Mini sausages, also known as cocktail sausages or cocktail wieners, are small, bite-sized sausages often served as appetizers or snacks. They can be made from various types of meat, such as pork, beef, chicken, or a combination, and are typically seasoned with spices. Mini sausages are often cooked by boiling, baking, or frying and can be served plain or with dipping sauces. They are popular at parties and gatherings due to their small size and convenience. Making mini sausage bread rolls can be a delicious and convenient way to enjoy sausage in a handheld, portable form.
Party Appetizers: Mini sausage bread rolls are perfect for parties, gatherings, or events where you want to serve easy-to-eat finger foods. Versatile: They can be served as a snack, appetizer, or even as part of a meal. Kid-Friendly: Children often enjoy the combination of sausage and bread, making these rolls a hit with younger guests. Customizable: You can customize the recipe to suit your taste, adding different seasonings, cheeses, or even vegetables to the filling. Make-Ahead: They can be prepared in advance and frozen, then reheated when needed, making them a convenient option for busy days or unexpected guests.
Why is this the best recipe?
Flavorful: The combination of savory sausage, gooey cheese, and aromatic seasonings creates a burst of flavor in every bite. Portable: The mini size makes these rolls perfect for on-the-go snacking or serving at parties and gatherings. Easy to Make: The recipe uses simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. Versatile: You can easily customize the recipe by using different types of sausages and cheeses or adding your favorite seasonings. Make-Ahead: These rolls can be prepared in advance and frozen, then reheated when needed, making them a convenient option for meal prep or entertaining. Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re serving them to a group of friends or family, these mini sausage bread rolls are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
Ingredients and substitutes
Sausages: Provide the main flavor and protein in the roll. You can use any type of sausage you prefer, such as pork, beef, chicken, or vegetarian sausages. Bread Dough: Forms the outer layer of the roll and provides a soft, bread-like texture. For a different texture, you can use store-bought, homemade, or puff pastry. Cheese: Adds flavor and helps bind the filling. Typical cheeses used include cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan. You can use dairy-free cheese as a substitute. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, or herbs add flavor to the filling. You can adjust the seasonings to suit your taste. Egg Wash: Used to brush the tops of the rolls before baking, giving them a shiny, golden finish. You can use milk or cream as a substitute. Dipping Sauce: This is often served alongside the rolls for added flavor. Common options include ketchup, mustard, or spicy mayo.
Step-by-step: Mini Sausage Bread Rolls
Whisk the milk, eggs, melted butter, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or knead for 5 minutes in an electric stand mixer with a dough hook attachment until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1½ hours or until doubled in size.
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread a thin layer of ketchup and mustard over the dough. Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide using a pizza cutter or knife. Place a mini sausage or cocktail wiener at the end of each strip and roll the dough around it, sealing the edges. Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper seam side down, and cover with a towel. Let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
About 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375°F /190°C/ Gas mark 5. Brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds (you can also use poppy seeds or bagel seasoning). Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with additional ketchup and mustard for dipping.
Tips for Success
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh sausage, eggs, and milk will give your rolls the best flavor and texture. Properly Proof the Dough: Allow enough time for the dough to rise. It should double in size during the first rise and rise again slightly during the second proofing. Evenly Spread the Filling: When spreading the ketchup and mustard on the dough, ensure it’s evenly distributed to prevent the rolls from being too dry or too saucy. Seal the Edges: When rolling the dough around the sausages, pinch the edges tightly to seal them. This will prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Uniform Size: Try to cut the dough into strips of equal width to ensure the rolls bake evenly. Preheat the Oven: Ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking the rolls to ensure they rise properly and cook evenly. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the rolls while baking and remove them from the oven as soon as they are golden brown. Overbaking can result in dry rolls. Serve Warm: Mini sausage bread rolls are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while still warm and gooey.
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Frequently asked questions
Creative variations
Cheesy Bacon Rolls: For an extra savory kick, add cooked and crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese to the filling. Pizza Rolls: Spread the dough with marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, bell peppers, and onions, before rolling them up. Buffalo Chicken Rolls: Mix shredded cooked chicken with buffalo sauce and cream cheese, then use this mixture as the filling for a spicy twist. Spinach and Feta Rolls: Add chopped cooked spinach and crumbled feta cheese to the filling for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Sausage and Apple Rolls: Mix diced apples and cooked crumbled sausage into the filling for a sweet and savory combination. Vegetarian Rolls: Use vegetarian sausage or omit the sausage entirely and fill the rolls with a mixture of sautéed vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and cheese. Tex-Mex Rolls: For a Southwestern twist, fill the rolls with cooked and seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese. Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Rolls: Spread the dough with pesto sauce and sprinkle with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese before rolling them up.
Creative ways to serve mini sausage rolls:
On Skewers: Thread mini sausage rolls onto skewers for a fun and easy-to-eat presentation. Serve with dipping sauces on the side. Mini Slider Buns: Serve mini sausage rolls in mini slider buns for a cute, portable snack. Dip Bowls: For easy dipping, place mini sausage rolls in small bowls filled with dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce. Pretzel Sticks: Serve mini sausage rolls on pretzel sticks for a playful and delicious twist. Mini Muffin Tin: Bake mini sausage rolls in a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats that are perfect for parties. Serving Board: Arrange mini sausage rolls on a serving board with various dipping sauces and garnishes for a beautiful and inviting display. Mini Skillets: Serve mini sausage rolls in mini cast iron skillets for a rustic and charming presentation. Cocktail Party Platter: Arrange mini sausage rolls on a platter with other bite-sized appetizers, such as mini quiches, cheese platters, and vegetable crudites, for a festive cocktail party spread.
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