This kaiser rolls recipe (sandwich roll or hamburger bun style) is so very easy to bake up and makes absolutely perfect hamburger buns and sandwich rolls!
Kaiser Rolls Recipe
These rolls turn out with a fabulous hard crust and tender, chewy bread center that holds up to all of your favorite hamburger toppings!
We end up making these a few times a month during the summer when everyone in the house really wants a grilled burger, as the best burgers are made at home - especially when paired with the perfect sandwich bun!
Minus the sesame seeds, these kaiser rolls are wonderful as a roll and taste great with a simple butter and jam topping. I know, as my daughter likes them for a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich too!!
Load these rolls up with my tasty Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe or creamy Slow Cooker Crack Chicken! Or enjoy them as dinner rolls with some hearty chicken noodle soup!
Want more amazing rolls for your sandwiches and burgers? Try my perfect pretzel roll buns and my soft brioche buns!
How To Make Kaiser Rolls
To make these fabulous kaiser rolls, start your yeast in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer by combining a half cup of the warm water (110-115 ºF / 44 ºC), 2 packages or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar.
Allow the yeast to activate for 5-10 minutes, or until nice and frothy.
Add the remaining warm water and sugar, as well as the oil, salt, and 4 cups of the flour.
Mix until smooth, then add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough ball.
Turn the dough ball out onto a well floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. I usually knead for 3 minutes, let the dough rest, then knead again for 4-5 minutes before placing the dough in a well oiled bowl. *If you're kneading the dough with your stand mixer, knead for 6 minutes.
When placing the kneaded dough into the oiled bowl, leave enough of a well of oil at the bowl bottom and turn the dough to coat all sides with the oil before covering with plastic wrap or a damp towel.
Leave the dough in a warm place to rise, usually about an hour.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Next divide the dough into 16 portions and shape each portion into a ball. To do this, I push up on the center of the dough and pull the edges down and pinched under to leave a nice smooth top on my rolls and buns.
Place the shaped dough balls onto a greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart. Cover them again with either plastic wrap or a damp towel, and allow them to double in size, usually about 30 minutes.
When the dough has risen again, beat the egg whites with cold water and then brush onto the tops of the rolls.
Sprinkle the tops with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, if desired, then bake in preheated oven at 400 ºF (205 ºC) for 15-20 minutes.
The rolls should be a light golden brown when done baking. Transfer immediately to a wire cooling rack and allow the rolls to cool to room temperature.
*The usual kaiser roll appearance is shaped, or made using a kaiser roll stamp. If you are shaping your kaiser rolls, turn them upside down when rising (after shaping). If you are using a kaiser roll stamp, be sure to press firmly into your divided dough rounds, but without pushing all of the way through the dough.
**New York Kaiser Rolls are usually topped with caraway seeds, another wonderful topping on these sandwich rolls!!
Do You Toast Kaiser Rolls for Burgers?
You certainly can toast kaiser rolls for your burgers and sandwiches. However, it is not necessary and completely up to your own individual taste and preference.
How To Toast Kaiser Rolls (3 Ways)
Kaiser Rolls Toasted In An Oven – To toast your kaiser rolls in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 ºF ( 176 ºC ). Slice rolls in half and place the buns on your middle oven rack, they can face upward or downward. Toast until fully warmed and slightly browned and crispy, between 3-5 minutes. *They can also be quickly broiled, on a rack at the top of your oven. Don’t turn your back on the bun halves though, as they will easily burn!
Kaiser Rolls Toasted In A Pan – Bring a large frying pan to medium high heat. Butter each open side of the kaiser roll. Then toast each roll half, cut side down, until lightly golden.
Kaiser Rolls Toasted On The Grill -Once your meats are done on the grill, set the rolls on the grill, cut side down and toast for about 1 minute. They can also be set on the warming rack of your barbecue. They will toast nicely with less chance of burning. No one likes burnt buns ?
Once toasted, wrap your rolls in a towel or aluminum foil to keep them fresh. They can be toasted and kept warm for about 30 minutes prior to your meal.
Storing and Freezing Kaiser Rolls
Store any unused kaiser rolls in an airtight container. They will be best within the first two days, but will last up to 5 days at room temperature. If refrigerated (in an airtight container), the rolls will last up to 5-7 days.
I have found that if my kaiser rolls are not used within 1-2 days, that the best way to store them is to freeze them. Place into a freezer storage bag or wrap tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil. Kaiser rolls will freeze for up to a month.
📖 Recipe Card
Kaiser Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Kaiser Rolls
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (2 packages)
- 2 cups water (divided - ½ c and 1 ½ c, warm water approx 110-115 degrees F/44 degrees C)
- 4 tablespoon sugar (divided - 1 tablespoon and 3 Tbsp)
- ⅓ cups olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 6-6 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Topping
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoon water (cold)
- sesame seeds (optional, or poppy seeds)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add ½ cup of the warm water, yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Allow yeast to dissolve for 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining warm water and sugar, the oil, salt and 4 cups of the flour. Combine until smooth and then add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft ball of dough.
- Turn out onto a well floured work surface, then knead until smooth and elastic (usually about 7 minutes). *If you're kneading the dough with your stand mixer, knead for 6 minutes.
- Place into a greased bowl, rolling through the oil to coat the top of the dough as well. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about an hour).
- Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide into 16 portions and shape each into a ball. Place on greased baking sheets in rows 2 inches apart, cover and allow to double in size again (about 30 minutes).
- Beat egg white and cold water, then brush onto the rolls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional, use poppy seeds if desired). Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, rolls should be golden brown. Remove immediately to wire racks to cool.
Notes
Storing and Freezing Kaiser Rolls
Store any unused kaiser rolls in an airtight container. They will be best within the first two days, but will last up to 5 days at room temperature. If refrigerated (in an airtight container), the rolls will last up to 5-7 days. I have found that if my kaiser rolls are not used within 1-2 days, that the best way to store them is to freeze them. Place into a freezer storage bag or wrap tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil. Kaiser rolls will freeze for up to a month.Nutrition
Penny says
I have been making this recipe with instant yeast, adding crispy fried onion every 6 days I top with cheese and bake. We use these for do many things, and they toast up marvelously in my wide mouth toaster ❤️
Maureen says
These are good! I love how there is no butter since butter is so expensive now. Also not too sweet, I paired it with my homemade burgers, so yummy.
Mike says
Great taste (had the neibour kid begging for a piece as it was baking). Nice and soft. Although I divided into 12, and made 6 big hamburger buns, and 6 extra long hotdog buns, for the PC long hotdogs.and use a bit of flour onto of the egg wash, for that floured look and texture.
Sandra Martin says
This recipe is fabulous. Like others, I have been looking for ‘The one’ with perfect chewiness and the perfect pillowy inside. Perfect for pulled pork. Thanks for sharing. This is a keeper for sure. Can’t wait to make them again for beef dip. 😋
SH TAn says
Can i use high gluten flour instead of all purpose flour ? Thank you for your kind reply .
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I would use high gluten (bread flour) flour with yeast bread, yes. I haven't used it for this recipe as it isn't necessary for good results. However, you may actually enjoy the results more. Remember with the higher protein content, your bread will rise more, brown faster, and have a chewier texture. Thanks for asking and do share your results if you try it with the high gluten flour!
Lea Brown says
In my quest for the perfect hamburger bun... I tried many recipes until I came to yours. I baked your buns and thought that they tasted ok. I then thought about the taste that I was going for. Yours were the closest. I then added just one more tablespoon of sugar and WOW! I had THE perfect hamburger bun! So very grateful that you posted this recipe! I can't eat store bought any more!