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portuguese roll bread

Easy Portuguese Rolls at Home

Portuguese rolls, also known as "Papo Secos," are light, airy bread rolls with a slightly crispy crust and soft interior. They're a staple in Portuguese bakeries and are ideal for making sandwiches or enjoying warm with butter. These rolls are made with basic ingredients and require a bit of resting time to develop the perfect texture and flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rest Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 190

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g all-purpose flour
  • 7 g active dry yeast 1 packet
  • 10 g salt about 1½ tsp
  • 10 g sugar about 2 tsp
  • 300 ml warm water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Extra flour for dusting

Method
 

Activate Yeast:
  1. In a bowl, mix warm water and sugar. Add yeast, stir, and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
Mix Dough:
  1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead:
  1. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
First Rise:
  1. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1½ hours or until doubled in size.
Shape Rolls:
  1. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball, then flatten slightly and pinch the middle to create the classic “crease” look.
Second Rise:
  1. Place rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for 1 hour.
Preheat Oven:
  1. Preheat oven to 220°C. Place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack for steam.
Bake:
  1. Dust rolls with flour. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
Cool:
  1. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

  • For a crisper crust, spray the rolls with water before baking.
  • These rolls freeze well – just reheat in the oven before serving.
  • Can be made with whole wheat flour (adjust water slightly).