Kamil Perry
Ham and cheese bread rolls are a fun, tasty treat that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. They are easy to make and can be served as snacks, appetizers, or as a side to a main dish. The bread rolls are filled with ham, cheese, and other ingredients of your choice, such as chives, mustard, or mayonnaise, and are then baked or fried to create a delicious snack that is crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
To make the dough for ham and cheese bread rolls from scratch, start by combining yeast, a bit of sugar, and warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Weigh your flour or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. Next, combine all of the dough ingredients and mix and knead them together by hand, mixer, or bread machine until you've made a soft, smooth dough. You'll know the dough is ready when it starts to make slapping sounds against the bowl.
Once the dough is ready, cover it and let it rise for about an hour. Then, roll the dough into a 12" x 18" rectangle. You can brush the dough with mayonnaise, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, ranch dressing, or a combination of these. For added flavor, sprinkle poppy seeds over the shaped buns before baking.
If you're making crispy ham and cheese bread rolls, you can use day-old bread slices instead of making dough from scratch. Flatten the bread slices with a rolling pin and spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on one side. Alternatively, you can spread softened butter on the bread before placing the ham and cheese.
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Choosing the fillings
Ham and cheese bread rolls are a tasty snack that can be made with a variety of fillings. The classic combination includes ham, cheese, and bread, but you can get creative and experiment with different ingredients to make them even more delicious. Here are some ideas and tips for choosing the perfect fillings for your ham and cheese bread rolls:
Choosing the Ham
The type of ham you choose can greatly affect the flavor and texture of your bread rolls. You can use any kind of deli ham, such as Black Forest ham or honey ham. Leftover Christmas ham or any other cooked ham can also be chopped into cubes and used as a filling. If you want to be more adventurous, you can even substitute the ham with other meats like bacon or deli meats such as salami or pepperoni.
Selecting the Cheese
The cheese you select is another important component of the filling. Popular choices include mozzarella, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, or a shredded Italian blend. You can grate the cheese or cut it into thin slices or sticks, depending on the texture you prefer. If you want a stronger flavor, you can opt for aged cheddar. Additionally, consider spreading a thin layer of strawberry or another type of jam underneath the ham to add a unique twist to your bread rolls.
Enhancing the Flavor
To enhance the flavor of your ham and cheese bread rolls, you can experiment with different spreads and toppings. Before adding the ham and cheese, brush the dough with mayonnaise, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, ranch dressing, or softened butter. You can also sprinkle poppy seeds or Italian seasoning on top of the rolls before baking for added flavor and texture. Chives are another great addition to the filling, providing a fresh onion flavor.
Frying Considerations
If you plan on frying your ham and cheese bread rolls, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind. Chilling the rolls before frying helps to firm up the cheese and prevents it from oozing out during the frying process. Additionally, when frying, use a thermometer to ensure the oil is at the ideal temperature of around 350°F. You can also test the temperature by dropping a pinch of panko into the oil; if the panko floats and turns golden after a few seconds, the oil is ready.
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Rolling the dough
There are a few methods for rolling the dough, depending on the type of ham and cheese bread roll you are making.
If you are making a roll with a single slice of bread, you will need to trim the edges of the bread and flatten it with a rolling pin until it is very thin. Spread a thin layer of butter, jam, mustard, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, or ranch dressing on the top side of the bread slice. You can also sprinkle poppy seeds on top for added flavour and texture. Then, place a slice of ham on the buttered side of the bread, followed by a cheese stick or grated cheese. Finally, roll the bread into a log, enclosing the filling, and secure it with toothpicks if needed. Repeat this process for all the bread slices.
If you are making a roll with yeast dough, roll the dough into a 12" x 18" rectangle. Brush the dough with mustard, leaving a 1" border around the edge. Add a single layer of cheese, followed by the ham, also leaving the border bare. Starting with a long edge, roll the dough into an 18" log. Pinch the long seam closed, then fold the ends over and pinch them closed as well.
For dough made with a stand mixer or by hand, knead the dough until it bounces back when poked. Then, let the dough rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until it has doubled in size. Once it has doubled in size, remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a roll by cupping it in your hand with the top of the roll touching your palm. Place your hand on an unfloured surface with the seam touching the table, and move your cupped hand in quick, tight circles to create tension on the surface of the dough. Repeat this process for all the pieces and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
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Baking the rolls
There are a few different ways to bake ham and cheese bread rolls, depending on the desired texture and ingredients used. Here is a detailed guide on how to bake them:
Firstly, prepare your fillings. Grate the cheese and chop the ham into cubes if needed. Mince any additional ingredients such as chives or parsley. You can also add a thin layer of jam to the bread before adding the ham and cheese. This adds a unique sweetness to the savoury rolls.
Next, roll out your dough and spread your desired condiments, such as mayonnaise, mustard, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, or ranch dressing. You can also brush the tops of the rolls with a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, and optional honey and onion powder. Then, add the fillings. Make sure to leave a border around the edge to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
Roll the dough into a log shape, starting with the long edge. Pinch the seams closed to enclose the filling. If you are using store-bought dough, you can skip this step and simply assemble the rolls by placing the ham and cheese slices inside.
Once your rolls are assembled, brush them with milk and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. If you are using a breaded coating, such as panko, freeze the rolls for a few minutes before baking to help the coating stick and prevent the cheese from leaking out.
Bake the rolls in the oven until they are crispy and golden. The ideal temperature is 350°F, and the rolls should be baked for around 10 seconds on each side, or until golden brown. Alternatively, you can bake them until they are soft and warm, rather than crispy.
Finally, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. These rolls are best served warm with a side of butter or a salad.
You can also prepare these rolls in advance and chill them in the fridge before baking to help the cheese firm up and prevent it from oozing out during frying.
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Storing and reheating
When you're ready to eat your rolls, there are a few reheating methods you can use. For the best texture, it is recommended to reheat them in the oven at 350°F (176°C) until warmed through. If you're short on time, you can also warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
If you've frozen your rolls, make sure to thaw them completely before baking. It is also suggested to eat fried rolls immediately after cooking, as they will lose their crunch over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Combine yeast, a bit of sugar, and warm water in a bowl. Mix and knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Let the dough rise, covered, for an hour.
You can use any kind of deli ham and cheese slices you like. For the cheese, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, or cheddar cheese are good options. You can also use a shredded Italian blend. You can also add chives or green onions.
Roll out the dough into a rectangle and brush with mustard, mayonnaise, honey, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, or a combination of these. Layer the ham and cheese slices on top, leaving a border. Starting with a long edge, roll the dough into a log and pinch the seams closed.
You can bake the rolls in the oven or deep fry them. For baking, brush the rolls with milk before placing them in the oven. For frying, dip the rolls in egg and cover them with panko before frying in hot oil for about 10 seconds.
