Fluffy Homemade Artisan Rolls Recipe: Bakery-Fresh Magic

Warm, crusty artisan rolls send waves of comfort through any kitchen, filling the air with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone closer.

These hand-crafted breads promise a rustic charm that store-bought versions can never match.

Baking artisan rolls at home connects you with centuries-old bread-making traditions and simple ingredients.

Each golden-brown roll emerges from the oven with a crisp exterior and tender, pillowy center that melts in your mouth.

The process might seem intimidating, but with a few expert techniques, you can create bakery-quality bread right on your countertop.

Perfectly imperfect and bursting with flavor, these rolls will become your new weekend baking obsession.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to transform your bread game with this straightforward, delicious recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15min

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 hours 35min

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes in Artisan Rolls

• Bread Flour: Provides strong gluten structure for chewy, stretchy texture with robust wheat flavor.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation for balanced bread development.
• Yeast: Crucial living organism that creates rise and develops complex bread aroma.
• Water: Activates gluten and helps bind ingredients into smooth, elastic dough.

• Parchment Paper: Creates non-stick surface and prevents rolls from burning during baking.
• Additional Flour: Used for dusting work surface and preventing sticky dough from adhering, ensuring smooth shaping process.

• Zip Lock Bag: Provides airtight environment for freezing and preserving artisan rolls' freshness.

Essential Tools for Artisan Rolls

• medium-large bowl: perfect for mixing dough ingredients and initial rising.
• whisk: essential for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• rubber spatula: sturdy tool for mixing wet and dry ingredients without lumps.
• plastic wrap: covers bowl during long fermentation process.
• sheet pan: holds rolls during second rise and baking.
• parchment paper: prevents rolls from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• bench scraper: helps handle sticky dough and divide portions evenly.
• cooling rack: allows rolls to cool evenly without getting soggy bottoms.
• measuring cups: for accurate flour measurements.
• zip lock bag: ideal for storing frozen rolls.

Instructions for Artisan Rolls Dough

Overnight Bread Wonderland

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a spacious bowl. Create a center well and pour water, blending with a spatula until fully combined. The mixture will appear wet and messy – this is perfect. Cover and let rest at room temperature for 10-12 hours.

• Morning Transformation

After resting, the dough will look bubbly and slightly chaotic with a puffy surface.

• Baking Setup

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat oven to 425°F.

• Surface Dusting

Sprinkle flour generously across your work area. Transfer dough onto the surface, coating it thoroughly with flour using gentle movements.

• Roll Creation

Separate dough into 12-16 portions. Shape each into a round ball by pulling edges underneath and creating a smooth top. Place on prepared pan with pinched side facing upward. Allow rolls to rest for 20 minutes.

• Oven Magic

When baked, the rolls will dramatically transform, becoming beautifully golden and unexpectedly puffy.

• Baking Process

Slide pan into oven. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate, then continue baking 5 more minutes until rich golden brown. Transfer to cooling rack.

• Storage Strategy

For advance preparation, freeze rolls after initial cooling. When ready to serve, thaw and reheat at 325°F for 10-12 minutes.

Artisan Rolls: Expert Tweaks and Changes

• Sprinkle dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough before the first rise to create aromatic, flavor-packed rolls that complement any meal.
• Adjust hydration levels by adding slightly more or less water to control the rolls' crumb structure – more water creates airier rolls, while less water produces denser bread.
• Brush rolls with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, everything bagel seasoning, or sesame seeds before baking to add extra crunch and gourmet appeal.
• Store rolls in an airtight container with a piece of bread to maintain moisture, or slice and freeze immediately after cooling to lock in just-baked freshness for weeks.

How to Serve Artisan Rolls Right

• Rustic Breakfast Companion: Pair these artisan rolls with soft scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a dollop of fresh herb butter for a morning feast.
• Hearty Sandwich Canvas: Create gourmet sandwiches by slicing the rolls and filling with roasted turkey, sharp cheddar, and crisp lettuce for a delightful lunch option.
• Soup-Side Superstar: Serve warm rolls alongside a steaming bowl of tomato bisque or creamy potato soup, perfect for dipping and soaking up every delicious drop.
• Mediterranean Mezze Plate: Complement the rolls with hummus, marinated olives, feta cheese, and sliced cucumbers for a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer spread.

Artisan Rolls: Prep and Storage Wisdom

• Quick Counter Rest: Let artisan rolls sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours after cooling, ensuring optimal texture and flavor retention.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for 3-4 days, maintaining freshness and preventing moisture loss.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap individual rolls in aluminum foil before placing in freezer bags, which protects against freezer burn and preserves quality for up to 3 months.
• Room Temperature Storage Tip: Keep rolls in a bread box or paper bag with a slightly open top, allowing minimal air circulation to prevent soggy surfaces while maintaining soft interior crumb.

Rustic Artisan Rolls

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• Total Time: 10 hours 35min
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade artisan rolls blend rustic Italian bread techniques with modern baking passion. Crisp crusts and airy interiors invite home cooks to savor fresh, warm comfort straight from their kitchen ovens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (960 ml) bread flour
• 2 cups (480 ml) room-temperature tap water
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Merge bread flour, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Create a central well and introduce water. Blend ingredients thoroughly with a sturdy spatula until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough forms. Cover with plastic wrap and allow natural fermentation at room temperature for 10-12 hours.
2. Dough Development: After fermentation, the dough will exhibit a bubbly, expanded surface with distinctive fermentation characteristics. Generously flour a work surface and gently transfer the dough, coating it with flour using a bench scraper.
3. Shaping: Divide the dough into 12-16 consistent portions. Shape each segment by tucking edges underneath to create smooth, rounded rolls. Position rolls pinched-side upward on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining a rustic aesthetic. Let rest for 20 minutes.
4. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 425ºF. The resting rolls might appear slightly deflated but will dramatically transform during baking.
5. Baking Process: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate the pan, then continue baking for an additional 5 minutes until achieving a rich golden color. Immediately transfer rolls to a cooling rack.
6. Storage and Reheating: For advanced preparation, remove rolls when pale golden. Cool completely, then freeze individually. Once solidified, transfer to a freezer bag. To serve, thaw and reheat at 325˚F for 10-12 minutes to restore optimal freshness and texture.

Notes

• Master Fermentation Timing: Allow 10-12 hours for slow, cool fermentation to develop complex flavor profiles and create signature artisan texture.
• Flour Dusting Technique: Liberally coat work surface and dough to prevent sticking and achieve professional-level handling without tearing delicate dough structure.
• Shape with Precision: Tuck dough edges underneath when forming rolls to create smooth, rounded exterior and ensure consistent, professional-looking bread presentation.
• Strategic Freezing Method: Individually freeze par-baked rolls to maintain quality, enabling convenient fresh-baked bread preparation anytime without compromising taste or texture.

• Prep Time: 15min
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Global

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg