Name: Perfect Crusty Walnut Rolls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 190 min
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour ((480g)); 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast ((7g)); 1 teaspoon salt ((6g)); 1 ½ cups + 1 tablespoon/375 ml warm water*; 1 ½ cups walnuts ((150g), coarsely chopped)

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Make yourself a batch of easy vegan crusty walnut rolls for celebrations! This rustic nut roll recipe is perfect for anyone craving bakery-style, homemade rolls. The mixture comes together easily, and no complicated ingredients are needed, too!

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

a crusty walnut roll sliced in halves on a small white plate with a knife beside it and some of the rolls on a wooden board

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
FAQs
Perfect 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 and perfect to enjoy as a snack, breakfast, and side dish for Christmas, Easter, and any other celebration! New bakers will enjoy making these easy homemade rolls.

This recipe is vegan and dairy-free, using plant-based ingredients. The walnuts add to its rich flavor and nice texture. 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:

all-purpose flour
instant yeast
salt
warm water
chopped walnuts

See the recipe card for quantities.

All ingredients for Crusty Walnut Rolls recipe in separate bowls

Instructions

Make the Dough

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

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

combined all-purpose flour, salt, instant yeast and warm water in a large glass bowl, making a sticky bread dough

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.

Turned the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and divided it into 10 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.

walnut roll doughs on a baking pan with deep slash on top of each roll

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 sliced in halves and served in a small white plate

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.

crusty walnut rolls placed together with a white cloth underneath

5 from 12 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Perfect Crusty Walnut Rolls

Crusty walnut rolls are golden on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with toasted walnut flavor. Perfect for breakfast, snacking, or serving alongside soups and salads.

Prep Time30

Cook Time25

Rest Time2 15

Total Time3 10

Course: Bread, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack, Vegan

Cuisine: Fusion (German-Filipino)

Servings: 10 rolls

Calories: 306kcal

Author: Lainey

Ingredients

▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour (480g)
▢ 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (7g)
▢ 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
▢ 1 ½ cups + 1 tablespoon/375 ml warm water*
▢ 1 ½ cups walnuts (150g), coarsely chopped

Instructions

Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and instant yeast. Stir to evenly distribute.
Add warm water and stir until a sticky dough forms.

Knead and Add Walnuts

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
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.
Stretch the dough out, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the surface, then fold and knead until evenly distributed.

First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl or container.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until more than doubled in size, about 1½–2 hours.**

Shape the Rolls

Once risen, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 10 equal pieces.
Tuck the edges into the center to form balls, keeping most walnuts inside.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet with at least 3 inches or 7.5 cm of space between each roll.
Cover and let it rise again in a warm area for 45–60 minutes until doubled.

Prepare for Baking

When nearly full size, preheat the oven to 415°F (210°C).
Place one rack in the middle and another baking pan or cast-iron pan on the lower rack to heat.
Score the tops of each roll with a sharp knife or razor.
Prepare a few ice cubes.

Bake with Steam

Place the rolls in the oven.
Just before closing the oven door, toss the ice cubes into the hot lower pan to create steam.
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and firm.

Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Serve fresh. Best within 2 days of baking.

Notes

*Water should not exceed 115°F (46°C), or it may damage the yeast. Water temperature will impact the rise time. Cold water will result in a slow rise (but more flavor development).

**Rise time will depend on water temperature and ambient temperature. Warmer areas will cause a faster rise, while colder areas will have a slower rise.

Serving: 1gCalories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 9gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 237mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 3mg

Did you make this recipe?Share it on instagram or tag @simplybakings or #simplybakings!

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