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Homemade Bread Rolls Easy – Crusty, Chewy, and Totally Worth It

Let’s talk bread. Not the pre-sliced, bagged stuff you grab in a rush—no, I’m talking about warm, crusty French bread rolls with chewy insides and golden, crackly tops. These are the kind of rolls that whisper, 'You did good' when you pull them out of the oven. We’re not going to overcomplicate it. Just a handful of pantry staples, a bit of patience, and your kitchen will smell like a dream. I made these one rainy Sunday and ended up skipping dinner—just slathered on butter and called it a night. Priorities. You don’t need to be a pro baker. If you can mix, knead (sort of), and have enough willpower not to eat the dough, you’re in. There’s a quiet joy in shaping dough with your hands—like edible stress therapy. These rolls are perfect for sandwiches, soups, or sneaking one at midnight like I may or may not have done last night. This recipe nails that bakery-level crust and chew without needing a brick oven or a magic spell. Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner or just want your house to smell like you know what you’re doing, these homemade bread rolls deliver.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: French
Keywords: bread recipes easy, easy baking bread recipes, easy crusty bread recipe, easy dinner bread recipes, french bread rolls easy recipe, homemade bread rolls easy, quick and easy bread recipes
Servings: 12 rolls
Author: Elena

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (give or take a little)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, stir the warm water, yeast, and sugar together. Let it sit until it looks foamy—like the top of a cappuccino. About 5–10 minutes.
  2. Add oil, salt, and 2 cups of the flour. Stir until it’s all mixed and sticky.
  3. Slowly add the rest of the flour, about a half cup at a time, mixing and kneading until the dough is soft, a little tacky, and springs back when poked.
  4. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about an hour. It should double in size. Take a breath. You’re doing great.
  5. Punch the dough down (gently but firmly—it’s not personal). Divide into 12 equal-ish portions and shape into rolls. Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  6. Cover and let them rise again for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.
  7. Bake the rolls for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and smelling like heaven.
  8. Let them cool just enough not to burn your mouth. Then? Butter. Lots of butter.