Crusty French Bread Rolls

Crusty French Bread Rolls are chewy, crusty, and soft and fluffy on the inside. These rolls are so delicious when they are hot out of the oven and are the perfect staple on your dinner table!

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Easy French bread rolls

If you love bread recipes, check out my easy olive and herb focaccia, or these delicious pull apart rosemary garlic dinner rolls.

There’s this restaurant in Massachusetts called Bertucci’s and they have these super crusty bread rolls that are undeniably the best rolls you’ve ever had. They are crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and they are served piping hot in a little basket. It’s a great way to get the family around the table.

French bread rolls are my favorite thing to make on the weekends. They go great with basically any kind of meal you are making! These rolls take a little but of time, but that’s what the weekend is for- taking it slow and easy!

These crusty French bread rolls are perfect for sopping up red wine pasta sauce or penne alla vodka sauce! They can be pulled in half easily and are just SO good when they are fresh out of the oven!

With the holidays coming up, I want you to have the best, most delicious food on your table, so I’ve been developing this recipe for months! I have perfected these bread rolls so they are light and fluffy on the inside, but crispy and crunchy on the outside. Their flavor is so well developed thanks to their extended rising time and resting time in the fridge. All good things take time.

Crusty bread rolls recipe ingredients

• Water- The water needs to be about 110 degrees so it’s warm enough to activate the yeast but not too hot or it will kill the yeast.
• Yeast- I use active dry yeast, but if you don’t have a lot of time you can opt for quick rising yeast.
• Honey- Honey helps feed and activate the yeast in these bread rolls.
• All-purpose flour- Unbleached flour makes these rolls flavorful fluffy.
• Salt- Salt is used to better flavor the bread rolls.

Chef’s tips

Make them your own

You can switch up the flavor of these rolls easily with fresh herbs! You can add fresh thyme or rosemary to the rolls to flavor them even more. Roasted garlic is also another great option!

Make them ahead of time

These rolls need to be refrigerated for 4 hours before they are baked, but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days in advance before they are baked.

Alternatively, you can bake these ahead of time before you serve them. These rolls stay good for 2-3 days in an airtight container on the counter.

Use fresh yeast

This recipe relies on the yeast to do it’s job, so make sure the yeast is fresh and still alive. The yeast should get foamy when it is proofed. If there is no foam, toss it and buy new, fresh yeast.

Make these even faster

I have made these French rolls so many different ways to understand every step of the process. You can make these rolls using quick rise yeast instead of acitve dry yeast.

If you decide to use quick rising yeast, the bread will rise in half the instructed time. You can refrigerate the bread rolls for 2 hours or up to 2 days.

How to make French bread rolls

1. Proof the yeast. Add 110 degree water, honey, and the yeast to a mixing bowl and mix it. Allow the mixture to proof for about 10 minutes. The yeast will get foamy.
2. Add the ingredients. Combine the flour and salt to the water mixture in the mixing bowl. Mix the mixture and kneed for about 8 minutes to activate the gluten. The dough will be sticky.
3. Allow the boule to rise, a couple of times. Place the boule in a well-oiled bowl and place a damp kitchen towel over the top of the bowl. Place the bowl in a warm, draft-free area (like inside a turned-off microwave) and allow the bread to rise for 45 minutes. Fold the dough into itself on all four edges of the dough. Cover the bowl with the towel and allow it to rise again for 30-45 minutes.
4. Shape the rolls. Scatter flour on a flat work surface, then dump the dough onto it. Divide the dough into 4 equal sections. Divide the dough again in half into equal pieces. Fold the four edges of the dough under itself, then smooth the bottom and place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or a 9 X 9 baking dish (whatever fits easier in your fridge).
5. Refrigerate the French bread rolls. Place the rolls in the fridge and refrigerate for 4 hours or up to 2 days.
6. Bake the rolls. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. While the oven preheats, take the rolls out of the fridge and place them on the counter so they have time to warm up. Flick a little water onto the top of the bread rolls by wetting the tips of your fingers and flicking. Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven to 400 degrees, then continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, until the tops are golden.

Why refrigerate these bread rolls

Placing the dough in the refrigerator allows the yeast to slow down the fermentation process and better develop the flavor. This step is not necessary and is time-consuming, but it really does add a whole lot of flavor to the rolls!

Italian dishes to serve with these crusty French bread rolls

• Linguine with littleneck clams in a delicious white wine sauce is the perfect, easy Italian dinner that will impress the crowd!
• This classic vegetarian minestrone soup is the perfect bowl to warm up to! It’s packed with hearty vegetables and pasta for a filling and healthy meal.
• Authentic Italian beef braciole (braciola) is made with tender skirt steak that is rolled with bread crumbs, provolone cheese, and prosciutto, then simmer in a red wine tomato sauce. This is perfect for a hearty Sunday dinner!
• This easy five-minute marinara sauce is made with vine-ripened crushed tomatoes, basil, garlic, and onion to deliver the best tasting pasta sauce ever!
• Crab stuffed manicotti with homemade alfredo sauce is an easy Italian- American dinner that is hearty, creamy, and packed with cheesy deliciousness!

More Sea Salt Savorings classics

• Sheet Pan Gnocchi Caprese with Asiago Spinach Sausage
• Mojo Chicken (baked, grilled, or stovetop!)
• Chicken Margherita(grilled, baked, or stove top!)
• Small Apartment Design
• Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay in touch! I love to see your creations! Tag me at #SeaSaltSavorings to show me what you’ve made!