Crusty French Bread Rolls (Printable)

Golden crispy rolls with tender inside, ideal for any meal

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
03 - 2 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp sugar

→ Topping

06 - 1 tbsp flour for dusting

# How To Cook:

01 - Combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball or oval.
05 - Place rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise for 30-40 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a tray of water on the bottom rack to create steam for a crustier exterior.
07 - Dust roll tops lightly with flour. Slash each roll with a sharp knife. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
08 - Transfer rolls to a wire rack and cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These rolls have that perfect crackle when you bite through the crust
  • The dough is forgiving and comes together faster than you would expect
  • Your kitchen will smell like a French bakery for hours
02 -
  • The steam from the water tray is what creates that professional bakery crust
  • Let the rolls cool completely before storing or they will get soggy inside
03 -
  • Spritz the rolls with water right before baking for extra crunch
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one for an even better bottom crust

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