Name: Crusty Walnut Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 190 min
Ingredients: 1 cup oat milk (heated to 120F); 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for yeast); 2 teaspoons instant yeast; 3 cups all purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon salt; remaining sugar; ⅓ cups oil; 1 cups walnuts (coarsely chopped); 2 tablespoons flour (for dusting); 1 medium egg* (beaten)

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Make yourself a batch of easy vegan Crusty Walnut Rolls! This rustic, nut roll recipe is perfect for anyone craving bakery style, homemade rolls. The mixture comes together easily, too. No complicated ingredients are needed to enjoy these desserts on Christmas, Easter, and any celebrations.

If you love bread, make a bunch more with my French Breakfast Bread and Buttermilk Chocolate Bread recipes!

Pieces of Crusty Walnut Rolls on top of another

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
FAQs
Crusty Walnut Rolls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crusty Walnut Rolls make delicious homemade bread with great texture. The outside gets nice and golden while the inside remains soft and light. It is also a great choice for beginners. New bakers will enjoy making these easy homemade rolls.

This recipe is vegan and dairy-free, using plant-based ingredients. The walnuts add to the rich flavor and nice texture it has. It also has great nutritional benefits. This makes the rolls not only delicious but also healthy!

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

oat milk
granulated sugar
instant yeast
oil
salt
all purpose flour
walnuts
1 egg optional

See the recipe card for quantities.

All ingredients for Crusty Walnut Rolls in separate bowls

Instructions

Make the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir to evenly distribute.

2. Add the warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms.

Crusty Walnut Roll dough in a glass mixing bowl

Knead and Add Walnuts

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

4. Knead using a stretch-and-fold method for 8–10 minutes, adding as little extra flour as possible, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

5. Stretch the dough out, sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the surface, then fold and knead until the walnuts are evenly distributed.

First Rise

6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl or container.

7. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until more than doubled in size, about 1½–2 hours.

Shape the Rolls

8. Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 10 equal pieces.

The bread dough divided into eight equal pieces

9. Tuck the edges of each piece into the center to form balls, keeping walnuts mostly inside.

10. Place rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) between each roll.

11. Cover and let rise again in a warm place until doubled, about 45–60 minutes.

Prepare for Baking

12. When the rolls are nearly fully risen, preheat the oven to 415°F (210°C).

13. Place one oven rack in the middle and a second empty baking pan or cast-iron pan on a lower rack to heat.

14. Using a razor or very sharp knife, score a deep slash across the top of each roll.

The eight pieces of bread dough sliced at the center

15. Have a couple of ice cubes ready.

Bake with Steam

16. Place the rolls in the oven. Just before closing the door, toss the ice cubes into the hot lower pan to create steam.

17. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown and firm all around.

Cool and Serve

18. Serve fresh or store at room temperature in a sealed container.

19. Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool completely before eating.

A Crusty Walnut Roll placed with others on a board

Substitutions & Variations

Ingredient Swap
If you're out of walnuts, you can try almonds or pecans.
Variation
If you want your bread to be nuttier, substitute whole wheat flour for up to half of the all-purpose flour.
Mistake to Avoid
Don't add too much hot water. It will kill the yeast, and the bread won't rise properly.
Storage Tips
- These walnut rolls can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- They should be thawed at room temperature before reheating. To give the rolls a perfect texture, they should be warmed in the oven before serving.

FAQs

Can I make this without walnuts?

Yes! You can leave them out or replace them with other nuts like pecans. You can turn the filling into a ground walnut filling for a softer texture. Or you can also serve the rolls with jam on the side.

Do I need a stand mixer?

No. This dough can be kneaded by hand with simple tools like a bowl and a rolling pin. But a food processor can help you out quicker than that.

Why is my bread not crusty?

A hot oven, proper dough rising, and enough moisture from warm milk for example help create a crisp crust, even without using eggs.

Can I make this like a walnut roll pastry?

Yes. You can roll the dough thinner, brush it lightly with melted butter, spread a simple filling made with sour cream and ground walnuts, then roll it up to create a softer walnut roll pastry style bread.

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Don’t want to bake complicated bread? Crusty Walnut Rolls are easy to make and give you warm, bakery-style bread with a crisp crust and nutty flavor.

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Comments

5 from 11 votes

Crusty Walnut Rolls

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Substitutions & Variations

FAQs