Bolillos

Crusty, golden, and irresistibly soft on the inside, bolillos are Mexico’s beloved take on a classic bread roll. Perfect for sandwiches, alongside soups, or simply enjoyed warm with butter, these delicious rolls are a staple in Mexican cuisine. Made with simple pantry ingredients—flour, sugar, salt, instant yeast, warm water, and vegetable oil—this bolillo recipe is delightfully easy to follow. Key features of this recipe include the traditional oval shape with tapered ends and a signature lengthwise slash, as well as a steam-baking technique that creates their iconic crispy crust. Ready in under 2 hours, bolillos are a must-try homemade bread for anyone craving an authentic taste of Mexico.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1.5 cups Warm water (110°F/43°C)
• 1.5 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Mix well to combine the dry ingredients.

Step 2

Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough begins to form.

Step 3

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 4

Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

Punch the dough down to release the air. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into an oval roll, tapering the ends slightly to create the traditional bolillo shape.

Step 6

Place the shaped rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking tray. Cover them loosely with a towel and let them rise again for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are puffy.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Before baking, score each roll with a sharp knife or razor blade, making a shallow slash lengthwise down the middle.

Step 8

Bake the bolillos in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crusty. For an extra-crusty exterior, you can place a shallow pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven to create steam during baking.

Step 9

Remove the bolillos from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them fresh or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	889.6 grams (889.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1987

Total Fat 24.60g	32%
Saturated Fat 3.50g	18%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.60g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3550mg	154%
Total Carbohydrate 381.80g	139%
Dietary Fiber 15.10g	54%
Total Sugars 13.60g
Protein 52.60g	105%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 68mg	5%
Iron 23mg	126%
Potassium 594mg	13%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 11.3%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 78.0%