Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
close up of Italian rolls topped with sesame seeds.
Print Recipe

Chewy Italian Sesame Rolls

These crusty rolls have that classic dense, chewy texture you find in old-school Italian bakeries - perfect for hoagies or dunking in sauce. The key is a lean dough without any enrichments. Makes 8 rolls.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Rise Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Bread
Keyword: chewy Italian sesame rolls, Italian sesame rolls, sesame rolls
Servings: 8 rolls
Calories: 267kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

  • 4 cups bread flour
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 egg white mixed with 1 tablespoon water for topping
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Mix. Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer or bread machine on the DOUGH cycle. Add water. Mix with a dough hook on low speed until ingredients come together, about 2 minutes.
    all ingredients in bowl.
  • Knead. Increase speed to medium and knead for 10-12 minutes until the dough is very smooth and elastic. The dough should be fairly stiff. You can also knead by hand, but it will take about 15 minutes at least.
    dough kneaded by hand on counter.
  • Rise. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
    dough ball resting in bowl.
  • Divide. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal pieces. (This makes a good sandwich size, but 12 or 16 pieces is better for dinner rolls)
    dough divided into 8 balls and resting on parchment paper.
  • Shape. Form each piece into a tight ball by pulling edges under and pinching to seal. Place on two parchment-lined baking sheets.
    dough ball shaped with edges pinched at bottom.
  • Proof. Cover shaped rolls with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until puffy but not double - about 45 minutes.
  • Prepare. Brush rolls gently with egg white mixture and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
    dough balls topped with sesame seeds.
  • Bake. Bake rolls at 375 ℉ for 25 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until deep golden brown and crusty. Cool on wire racks.

Notes

I also like to roll these into oval rolls for sandwiches. If you’re looking for a super soft sub roll, you won’t love these. They have a lot of chew!

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg