Bread & rolls
Sesame and sunflower rolls
These rolls combine mostly white dough with a seeded surface.
- Total time
- 230 min
- Servings / pieces
- 10
- Topic
- Bread & rolls
These rolls combine mostly white dough with a seeded surface. Add seeds externally so they visibly toast without weighing down the crumb. Different shapes work provided the portions have equal weights. The timing includes the stated rises, which can take longer in a cool kitchen. Watch volume and dough tension as well as the clock. Weigh flour and liquid, keeping extra dusting flour separate from the measured dough ingredients.
Method
Step by step
- 01
Mix
Combine flours, water, yeast, salt and oil. Mix seeds separately on a plate.
- 02
Develop the dough
Knead for about eight to ten minutes by hand or at low mixer speed. The dough should become cohesive and elastic. Brief pauses help if the mixture still tears readily while you are working it.
- 03
Let rise
Cover and rise for 75 minutes until noticeably lighter.
- 04
Shape
Shape ten equal pieces into rounds or ovals. Moisten the surface, press into seeds and prove on the tray for 35–45 minutes.
- 05
Bake
Bake at a preheated 220°C conventional for 20–24 minutes. Seeds should turn golden rather than black.
- 06
Cool
Cool on a wire rack so steam can escape from the underside too. Slice only once the crumb is no longer hot; cutting too early can compress the interior and make it seem gummy.
Times are a guide. Your hob, oven and ingredients affect the result; use the cooking cues as well as the clock.
Ingredients and dough texture
A little wholemeal flour adds flavour without making very dense rolls. Use unsalted sesame and sunflower seeds. Remove loose fallen seeds from the tray before baking to prevent burning.
Serving and storing
Split for breakfast or make small sandwiches. Freeze surplus rolls on baking day and refresh later in the oven. For softer breakfast rolls, avoid additional drying after the main bake. For a stronger crust, leave them uncovered during the final minutes. Equal portion weight matters more than perfectly identical shapes in either case.
Kitchen questions
One more question?
Why do seeds fall off?
The surface needs slight moisture before coating.
Can I use pumpkin seeds?
Yes; roughly chop large seeds so they sit more securely.
