Description
Fluffy Pesto Mozzarella Rolls are a comforting and flavorful homemade bread, perfect for cozy evenings. This eggless recipe combines the fresh taste of basil pesto with gooey melted mozzarella cheese for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Dough:
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Caster Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3–4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- For the Pesto:
- 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
- ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- For the Filling:
- 1–2 cups Freshly Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Warm milk, add yeast and sugar; let sit until frothy.
- Combine yeast mixture with olive oil and salt. Gradually add flour to form a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled.
- Prepare pesto by blending basil, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. Chill.
- Punch down dough, roll into a rectangle. Spread pesto evenly, sprinkle mozzarella, and roll tightly. Slice into 9 rolls.
- Arrange rolls cut side up in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour until puffed.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- Ensure yeast is fresh and milk is warm, not hot.
- Grate mozzarella from a block for best melting.
- Knead dough until it bounces back when poked for fluffy rolls.
- Do not over-bake; check around the 20-minute mark.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes for best texture.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled rolls in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Variations: Try cheddar or gouda cheese, add spinach or parsley to pesto, or include red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. Add sun-dried tomatoes or nuts to the filling.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg