These mini bread rolls are soft, sweet, and packed with flavor. With a golden crust, a touch of honey, and the aroma of sesame, they are perfect for any occasion.
My Mini Bread Rolls Recipe
This is a recipe I’ve tested countless times, and it has never failed me.
You don’t need a stand mixer or any fancy equipment to make it, which is perfect for those who prefer to keep things simple.
Instead of using an oven, I rely on an air fryer, making the process much easier and more convenient, especially for busy households.
The air fryer not only shortens the baking time but also gives the bread rolls a perfectly golden crust. It’s a great option for anyone looking to try homemade bread without the complexity of traditional baking methods.
Whenever I make these bread rolls, my children can’t wait to dig in. They’re always hovering around the kitchen, asking, “When will they be ready?”
Their excitement grows even more as the irresistible aroma of the bread rolls fills the air while they’re air frying.
It’s these little moments that make baking at home so rewarding—watching my family eagerly anticipate something I’ve made from scratch.
After the dough has been proofed, it may appear sticky, but don’t worry—this is completely normal and part of the recipe.
That’s why I always grease the work surface before transferring the dough.
It makes handling much easier and prevents sticking. When it comes to kneading, there’s no need to use excessive force as you would with bun dough. Gentle kneading is all it takes to bring the dough together, ensuring it’s smooth and elastic without overworking it.
Why You‘ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples like flour, milk, and sugar.
- Air Fryer Friendly: No oven needed, making it accessible for small kitchens.
- Sweet and Savory: Honey glaze and sesame seeds add a delicious twist.
- Customizable: You can adjust the size or add toppings to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 300g bread flour (high-gluten flour)
- 30g sugar
- 20g corn oil
- 230g milk
- 3g yeast (high-sugar tolerant type)
- honey (for glaze, mixed with equal weight of water to make honey water)
- white sesame seeds (to taste)
- cooking oil (for greasing the work surface and brushing the rolls, I used corn oil)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
In a clean bowl, combine 30g sugar, 20g corn oil, and 3g yeast. Add 230g warm milk and stir with chopsticks or a whisk until the sugar and yeast are fully dissolved.
Pour this yeast mixture into a bowl containing 300g bread flour. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients form a rough, sticky dough. Avoid kneading with your hands at this stage to prevent sticking.
2. First Fermentation
Cover the dough with plastic wrap, place it in a bowl, and let it ferment in a warm and humid environment. You can use a steamer with warm water (ensure the water does not touch the bowl) or a proofing box set to 30–35°C with 70–80% humidity. Ferment for 40–90 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size.
3. Shape the Dough
Grease the work surface with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the dough and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Divide the dough into evenly sized portions. Shape each piece into a small round ball by folding the edges inward. Arrange the dough balls in the air fryer basket, lined with parchment paper greased with corn oil. Let the dough rest for a second proofing for about 20 minutes.
4. Baking and Decorating
After the second proofing, brush a layer of oil over the dough balls. Set the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) and bake for 12 minutes.
Remove the rolls and brush the surface with honey water (mix honey and water at a 1:1 ratio). Flip the rolls, brush the other side with honey water, and sprinkle with white sesame seeds. Return the rolls to the air fryer and bake at 160°C (320°F) for another 8 minutes.
Once done, remove the bread rolls from the air fryer and enjoy!
Notes
- To ensure even baking, arrange the dough balls with a bit of space between them in the air fryer basket.
- For best results, let the honey water soak into the bread rolls slightly before flipping them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use regular yeast instead of high-sugar tolerant yeast?
Yes, but high-sugar tolerant yeast ensures better fermentation in recipes with higher sugar content. - Can I bake these in an oven instead of an air fryer?
Absolutely! Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) and bake for the same duration. - Can I use other toppings instead of sesame seeds?
Yes, feel free to use poppy seeds, chopped nuts, or leave them plain. - How do I store leftover bread rolls?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or freeze them for up to a month. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.
Easy Air Fryer Mini Bread Rolls with Honey Glaze
Ingredients
- 300 g bread flour high-gluten flour
- 30 g sugar
- 20 g corn oil
- 230 g milk
- 3 g yeast high-sugar tolerant type
- honey for glaze, mixed with equal weight of water to make honey water
- white sesame seeds to taste
- cooking oil for greasing the work surface and brushing the rolls, I used corn oil
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a clean bowl, combine 30g sugar, 20g corn oil, and 3g yeast. Add 230g warm milk and stir with chopsticks or a whisk until the sugar and yeast are fully dissolved.
- Pour this yeast mixture into a bowl containing 300g bread flour. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until the ingredients form a rough, sticky dough. Avoid kneading with your hands at this stage to prevent sticking.
First Fermentation
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap, place it in a bowl, and let it ferment in a warm and humid environment. You can use a steamer with warm water (ensure the water does not touch the bowl) or a proofing box set to 30–35°C with 70–80% humidity. Ferment for 40–90 minutes, or until the dough doubles in size.
Shape the Dough
- Grease the work surface with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the dough and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into evenly sized portions. Shape each piece into a small round ball by folding the edges inward. Arrange the dough balls in the air fryer basket, lined with parchment paper greased with corn oil. Let the dough rest for a second proofing for about 20 minutes.
Baking and Decorating
- After the second proofing, brush a layer of oil over the dough balls. Set the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) and bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove the rolls and brush the surface with honey water (mix honey and water at a 1:1 ratio). Flip the rolls, brush the other side with honey water, and sprinkle with white sesame seeds. Return the rolls to the air fryer and bake at 160°C (320°F) for another 8 minutes.
- Once done, remove the bread rolls from the air fryer and enjoy!