Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (2024)

You won’t believe how yummy and EASY this Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe is! These sandwich rolls are perfect for those end-of-the-month moments when money is tight and grocery supplies are running low. I’ve got over 20 homemade bread recipes anyone can make, that are super easy for anyone to make and that you might love too!

I lived on a tight budget for many years, so I’ve learned how to create something delicious out of almost nothing, like these Homemade Kaiser Rolls. And guess what? You can totally do it too! I’m here cheering you on, and I guarantee you’ll be amazed by how easy and delicious this Kaiser recipe is. Let’s turn those humble ingredients into mouthwatering goodness together!

It’s amazing how we always seem to run out of so many things by the end of the month, but hey, the good news is that I’m always prepared with a pantry full of simple cheap ingredients to make just about anything and I hope you are too!

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Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe

These Kaiser Rolls are an all-time favorite that are soft, fluffy, and truly deelish! My family loves them and they are great for making ahead and freezing too!

• Cooking Sheet~ I use a clay pizza round or baking sheet because cooking is very even and everything browns really nicely. I rarely burn anything when I use my clay baking sheets.
• Large mixing bowl ~ Although I have loved my big glass bowls over the years, I’m kind of a plastic with rubber on the bottom kind of girl these days…just so easy and makes just as good dough (don’t let anyone fool ya)
• Mixing spoon
• Pastry Brush ~ this is for spreading the egg wash on the top of the Kaiser bun. I LOVE my silicone ones.
• Sharp Knife ~ for cutting the slits on the top of the Kaiser Bread

Kaiser Roll Tips, Facts, and Ideas

• You DO NOT need a Kaiser Roll Stamp in order to shape Kaiser Rolls! Follow the simple step-by-step instructions and see just how easy it is to make a beautiful top without a Kaiser Roll Stamp.
• Kaiser Rolls can be made in any size you would like. It is a personal preference as to how big your Kaiser rolls are. In this Kaiser recipe, I tell you how to make 2 sizes.
• You can freeze Kaiser Rolls! Make sure you use an airtight container or bag to keep them fresh from the freezer.
• Kaiser Rolls make GREAT hamburger buns.
• For easy clean up you can use parchment paper.
• You do not need to use bread flour.
• The egg wash creates a golden brown crisp crust and shiny finish.

Kaiser Roll Ingredients:

• 2 packages active dry yeast or (if you use bulk yeast 1 1/2 Tbsp.)
• 2 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg white
• 2 teaspoons cold water
• Optional – poppy seeds or sesame seeds

Directions:

Put all of your dough ingredients into your large bowl. We start by dissolving the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water then Add 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly or foamy.

Then add the oil, salt, remaining warm water, sugar, and 4 cups of flour. Beat on low speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining (dry ingredients) flour to form a soft dough ball.

Turn your dough onto a lightly floured counter; knead until smooth and elastic (elastic means a little stretchy) This takes about 6-8 minutes of kneading. See the process for “How to Knead” in the picture below. It’s EASY and doesn’t have to be done perfectly!

Place the ball of dough back into a lightly greased bowl. I usually just lightly spray with cooking spray.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest. It should rise until doubled when in a warm place or at least at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface again; divide into 16 equal pieces or 8 equal pieces if you want bigger rolls OR 6 BIG equal pieces of dough.

I’m making 6 BIG Kaiser Rolls and I’m feeding 5 adult-size peeps and it was plenty!

Shape each piece of dough into a ball and then press down to flatten them just a bit to spread out to the size of dinner rolls you’d like.

Make sure to place each piece of dough 2 inches. apart on greased baking sheets (you can also use parchment paper for easy clean up) because they will be having another rising time again for a second time.

Cover the shaped rolls again and let them rise until doubled. This will take about 30 minutes.

With a sharp knife (I like non-stick knives), cut a 1/4-inch.-deep across on tops of rolls.

Make your egg wash by beating egg whites and a splash of cold water; brush the over rolls with a pastry brush. The picture looks yucky but trust me…this is what makes the crust golden brown, shiny and crispy!

Place rolls into a preheated oven at 400 degrees. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet to wire racks to cool.

Wait to cut until somewhat cooled down.

Makes 16 rolls small rolls, 8 medium rolls or 6 HUGE rolls (adult size)

We had these homemade Kaiser Rolls with this super simple Crockpot Barbequed Chicken and melted cheese on top! They were so yum and so filling…great end of the month meal for practically nothing!

Feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Enjoy my friends!!

Try these yummy recipes with your new Kaiser Rolls ~

Quick Easy Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Healthy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Baked Potato