These soft and fluffy cheese and sesame rolls are golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and topped with plenty of melted cheese and fragrant sesame seeds. They make a delicious homemade bread for breakfast, brunch, dinner, or a cozy family meal.
The dough is enriched with milk, olive oil, and egg white, giving the rolls a soft, pillowy texture. For an extra cheesy surprise, you can also hide a small piece of mozzarella or feta inside each roll before baking.
Recipe Overview
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Rising Time | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Baking Time | 20–25 minutes |
| Total Time | About 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Servings | 10–12 rolls |
| Oven Temperature | 180°C / 350°F |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Why You’ll Love These Cheese Rolls
These homemade rolls are wonderfully soft and fluffy, with a golden, cheesy topping that becomes beautifully gratinated in the oven.
The dough is simple to prepare and uses everyday ingredients such as flour, milk, yeast, oil, and eggs.
For even more flavor, each dough ball can be filled with mozzarella or feta before baking. When you pull the warm bread apart, you’ll get a delicious melted-cheese center.
They are also versatile enough to serve alongside soups, salads, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or your favorite main dishes.
Ingredients
For the Dough
| Ingredient | Amount |
| All-purpose flour | 500 g |
| Dry active yeast | 7 g / 1 packet |
| Warm milk | 250 ml |
| Warm water | 100 ml |
| Olive oil or vegetable oil | 60 ml |
| Granulated sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Egg white | 1 large |
For the Topping
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Egg yolk | 1 |
| Milk | 1 tablespoon |
| Shredded cheese | 150 g |
| Sesame seeds | 1–2 tablespoons |
Optional Cheese Filling
You can use small cubes or pieces of mozzarella or feta cheese to fill the center of the dough balls.
Mozzarella gives you a stretchy, melty center, while feta provides a saltier and more pronounced flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
Add the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and dry yeast to a large mixing bowl.
Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes.
The surface should become slightly foamy, which indicates that the yeast is active.
Make sure the liquids are warm rather than hot. Very hot liquid can interfere with the yeast.
2. Make the Dough
Add the olive oil, egg white, and salt to the yeast mixture.
Gradually add the flour, mixing as you go.
Once the dough begins to come together, knead it for approximately 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, soft, and elastic.
The dough should feel slightly soft but should not be excessively sticky. If necessary, add a small amount of flour, one tablespoon at a time.
3. Let the Dough Rise
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Place it in a warm, draft-free area and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it has approximately doubled in size.
The exact rising time can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
4. Shape the Rolls
Once the dough has risen, gently press it down to release excess air.
Transfer it to a lightly floured work surface.
Divide the dough into 10–12 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
For cheesy centers, flatten each piece slightly, place a small amount of mozzarella or feta in the middle, then carefully seal the dough around the cheese.
Place the finished balls seam-side down.
5. Second Rise
Lightly grease a baking dish.
Arrange the dough balls close together in the dish so that they can bake into a soft, pull-apart bread.
Cover loosely with a clean towel and allow them to rise for about 20 minutes.
6. Add the Topping
Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of milk.
Brush this mixture gently over the tops of the risen dough balls.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the rolls.
Finish with 1–2 tablespoons of sesame seeds.
7. Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the rolls are beautifully golden and the cheese on top is melted and lightly browned.
If the tops begin browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
8. Cool and Serve
Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
Serve them warm or slightly cooled while the cheese is still soft and delicious.
Best Tips
Use properly warmed milk and water when activating the yeast. The liquids should feel comfortably warm, not hot.
Avoid adding too much flour. A slightly soft dough produces lighter and fluffier rolls.
Knead the dough thoroughly for 8–10 minutes to help develop its structure and create a soft texture.
For evenly sized rolls, divide the dough using a kitchen scale.
Do not skip the second rise. This short resting period helps the rolls become lighter and softer after baking.
For an extra golden crust, brush the egg wash evenly over the tops without soaking the dough.
Best Cheese Options
Mozzarella is an excellent choice if you want a stretchy, melty topping and filling.
Emmental adds a mild, nutty flavor and melts beautifully.
Cheddar gives the rolls a richer and slightly sharper cheese flavor.
A combination of mozzarella and cheddar creates a particularly flavorful topping.
For the filling, feta can be used when you prefer a salty, creamy center.
Recipe Variations
For garlic cheese rolls, mix a little minced garlic and chopped parsley into the shredded cheese before adding it to the tops.
For herb cheese rolls, add dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning to the topping.
For a spicy version, sprinkle a small amount of chili flakes or paprika over the cheese.
For extra cheesy rolls, place a generous cube of mozzarella inside each dough ball before sealing.
You can also add finely chopped fresh parsley or chives to the dough for a fresh, savory flavor.
What to Serve With
These soft cheese rolls are delicious alongside creamy soups, tomato soup, vegetable soup, or chicken soup.
They make a wonderful side dish for roasted chicken, grilled beef, baked fish, or roasted vegetables.
For breakfast or brunch, serve them with eggs, fresh vegetables, olives, or a simple salad.
They are also perfect as a snack served warm with a little butter or your favorite dip.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the dough in advance and allow it to rise slowly in the refrigerator.
After kneading, place the covered dough in the refrigerator and let it rest overnight.
The next day, allow the dough to come closer to room temperature before shaping the rolls.
For the best texture, add the cheese topping shortly before baking.
Storage
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Because homemade bread can dry out in the refrigerator, reheating is recommended before serving.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat the rolls in a 160°C / 320°F oven for approximately 5–8 minutes.
You can also microwave an individual roll for about 15–25 seconds, although the oven will give you a better texture.
Freezing
Allow the baked rolls to cool completely before freezing.
Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper if necessary.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months for the best quality.
Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a preheated oven until warm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using water or milk that is too hot can affect the yeast and prevent the dough from rising properly.
Adding too much flour can make the rolls dense and dry instead of soft and fluffy.
Skipping the first rise will result in a heavier bread with less volume.
Overfilling the dough balls with cheese can make them difficult to seal and may cause the cheese to leak during baking.
Baking at too high a temperature can brown the cheese before the center of the rolls is fully baked.
Nutrition Estimate
Nutrition will vary depending on the type of cheese and oil used.
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount Per Roll |
| Calories | 250–290 kcal |
| Protein | 9–11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30–34 g |
| Fat | 10–13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4–6 g |
| Fiber | 1–2 g |
| Sugar | 2–3 g |
| Sodium | 350–450 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes. Instant yeast can be mixed directly with the flour, although you can also dissolve it in the warm milk and water as written in this recipe.
Can I make these rolls without an egg?
Yes. You can replace the egg white in the dough with a small amount of additional milk or water. For the topping, brush the rolls with milk or cream instead of egg wash.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
You can replace part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. For a soft texture, it is better to start by replacing about 25–30% of the flour rather than using 100% whole wheat flour.
Why are my rolls not fluffy?
The most common causes are inactive yeast, adding too much flour, insufficient kneading, or not allowing enough time for the dough to rise.
Can I use different toppings?
Absolutely. Try sesame seeds, nigella seeds, poppy seeds, dried herbs, grated Parmesan, or a combination of your favorite toppings.
Can I fill every roll with cheese?
Yes. Small cubes of mozzarella work especially well because they melt beautifully inside the rolls.
Final Thoughts
These Soft Cheese & Sesame Dinner Rolls are an easy homemade bread recipe that combines a fluffy interior with a golden, cheesy crust and fragrant sesame seeds.
Whether you serve them as a side dish, breakfast bread, brunch recipe, or comforting snack, they are best enjoyed warm when the cheese is still perfectly melted.
With a simple yeast dough and a few basic ingredients, you can create a beautiful pull-apart bread that is perfect for sharing with family and friends.