Homemade Fluffy Bread Rolls (Low-Calorie)
Description
These homemade bread rolls are ultra-soft, slightly sweet, and perfect as a light dessert or snack. Made with simple ingredients, they’re lower in calories than typical bakery buns but still rich in flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Servings: 10–12 rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups (360 g) |
| Warm milk (or almond milk) | 1 cup (240 ml) |
| Active dry yeast | 2 ¼ tsp (7 g / 1 packet) |
| Sugar | 2 tbsp (25 g) |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | 2 tbsp (30 g) |
| Egg (for dough) | 1 large |
| Egg yolk + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash) | — |
| Optional: sesame seeds or oats | 1 tbsp |
Instructions
1. Activate Yeast
-
In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast.
-
Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Make the Dough
-
Add the egg, butter, salt, and half the flour.
-
Mix, then gradually add the rest of the flour until a soft dough forms.
-
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise
-
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Shape the Rolls
-
Punch down the dough to remove air.
-
Divide into 10–12 equal balls and shape smoothly.
-
Place on a lined baking tray, close but not touching.
5. Second Rise
-
Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes until puffy.
6. Bake
-
Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds if desired.
-
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 18–20 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Cool & Serve
-
Let cool slightly before serving. Perfect with a bit of honey, jam, or light butter.
Nutritional Info (Per Roll)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~145 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
(Values are approximate and depend on exact ingredients used.)
💡 Tips
-
Use bread flour for extra fluffiness.
-
Don’t overbake—remove when tops turn light golden brown.
-
Replace butter with Greek yogurt or applesauce for fewer calories.
-
Add a dash of vanilla or orange zest for a dessert twist.
Benefits
-
Low in fat and made without heavy cream or oil.
-
Protein-rich from egg and milk.
-
Perfect meal-prep snack—stays soft for 3 days.
-
Can be made vegan by swapping milk and butter for plant-based versions.
Q&A
Q: Can I make the dough overnight?
A: Yes! Let it rise once, shape into balls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh in the morning.
Q: How can I make it sweeter?
A: Add 2–3 tbsp sugar or a tablespoon of honey to the dough.
Q: Why is my bread dense?
A: Likely under-kneaded or the yeast wasn’t active enough. Make sure the yeast mixture becomes foamy before adding flour.