Easy Ricotta Herb Bread Rolls Recipe: Fluffy Homemade Comfort

Ricotta herb bread rolls revamp ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with their delightful blend of creamy richness and aromatic flavors.

Soft, pillowy textures invite you to savor each delectable bite of these homemade rolls.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that elevates simple dining moments.

Herbs delicately woven through the dough bring unexpected depth and sophistication to your table.

Freshly baked rolls promise a sensory journey that awakens your palate and brings comfort to any gathering.

Light yet substantial, these rolls bridge the gap between rustic charm and gourmet elegance.

Each roll tells a story of careful crafting and passionate cooking that connects generations through shared meals.

Ingredients for These Soft, Fluffy Ricotta Rolls

• Milk, Warm: Provides liquid and helps activate yeast for soft bread texture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture, richness, and subtle creamy flavor to the rolls.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to soft, tender bread structure.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the bread rolls.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for bread, creates soft and tender texture.
• Additional Flour: Used for adjusting dough consistency and preventing stickiness.

• Olive Oil: Enhances flavor, provides moisture, and helps with dough handling.
• Yeast: Crucial for bread rising and developing light, airy texture.
• Herbs: Adds aromatic flavor and visual interest to the bread rolls.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast activity.

• Flake Sea Salt: Provides crunchy texture and enhances bread's final flavor.

How to Knead and Bake These Savory Herb-Filled Rolls

Step 1: Create The Flavor Foundation

In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk, ricotta, olive oil, eggs, sugar, salt, chopped herbs, and yeast. Whisk these ingredients until they dance together smoothly.

Step 2: Build Your Dough Base

Add two cups of flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture looks like a shaggy, rustic landscape. Attach the dough hook and gradually mix in remaining flour.

Step 3: Knead With Love

Mix on medium-low speed, then increase to medium-high for 4-5 minutes. The dough should transform into a soft, elastic ball that feels slightly tacky. Add extra flour sparingly.

Step 4: First Rise Magic

Transfer dough to an olive oil-coated bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 1½ hours until it doubles in size, looking puffy and promising.

Step 5: Shape Your Rolls

Spray a 13×9-inch baking pan. Gently deflate the dough and divide into 15 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a soft, round ball.

Step 6: Second Rise Preparation

Arrange dough balls in the pan. Brush with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

Step 7: Bake To Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Serve warm, straight from the oven. Store remaining rolls in a plastic bag for up to three days.

• Use fresh herbs for maximum flavor
• Ensure milk is warm, not hot
• Don't rush the rising process
• Enjoy within 3 days for best taste

Tips for Perfect Texture and Balanced Flavor

• Master Herb Mixing: Finely chop fresh herbs to distribute evenly throughout the dough, ensuring a balanced flavor in every bite.
• Perfect Dough Elasticity: Knead until the dough feels smooth and springs back when gently pressed, indicating proper gluten development.
• Temperature Matters: Use warm (not hot) milk to activate yeast without killing it, aiming for about 110°F for optimal rising.
• Rise Like a Pro: Place the dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven to help it rise consistently and quickly.
• Salt Sprinkle Technique: Crush flake sea salt between your fingers before sprinkling to create a delicate, even coating on the bread rolls.

Best Way to Store Ricotta Rolls for Later Enjoyment

• Refrigeration: Seal cooled bread rolls in an airtight container or ziplock bag to maintain freshness for 3-4 days, preventing moisture loss and preserving soft texture.
• Freezing: Wrap individual rolls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months for long-term storage without compromising taste or quality.
• Reheating: Warm rolls in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, or microwave briefly at 50% power for 15-20 seconds to restore original softness and revive herb flavors.

What to Serve with Warm, Fluffy Herb Rolls

• Pair with Herbaceous White Wine: Crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complement the herb-infused bread rolls, enhancing their delicate flavor profile and refreshing the palate.
• Match with Creamy Dipping Spreads: Whipped garlic butter, herbed olive oil, or sun-dried tomato aioli create delightful accompaniments that highlight the bread's soft texture and rich herbal notes.
• Serve Alongside Light Protein: Grilled chicken breast, roasted turkey slices, or fresh mozzarella make excellent protein partners that balance the bread's richness and provide a complete meal experience.
• Create Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Combine bread rolls with hummus, marinated olives, feta cheese, and cucumber salad for a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dining adventure that celebrates fresh ingredients and bold flavors.

Fillings and Flavor Additions to Change the Game

• Mediterranean Magic: Swap herbs with sun-dried tomatoes, chopped kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired bread roll that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.
• Cheesy Garlic Fusion: Incorporate roasted garlic cloves and replace ricotta with sharp cheddar or gruyère cheese, creating a rich, savory bread roll with intense cheese undertones.
• Whole Wheat Wellness: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, adding ground flaxseeds and chopped walnuts for a nutty, wholesome texture and increased nutritional value.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Mix in diced jalapeños, green chiles, and sprinkle with chili powder, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty, southwestern-inspired bread roll with a kick of heat.

Why Ricotta Herb Bread Rolls Are Pillowy and Savory

• Herb-Infused Delight: These rolls burst with fresh herb flavors, creating a delightful aromatic experience that elevates traditional bread to a gourmet level.
• Soft and Pillowy Texture: The ricotta cheese creates an incredibly tender, light crumb that melts in your mouth, making each bite supremely satisfying and luxurious.
• Quick and Easy Homemade Magic: Perfect for busy home bakers, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality rolls with minimal effort and maximum flavor, requiring just basic mixing and shaping skills.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or as a stunning side dish that pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or as a standalone snack that will impress everyone at the table.

Ricotta Herb Bread Rolls Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ricotta herb bread rolls bring Italian countryside charm to your table, blending creamy cheese and fragrant herbs in a delightful homemade experience. Warm, pillowy rolls promise comfort and flavor that will transport diners straight to a rustic kitchen in Tuscany.

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Ingredients

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Herbs:

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme

Main Dairy and Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (246 grams) part-skim ricotta cheese, at room temperature
• ¼ cup warm whole milk (100 to 110°F)
• 2 whole eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for coating

Dry Ingredients:

• 3 ½ to 4 cups (445 to 508 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt
• Flake sea salt, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Whisk together warm milk, ricotta, olive oil, eggs, sugar, salt, herbs, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl until thoroughly combined and fragrant.
2. Incorporate 2 cups of flour using a wooden spoon, mixing until a rough, uneven dough emerges.
3. Attach the dough hook and gradually introduce remaining flour, kneading at medium-low speed until a cohesive mass develops.
4. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and continue kneading for 4-5 minutes, creating a supple, smooth dough that remains slightly tacky but not overly wet.
5. Transfer dough to a generously oiled large bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a draft-free area until volume doubles, approximately 1.5 hours.
6. Prepare a 13×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Gently deflate the risen dough and partition into 15 uniform portions using a bench scraper.
7. Roll each portion into a smooth, taut ball and arrange in the prepared pan, ensuring slight separation between rolls.
8. Brush rolls with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and permit a second rise for 45 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), positioning rack in the center.
10. Bake rolls for 25 minutes until achieving a rich, golden-brown exterior. Remove and allow brief cooling before serving.
11. Store any remaining rolls in an airtight plastic bag, consuming within 3 days for optimal freshness.

Notes

• Soft, aromatic bread rolls infused with ricotta and fresh herbs, perfect for elevating any meal or enjoying as a standalone snack.
• Ensure milk is warm but not hot to activate yeast without killing it, creating the ideal environment for soft, fluffy dough.
• Kneading develops gluten, which gives these rolls their tender, pillowy texture and helps them rise beautifully during baking.
• Letting dough rise slowly develops deeper flavor and creates a light, airy interior that melts in your mouth.
• Brushing rolls with olive oil before baking adds a golden, crispy exterior and enhances the herb-infused flavor profile.
• Store rolls in an airtight container to maintain freshness, and gently reheat for 10-15 seconds to recapture that just-baked warmth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg