Are you craving those soft, pillowy hoagie rolls perfect for your favorite sandwiches? Forget store-bought – let's make them ourselves! This recipe uses your trusty bread machine to create delicious, homemade hoagie rolls with minimal effort. Get ready for incredibly fresh bread that elevates any meal, from classic Italian subs to gourmet veggie wraps. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned bread enthusiasts alike, delivering consistently perfect results every time. Let's dive in!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup milk (optional, for extra softness)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing Your Bread Machine:
Grease your bread machine pan lightly with cooking spray or olive oil. This prevents sticking and makes removing the rolls a breeze.
Step 2: Adding Ingredients:
Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast to the bread machine pan. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate (you should see some foamy action!). Then, add the olive oil, salt, flour, and milk (if using) to the pan. Ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Selecting the Dough Cycle:
Select the "dough" cycle on your bread machine. This typically takes about 1.5 hours, allowing the dough to rise properly. Consult your bread machine's manual for specific instructions.
Step 4: Shaping the Hoagie Rolls:
Once the dough cycle is complete, carefully remove the dough from the pan. Lightly flour your work surface and gently knead the dough for a few seconds to release any trapped air. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into an oval, slightly elongated hoagie roll shape.
Step 5: Second Rise:
Place the shaped rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them for rising. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops of the rolls lightly with milk or olive oil for a beautiful golden-brown crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 7: Cooling and Enjoying:
Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy your freshly baked, homemade hoagie rolls!
Tips for the Best Hoagie Rolls:
- Yeast Activation: Ensure your yeast is fresh. If it doesn't foam after 5 minutes, it's likely inactive and needs replacing.
- Flour Consistency: You may need slightly more or less flour depending on the humidity and your specific flour brand. Add flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough forms a smooth, slightly sticky ball.
- Don't Overknead: Overkneading can result in tough rolls. Gentle kneading is key after the bread machine cycle.
Variations:
- Herb Rolls: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs like oregano, basil, or rosemary to the dough for extra flavor.
- Garlic Rolls: Incorporate 1-2 cloves of minced garlic into the dough for a delicious garlicky aroma.
- Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rolls before baking for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per roll, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Protein: 5-7g
- Carbohydrates: 25-35g
- Fat: 3-5g
This homemade hoagie roll recipe offers a simple, delicious way to enjoy fresh bread. Perfect for quick dinner ideas, or elevating any sandwich to the next level, this recipe is a surefire way to impress your friends and family with your homemade cooking skills. The best recipes are often the simplest, and this one proves it. Enjoy!