Easy Healthy Bread Rolls Recipe
The smell that makes me feel most at home is the mouth-watering smell of freshly baked bread rolls on a Sunday morning! These carrot and chia seed bread rolls are so easy to make and only require a bit of patience while they rise, and are guaranteed to fill your kitchen with that amazing smell.
These bread rolls are packed with chia seeds and grated carrots–both nutritional powerhouses that offer numerous health benefits. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, and they are also packed with fiber, helping to support digestive health and keep you feeling full longer. Additionally, chia seeds provide a good dose of calcium, antioxidants, and protein, making them a great addition to a balanced diet. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, essential for good vision and immune function. They also contain lots of fiber and antioxidants. Together, chia seeds and carrots make a nutritious combination that supports overall well-being!
Plus, these chia seed bread rolls have a delicious crispy crust and are bursting with flavor. The chia seeds add both moisture and a satisfying crunch, while the grated carrot helps keep the rolls soft and fresh for several days. They’re perfect for breakfast, but they also make great sandwiches for packed lunches or dinner rolls.
Ingredients for Chia Seed Bread Rolls
You can bake delicious bread rolls with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen: yeast, flour, eggs, salt, and butter. But for these tasty chia bread rolls, there are a few extra ingredients that add even more flavor:
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps keep the rolls moist, so they stay fluffy and delicious. If you’re low on honey, you can substitute with a simple sugar syrup. Combine 25 ml (1 tablespoon) of water with 80 grams (about 1/3 cup) of sugar in a saucepan, and heat while stirring until the sugar dissolves. This syrup can be used as a 1:1 replacement for honey.
- Chia seeds: I love chia seeds for both their taste and texture. Plus, they’re a superfood packed with calcium, omega-3s, and antioxidants! What’s not to love? Chia seeds are perfect for homemade bread and rolls, adding a lovely crunch. If you don’t have chia seeds on hand, you can leave them out, or swap them for flaxseeds, which have a similar fiber content.
- Freshly grated carrot: Carrot in bread rolls is a Scandinavian thing, but the rest of the world is truly missing out—it’s just so delicious! Grated carrot adds lots of moisture to the dough and is essential for achieving the right texture in these bread rolls. That said, you can leave it out or substitute it (partially or entirely) with grated zucchini –just be sure to squeeze out the excess moisture first.
How to Knead the Dough
These carrot bread rolls can be kneaded by hand or with a stand mixer—and don’t worry, if you’re doing it by hand, you won’t need to build up your arm muscles! The dough only needs to be kneaded shortly until it’s smooth and uniform. Just be sure to add the flour gradually so you don’t accidentally add too much and end up with a dry dough.
If you prefer to use a stand mixer, these carrot bread rolls can be easily kneaded that way too. I usually use my KitchenAid stand mixer for dough, and the process is the same as kneading by hand: add the flour a little at a time. It’s a good idea to take the dough out onto the counter and give it a final quick knead to ensure no flour is left at the bottom of the bowl.
Once the dough is kneaded, it needs to rise for about 1 hour. After shaping the bread rolls, let them rise again for another 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more vegetables to the bread rolls?
Absolutely! If you want to add more veggies and make the rolls even more moist, grated zucchini also works really well.Can I add more seeds to the bread rolls?
Of course! Sunflower seeds are a great addition to these rolls.Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can replace up to half of the flour with whole wheat flour for more fiber.


Recipe
Carrot and Chia Seed Bread Rolls
Ingredients
Rolls:
- 5 dl water (lukewarm)
- 2 tsp active dry yeast (or 50 g (1.8 oz) fresh yeast)
- 1.5 tbsp honey
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 50 g chia seeds
- 200 g carrots (freshly grated)
- 75 g butter (melted, slightly cooled)
- 1300-1400 g flour
For baking:
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Dissolve dry or fresh yeast in lukewarm water in a bowl (use a stand mixer bowl if you plan to knead with a mixer). Add honey, eggs, and salt, then whisk together.5 dl water, 2 tsp active dry yeast, 1.5 tbsp honey, 2 eggs, 1 tsp salt
- Add chia seeds, grated carrots, and melted butter. Gradually add flour while kneading until the dough is soft and smooth.50 g chia seeds, 200 g carrots, 75 g butter, 1300-1400 g flour
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
- Divide the dough into rolls, large or small. The rolls pictured are large, yielding 16 rolls. Allow the rolls to rise for another 20 minutes.
- Beat the egg for brushing and lightly coat the tops of the rolls just before baking.1 egg
- Bake the rolls at 200 °C (392 °F) for 12–15 minutes, depending on their size. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.