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Sesame Hoagie Roll Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the yeasty goodness of fresh, hot bread, right? This Sesame Roll recipe is pretty easy (the stand mixer does most of the work!) and bakes up hot, firm rolls perfect for anything fresh from your barbecue (bratwurst, I am looking at you).

This photo shows homemade hoagie rolls on a wooden cutting board to illustrate this Sesame Hoagie Roll Recipe.

Whenever people find out what I do for a living, I am asked a lot of questions. It’s natural since saying that “I’m a freelance writer and recipe developer,” isn’t as clear cut as saying “I’m a lawyer.” People know what the latter profession is, but aren’t quite sure what to make of mine — especially since I write about food, travel, parenting and whatever else I feel like.

I get it. It’s different.

Among the questions I am frequently asked is whether I cook or bake. I always answer that I cook and am not much of a baker. But that’s not entirely true. I do bake, but it’s such a science that I don’t find the same enjoyment in it that I do when I create a delicious new dinner recipe.

Still, sometimes, I just feel like baking.

Today was one of those times. I just wanted to bake, feeling the stickiness of dough that’s ready to rise and breathing in the aroma of freshly baked bread. 

There is something deeply satisfying about combining active dry yeast with warm water and sugar and watching it foam and bubble. And then taking that mixture and stirring it into flour, salt and oil to make a messy concoction that needs to be kneaded (by the mixer, naturally!) to create a sticky, doughy ball that will rise, get punched down, be shaped and then rise again before baking to golden, crusty goodness.

This photo shows Sesame Rolls Ready to Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

This sesame roll recipe is adapted from the focaccia recipe I have made again and again and again over the last eight years or so. That’s my go-to base recipe for creating everything from traditional focaccia to rolls. It’s even good for homemade pretzels — if you are so inclined.

For this hoagie roll recipe, I’ve changed up the method and the ingredients. I have also changed the shape of the loaves it produces, changed the glaze and added toasted sesame seeds (natch).

Since this sesame roll recipe is based on a tried and true recipe, I knew it would produce a strong bread perfect for holding sausages just off the grill. You can’t use wimpy breads for that — something strong like these homemade hoagie rolls is essential. And basing this off that trusted recipe made it easy to develop a method for how to make hoagie rolls.

Besides the joy of turning a few ingredients into a crusty bread, I also love that when I make my own homemade hoagie rolls, they always are just the right size.

I mean, really, is there anything good about having a roll that is either way too long or way too short? Nah, I didn’t think so.

A sesame roll that’s the perfect size? Totally a good thing.

Sesame Rolls are shown on a wooden cutting board.

These rolls I made to hold some delicious bratwurst that I picked up at Whole Foods a while back and froze. I grilled the brats and then piled them high with sauerkraut (and mustard, if you like — but I don’t do mustard). They were the perfect vessel for my favorite wurst (aka sausage). Everybody loved them, and the super fresh bread really made the meal.

But you could use these homemade hoagie rolls for so many things — steak, pepper and onion sandwiches, deli meat sandwiches, chicken parmesan sandwiches and more.

No, baking isn’t an everyday thing for me. But when I feel like it, this hoagie roll recipe is totally worth whipping up.

What’s your favorite type of sausage?

Sesame Hoagie Roll Recipe

Sesame Hoagie Roll Recipe

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 envelope active dry yeast
  • 1/4 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 egg white, , lightly beaten
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, add the water, yeast and sugar and let sit until foamy (3-5 minutes). Stir.
  2. In a larger bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Add the oil and yeast mixture and stir until just barely combined. The dough should be crumbly. Transfer the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Process on low for 7 minutes, allowing the stand mixer to knead the dough.
  3. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Place in a warm, draft-free place to rise for 1 hour.
  4. Punch dough the dough and knead for 1 minute. Divide into four balls. Roll each ball into a long rod and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft- free place. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the towel and slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden. Cool. Then slice open and use as desired.

Marguerite

Wednesday 20th of July 2022

Doubled came out perfect as hoagies, 8 Sunday and 12 rolls today. They go fast! Subbed 5 tablespoons of corn starch and 4 3/4 cups all purpose flour.

Heather H

Tuesday 21st of June 2022

Such a simple and delicious recipe! I’m recovering from surgery and was able to throw them together tonight for some sausage and homemade sauerkraut rolls. Soo soo good! Printed it out right away for the future💕💕

Becki

Monday 20th of June 2022

I make these all of the time with varying toppings! Also I do them as sub rolls or burger buns. My absolute favorite sandwich/roll recipe!

Nick

Thursday 23rd of September 2021

I followed the recipe to a T and these turned out extremely tiny, I let them rise properly and everything. Are they suppose to be so short?

Sarah Walker Caron

Sunday 10th of October 2021

Hi Nick, these should be about the length of a sausage. The trick is rolling them to the proper length before they rise. They will puff up but not get any longer on the rise.

Sandra Valente

Monday 27th of April 2020

Thank you! Found this recipe yesterday and I'm over the moon. Best, and I mean the best, bread rolls I've ever made.

Sarah Walker Caron

Monday 27th of April 2020

Sandra, I am so glad you tried them and SO glad they worked so well for you!

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