If you’re familiar with Kaiser rolls, then you’re going to love this recipe. Transforming the ever delectable and beautifully textured Kaiser rolls into a sourdough treat, using your sourdough starter, will only make your efforts worthwhile. Serve these scrumptious rolls stuffed and filled with your favorite ingredients, for a tantalizing meal.

Table of Contents
- What Is a Kaiser Roll?
- What Makes Kaiser Rolls Different?
- Kaiser Rolls Recipe
- What Do You Use Kaiser Rolls For?
- Other Ways to Use Kaiser Rolls
- Sourdough Kaiser Rolls
- FAQs

Best Sourdough Kaiser Rolls Recipe
These crunchy deli-style Kaiser rolls recipes make the perfect candidate for funky sandwiches. If you’re looking for the perfect sandwich bread to hold your fillings without leaking, tearing, or becoming soggy, then these Kaiser rolls are perfect for you!
- Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
- Yield: 10 rolls 1x
Ingredients
- 2–3 cups of bread flour
- 1/4 cup of warm water
- 1 tsp. yeast
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of fed sourdough starter
- Cornmeal for the baking sheet
Instructions
- Sprinkle some yeast over warm water in a glass bowl.
- Let this stand for 10 minutes, while tiny bubbles form.
- Then sift 2 cups of flour, salt, and sugar into a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and starter, and mix well. Add the remaining flour, and stir well to ensure it is thoroughly incorporated. Transfer the dough onto a floured board. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, or until it is nice and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and place the bowl in a warm section of your kitchen, until it has doubled in size. This should typically take 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead 8-10 times.
- Roll out the dough until it’s about 3/4 inch thick. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Then cut the dough with a floured biscuit cutter. Poke a hole in the center of each dough round. Make sure you don’t widen the holes. They should close up again during rising and baking.
- Dust the baking sheets with cornmeal flour to prevent sticking, then place the rounds 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Let them rise until they’re light and puffy.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: bread
- Cuisine: Austrian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Protein: 10 g
Keywords: sourdough kaiser rolls
What Is a Kaiser Roll?
The Kaiser roll is a type of crusty round bread roll, originating from Austria. Today there are many versions of this tasty roll, ranging in size, and flavor depending on what type of seeds bakers have chosen to top them with. You can find them topped with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, or sunflower seeds – yum! Traditionally, kaiser-rolls are enjoyed plain, served with butter or jam.
History of Kaiser Rolls
Kaiser rolls trace back to about 1760, and are assumed to have been named in honor of Kaiser (Emperor) Franz Joseph I of Austria. Typically made from simple ingredients, such as flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and butter, and topped with seeds for a bit of crunch and a hint of flavor.
The tops of the bread rolls were traditionally carved into five segments to create a rough star-shaped crown, in honor of the Kaiser, who loved feasting on these every morning with a cup of tea and some cold meat.
What Makes Kaiser Rolls Different?
Not only are Kaiser rolls absolutely delicious, yet the traditional and unique crest carved into each roll is what makes them particularly distinct from regular rolls.
In addition to this, Kaiser rolls are significantly larger in diameter when compared to a regular hamburger bun, which allows the possibility of loading your sandwiches or burgers with as many toppings as you like. And you won’t have to worry about your ingredients falling out. The large and plush buns will hold them snug, and absorb the various scrumptious flavors without becoming soggy or tearing apart.
This way, you can enjoy every morsel!
Kaiser Rolls Recipe
These crunchy deli-style Kaiser rolls recipes make the perfect candidate for funky sandwiches.
If you’re looking for the perfect sandwich bread to hold your fillings without leaking, tearing, or becoming soggy, then these Kaiser rolls are perfect for you!
- Type: Bread
- Cuisine: Austrian
- Recipe yield: 10 rolls
- Calories: 207kcal
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 3H25M
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups of bread flour
- 1/4 cup of warm water
- 1 tsp. yeast
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of fed sourdough starter
- Cornmeal for the baking sheet
Instructions
- Sprinkle some yeast over warm water in a glass bowl.
- Let this stand for 10 minutes, while tiny bubbles form.
- Then sift 2 cups of flour, salt, and sugar into a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and starter, and mix well. Add the remaining flour, and stir well to ensure it is thoroughly incorporated. Transfer the dough onto a floured board. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, or until it is nice and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and place the bowl in a warm section of your kitchen, until it has doubled in size. This should typically take 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead 8-10 times.
- Roll out the dough until it’s about 3/4 inch thick. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Then cut the dough with a floured biscuit cutter. Poke a hole in the center of each dough round. Make sure you don’t widen the holes. They should close up again during rising and baking.
- Dust the baking sheets with cornmeal flour to prevent sticking, then place the rounds 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Let them rise until they’re light and puffy.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
Nutrition
- Calories: 207kcal
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated fat: 1g

What Do You Use Kaiser Rolls For?
Kaiser rolls are often used as sandwich-style bread, filled with just about anything you fancy. From meats to veggies coupled with a crunchy crust to create that perfect bite.
There are many ways you can enjoy your Kaiser rolls, and some of the best ways are outlined below:
Fried Chicken Sandwich
A classic chicken sandwich that tastes equally as delicious as any type of bread or roll, has an even better texture and flavor when pressed between wonderfully sliced Kaiser roll.
You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs for a moist bite. Top your deep-fried chicken pieces with shredded lettuce, pickles, or jalapenos, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ground black pepper, and a pinch of hot sauce for that scrumptious kick.
Chipotle Roast Beef Sandwich With Pepper Jack
Experiment with your Kaiser rolls and create mouth-watering sandwiches with this scrumptious and flavor-filled roast beef sandwich, complete with finely sliced pepper jack packs the perfect punch.
Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
If you’re a fan of buffalo chicken, and Kaiser rolls, then why not marry the two together to create a delightful sandwich? Featuring a blue cheese dressing, for a hint of creamy coolness to take away from the heat of the hot pepper sauce slathered over the buffalo chicken.
Southwestern Smoky Ranchero Burger With Grilled Avocado
A fun sandwich featuring a variety of scrumptious goodies, to keep your tummy happy. From a perfectly singed beef patty, nestled between a Kaiser roll, grilled avocados, and finely sliced red onions for that wonderfully crisp bite.

Other Ways to Use Kaiser Rolls
You know what to fill ’em with, so here’s some other ways to enjoy your Kaiser rolls.
Make a Sandwich
The simplest, and greatest way to use Kaiser rolls is to create various sandwiches, using your favorite ingredients. If you’re tired of the standard white bread that inevitably tears apart when loaded with delicious fillings, then take a break, and switch to a crunchy Kaiser roll instead. You can fill these with veggies, meats, cheese, and top with your favorite sauce for the perfect finish.
Make Garlic Toast
Homemade garlic toast makes the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Whether it’s a pasta dish, or a delicious stew, the crunchy, garlicky taste is always welcome. And they’re incredibly easy to make.
Simply slice your Kaiser rolls in half, spread some butter, and add chopped garlic, or garlic powder, coupled with any other seasoning you like. Warm this in the oven for some time, and enjoy the delicious flavors.
Dip in Soups
One of my favorite ways to enjoy this type of bread is to rip and dip it into a hot and creamy soup. Think mushroom soup, tomato soup, or even something as simple and delicious as a chicken noodle soup.
I’ve got amazing soup recipes you can try with this bread!
Crumble on Salads
For added texture to crisp salads, crumble your Kaiser rolls over the top of your salad bowls, and finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, for a delightful treat.
Make Croutons
Croutons are great for salads, and soups. And sourdough Kaiser croutons are even better!
Sourdough Kaiser Rolls
Looking for the perfect bun to create the perfect stuffed sandwich? Kaiser buns make a great candidate, and once you take your first bite, you’ll never want to go back to ordinary bread again!
FAQs
Why Are My Kaiser Rolls Dense?
Not kneading the dough long enough can create dense or heavy bread. Make sure you remain patient while handling the dough, creating sufficient tension for your dough to withstand the heat of the oven.
Are Kaiser Rolls Vegan?
While kaiser rolls aren’t always prepped with vegan ingredients, you can always customize the recipes and substitute ingredients to make them vegan-friendly.