Soft homemade bread gets a savoury twist in these Savoury Apple Rolls, with small apple pieces throughout and a flavour made for cheeseboards.
I love making bread at home and experimenting with different flavours, and adding apple to the dough is a simple way to make something a little different.
These Savoury Apple Rolls are soft homemade bread rolls with pieces of apple kneaded into the dough. They’re great on their own, but I especially like them as part of a cheeseboard with Camembert, Brie, or blue cheese.
The apples give the rolls a mild sweetness that goes particularly well with these cheeses. They’re really easy to make too, so give them a try!
What Makes Savoury Apple Rolls a Great Choice
- Individual portions make these rolls easy to serve without slicing a larger loaf.
- Perfect for cheeseboards when you want bread instead of crackers.
- Versatile serving options let you pair them with soup, salad, or cheese.
Key Ingredients for Homemade Apple Rolls
Apple
Apple adds moisture and a mild fruity flavor to the savory dough. Choose a firm variety such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady, since the cubes retain more texture in the oven.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour gives the rolls structure and a soft crumb. Regular unbleached all-purpose flour works well for this dough and has enough protein for a good rise.
Active Dry Yeast
Gives the dough its rise and helps produce a light, soft crumb. Check the expiration date before use, as older yeast may take longer to activate or may not rise properly.
Butter
Softened butter adds richness and tenderness to the rolls. Room-temperature butter blends into the dough more evenly during the knead.
Sugar
A small amount of sugar is mixed with the warm water and yeast at the start of the recipe. With only ½ teaspoon, the rolls remain savoury rather than sweet.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Savoury Apple Rolls
Step 1: Mix the lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar together, then set aside to activate.
Step 2: Place the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the water and yeast mixture, then knead.
Step 3: Add the softened butter, salt, and cubed apple, then knead until well combined.
Step 4: Shape the dough into a ball and leave it to rise for 2 hours.
Step 5: Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and shape each one into a roll. Place the rolls on a baking tray lined with baking paper and leave them to rise for another hour.
Step 6: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C – 355°F for 25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
Step 7: Serve the savoury apple rolls warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the best apples for Savoury Apple Rolls are firm varieties such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. They hold their texture during baking and give the rolls a mild, fruity apple flavour.
Yes. Use the same amount of instant yeast and mix it directly with the dry ingredients instead of activating it in the lukewarm water first.
No. An electric mixer with a dough hook makes kneading easier, but you can knead the dough by hand until smooth and elastic.
Camembert, Brie and blue cheese are good choices. Their creamy or rich flavours pair well with the apple in the rolls.
Peeling is recommended because the apple pieces have a softer texture without the skin. You can leave the skin on if you prefer more texture, especially with a thin-skinned apple.
Expert Tips
Dry the Apple Pieces – Pat very juicy apple cubes with a paper towel before adding them to the dough. Excess moisture can make the dough harder to handle.
Handle Sticky Dough Carefully – Give sticky dough more kneading time before reaching for extra flour. Adding too much flour can make the baked rolls dense and dry.
Cover During Proofing – Keep the dough covered during both rises with a clean kitchen towel or reusable cover. This prevents the exposed surface from becoming dry.
Leave Space Between the Rolls – Arrange the shaped rolls with enough room between each one. Extra space gives them room to expand as they rise and bake.
Cool on a Wire Rack – Transfer the baked rolls from the tray to a wire rack after they come out of the oven. Air circulation underneath prevents the bottoms from becoming damp.
Variations and Twists
Pair with Sharp Cheddar – Fold ¼ cup – 30 g shredded sharp cheddar through the dough with the cubed apple. Cheddar gives the rolls a richer savoury flavour and works well with apple.
Season with Mixed Spices – Combine a little ground nutmeg and allspice with the flour. These spices complement the apple and add warm, earthy flavour to the savoury rolls.
Apple Cinnamon Rolls – If you love homemade cinnamon rolls, blend ½ tsp ground cinnamon with the flour for a cinnamon-spiced version of these Savoury Apple Rolls.
Flavour with Fresh Rosemary – Combine finely chopped fresh rosemary with the cubed apple before you knead the dough. Rosemary gives the rolls a fresh herbal flavour suited to Brie, Camembert and blue cheese.
Combine Apple and Pecans – Scatter a small handful of chopped pecans through the dough with the apple. Pecans bring extra crunch and a buttery, nutty flavour.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store cooled Savoury Apple Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, place the completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature. Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C – 355°F for about 5 minutes, or warm individual rolls in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds.
Homemade Breads to Try Next
- Chestnut Bread Rolls
- Stilton Apple and Walnut Tarts
- Olive Oil Snail Bread Rolls
- Baked Goat’s Cheese Rolls
- Durum Wheat Italian Bread Rolls
Savoury Apple Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 g – 2 cups plain flour
- 130 ml – ½ cup + 1 tbsp water – lukewarm
- 1 apple – peeled and cubed
- 4 g – 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 20 g – 1½ tbsp butter – softened
- 8 g – 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
Instructions
- Mix the lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar together, then set aside to activate.
- Place the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the water and yeast mixture, then knead.
- Add the softened butter, salt, and cubed apple, then knead until well combined.
- Shape the dough into a ball and leave it to rise for 2 hours.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and shape each one into a roll. Place the rolls on a baking tray lined with baking paper and leave them to rise for another hour.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C – 355°F for 25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
- Serve the savoury apple rolls warm.
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Wow! This Apple rools looks so good Very quick and easy recipe, thanks for sharing.
I’ll sure give them a try! They look simple and delicious!!