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!

Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (1)

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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!

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • Kaiser rolls have a wonderful texture that combines a slightly crispy crust with a soft and fluffy interior! They are absolutely worth the effort!
  • Super cheap to make!
  • Kaiser buns are super versatile. They can be used for a lot of different kinds of sandwiches, burgers, and sliders and can even be shaped for hot dogs too!
  • Your family will LOVE them! There’s something special about freshly baked bread, and homemade Kaiser buns are no exception. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake and the satisfaction of serving warm, homemade rolls to your family is just so satisfying!
  • As with any homemade sandwich roll made from scratch, you can experiment with toppings, and flavors (add garlic, cheese, poppy seeds or sesame seeds, etc.) Make them your own!
  • 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
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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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)

Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (8)

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!

Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (10)

Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe

Shari Lynne

These Homemade Kaiser Rolls are Perfect for BBQ pork/chicken/beef sandwiches, hamburgers, or just plain! They freeze well also!

4.80 from 15 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Bread

Servings 6

Calories 367 kcal

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
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds or sesame seeds

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add 1 tablespoon sugar; let stand for 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly/foamy. Add the oil, salt, remaining warm water and sugar and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

  • Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place back into bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

  • Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 16 pieces or 8 if you want bigger rolls…I divided into 6 because I’m feeding 5 adult size peeps!

  • Shape each into a ball and than flatten just a bit to spread out a little. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

  • Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Beat egg white and a splash of cold water; brush over rolls with a pastry brush.

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

  • Brush top of kaiser buns with the egg wash

  • Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet to wire racks to cool.

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

Notes

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

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 785mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 3mg

Keyword Dinner, kaiser, kaiser buns, rolls, sandwich

PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow @FaithFilledFood or tag ##faithfilledfoodformoms

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

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Healthy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Baked Potato

Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (12)
Best Homemade Kaiser Roll Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes a Kaiser roll different? ›

What sets Kaiser rolls apart from other dinner rolls is their unique shape. Thick logs of the dough are crossed and folded into a knot that resembles a loaf of braided challah, but on a smaller scale. Make a batch of these yeasted rolls over the weekend and you'll have delicious rolls for sandwiches all week long.

Why are Kaiser rolls so good? ›

Texture and Mouthfeel: Kaiser rolls are known for their distinctive texture, and hard Kaiser rolls, in particular, have a crisp and crunchy exterior with a chewy interior. Some people enjoy the contrast in textures that hard rolls offer, finding the crunchiness satisfying.

What is the difference between a Kaiser roll and a bun? ›

Although Kaiser rolls are bigger than standard burger buns, they make excellent burger bread. They have a soft fluffy inside and a crusty outside, and the additional crispiness on the exterior gives your burger an excellent texture.

What can you use instead of Kaiser roll stamp? ›

If you don't have a stamp, shape the dough into knots that resemble the classic kaiser roll — for details watch our short video on how to shape knots.

Why are my Kaiser rolls dense? ›

Make sure the shaped bread doesn't rise too long before baking – it should only double in size. If it rises too much, the dough will collapse on itself during baking and the bread will have a dense, coarse or dry texture.

What is a German Kaiser roll? ›

The Kaiser roll (Emperor roll, German: Kaiserbrötchen (German: [ˈkaɪ̯zɐˌbʁøːtçən]), Slovene: kajzerica, Polish: kajzerka, Hungarian: Császárzsemle), also called a Vienna roll (Wiener Kaisersemmel; as made by hand also: Handsemmel), or a hard roll, is a typically round bread roll, originally from Austria.

What is the difference between a kaiser roll and a bulkie roll? ›

They are either plain or topped with poppy seeds. They are similar to and sometimes equated with kaiser rolls, but kaiser rolls are noticeably sweeter.

Are Kaiser rolls good for hamburgers? ›

Kaiser Roll

The bulk and fluffy interior of this classic bun, good versions of which can be found in most supermarkets, make it an excellent vehicle for big, juicy backyard burgers.

Do Kaiser rolls go bad? ›

When does kaiser roll expire? Unopened store-bought Kaiser rolls can last for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature, and another 2 days if stored in the refrigerator. If sealed and frozen, they can last a good 2 to 3 months.

How do you toast a Kaiser roll? ›

Split kaiser rolls and spread cut sides and outside tops and bottoms with mayonnaise. Working in batches, place cut-sides down on a rimmed baking sheet and broil until golden brown and toasted, 30 seconds–1 minute (watch closely). Flip buns and toast, cut-side up until golden, 30 seconds–1 minute.

What do Kaiser rolls taste like? ›

The exterior is crisp and tan colored, with a soft white inside. The flavor has a nutty grain taste and pleasant hints of yeast. Kaiser rolls can be served room temperature or hot.

What is Kaiser Brotchen? ›

The Kaiser roll is also called a Vienna roll or Semmel or Kaisersemmel or kaiserbroodje in Dutch. Think sweet smelling soft crumb and thin crispy crust, these rolls are on the other side of the artisan bread baking spectrum. But they deserve their place in your warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven home-baked bread repertoire!

Why are they called Kaiser rolls? ›

Kaiser rolls can be traced back to the 1700s in Austria where they were named to honor the Emperor, or Kaiser. In fact, the signature curved shape on top is said to resemble a crown. As a New Yorker, I simply knew these rolls as a staple in the corner bodega or from the breakfast street vendors.

What are Kaiser rolls used for? ›

We all know kaiser rolls are good for burgers...

But what you might not have known (until now) is that kaiser rolls make some awesome and easy mini pizzas! Instead of pizza dough, just grab a kaiser roll, cut it in half and top with your favorite pizza sauce, cheese and toppings.

What is a Kaiser stamp? ›

The Kaiser roll Stamp is a classic bakery staple, so no kitchen or bakery is complete without a Kaiser stamp. These plastic or metal markers are designed to imprint buns with the traditional Kaiser design or a more creative take on a well-established recipe.

What is the difference between Kaiser and hamburger buns? ›

Kaiser buns are usually larger in diameter than standard hamburger buns, which gives you ample room for bigger burgers and more toppings. The aforementioned texture also holds up better to juiciness and condiments than most other buns. They can absorb plenty of moisture without getting soggy and falling apart.

What is the difference between a Kaiser roll and a bulkie roll? ›

They are either plain or topped with poppy seeds. They are similar to and sometimes equated with kaiser rolls, but kaiser rolls are noticeably sweeter.

What is the difference between a bulky roll and a Kaiser roll? ›

Although some people may confuse these sandwich buns with kaiser rolls, bulkies are not as sweet as them, and kaiser rolls are more commonly sprinkled with poppy seeds on top.

What does a Kaiser roll taste like? ›

The exterior is crisp and tan colored, with a soft white inside. The flavor has a nutty grain taste and pleasant hints of yeast. Kaiser rolls can be served room temperature or hot.

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