Easy Kaiser Rolls Recipe - Crispy Homemade German Rolls - All Tastes German (2024)

FAQs

What is a German kaiser roll? ›

What are Kaiser Rolls? Kaisersemmeln are traditionally from Austria but they have long been a common item in Germany. They are a type of bread roll but unlike most American bread rolls, they have more of a crust with a soft and fluffy inside and are often used to make sandwiches or for brotzeit.

It is generally best to store Kaiser rolls in a cool, dry place and to consume them within a day or two of baking for optimal freshness and texture. If they start to dry out, they can be re-moistened by wrapping them in foil and heating them in the oven for a few minutes.

The exterior is crisp and tan colored, with a soft white inside. The flavor has a nutty grain taste and pleasant hints of yeast. Kaiser rolls can be served room temperature or hot.

Texture and Mouthfeel: Kaiser rolls are known for their distinctive texture, and hard Kaiser rolls, in particular, have a crisp and crunchy exterior with a chewy interior. Some people enjoy the contrast in textures that hard rolls offer, finding the crunchiness satisfying.

Walk by any deli, sandwich shop, or coffee counter and you'll see Kaiser rolls stacked sky-high. Sometimes they are plain, but more often the tops are coated with thick layers of nutty sesame or poppy seeds. These crusty yeasted rolls are soft and fluffy on the inside.

The tops of the rounded bread rolls are traditionally carved into five segments to resemble a star-shaped crown, per TasteAtlas. The buns are believed to have been named after Kaiser Franz Joseph I (1830-1916), who reportedly enjoyed feasting on them in the morning with some tea and cold meat.

Storage: Store the bread properly in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as it can accelerate the staling process. Instead, keep it in a bread box or a paper bag, which allows for air circulation and helps maintain the crust's crispness.

When does kaiser roll expire? Unopened store-bought Kaiser rolls can last for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature, and another 2 days if stored in the refrigerator. If sealed and frozen, they can last a good 2 to 3 months.

Split kaiser rolls and spread cut sides and outside tops and bottoms with mayonnaise. Working in batches, place cut-sides down on a rimmed baking sheet and broil until golden brown and toasted, 30 seconds–1 minute (watch closely). Flip buns and toast, cut-side up until golden, 30 seconds–1 minute.

Although Kaiser rolls are bigger than standard burger buns, they make excellent burger bread. They have a soft fluffy inside and a crusty outside, and the additional crispiness on the exterior gives your burger an excellent texture.

Why are my Kaiser rolls dense? ›

You're probably not developing the gluten enough. Could also be too low hydration, or maybe under-proofed. Maybe your yeast is old…

In much of eastern New York State — New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and the Adirondacks — and throughout New Jersey Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Connecticut, Kaiser rolls are known as "hard rolls" or, rolls, and are staples of delicatessen and convenience stores.

These deli-style bulky rolls are perfect for overstuffed sandwiches. Top them with sesame or poppy seeds for that authentic artisan bakery look.

Kaiser Roll

The bulk and fluffy interior of this classic bun, good versions of which can be found in most supermarkets, make it an excellent vehicle for big, juicy backyard burgers.

Although Kaiser rolls are bigger than standard burger buns, they make excellent burger bread. They have a soft fluffy inside and a crusty outside, and the additional crispiness on the exterior gives your burger an excellent texture.

Kaiser rolls can be small or large. They can be used as soup rolls, dinner rolls, or sandwich rolls depending on their size. Smaller ones will be crustier and larger ones will be puffier and lighter. What makes them unique is their shape.

Although French bread is a lean dough (flour salt, yeast, water), the others usually contain a small amount of fat and sugar. If the French rolls are slowly fermented, then these too will taste a little sweet. They are all baked to be soft inside with a crispy crust. The Kaiser roll usually contains egg or egg white.

Kaiser buns are usually larger in diameter than standard hamburger buns, which gives you ample room for bigger burgers and more toppings. The aforementioned texture also holds up better to juiciness and condiments than most other buns. They can absorb plenty of moisture without getting soggy and falling apart.