Savoury cheese and bacon rolls, made from scratch with a deliciously fluffy homemade dough. They are soft, tender and smothered with golden cheddar cheese and pieces of crispy bacon. Delicious eaten straight from the oven, they also make a great lunchbox addition – and are freezer-friendly too!.
These are the same kind of soft, fluffy bread rolls that you can find in Baker’s Delight. They are topped with tasty golden cheese and crispy bacon. It doesnt get any better!.
These cheese and bacon rolls are cheaper and taste better than store-bought rolls. They’re great for lunch, picnics, dinner, or as a tasty sandwich alternative in lunchboxes. They taste even better when served warm from the oven. Since they can go in the freezer, you can bake a bunch of them at once and have them ready to go when you need them.
If you’ve never baked with yeast before, this is the best recipe to start! Just follow my step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, and you’ll always get beautiful, fluffy rolls.
Cheese and bacon rolls are a popular bakery item that can often be found sitting unrefrigerated on shelves or display cases in grocery stores, bakeries, and delis. But is it safe to eat these tasty rolls without chilling them first? Here’s a comprehensive look at whether cheese and bacon rolls need refrigeration.
How are Cheese and Bacon Rolls Made?
To understand whether cheese and bacon rolls need refrigeration, it helps to know how they are produced The process typically goes like this
-
The dough is made from flour, yeast, salt, sugar, eggs, milk, and butter or oil. It is kneaded and left to proof until doubled in size.
-
The risen dough is sheeted out and portions are cut Small cubes of cheese (typically cheddar or mozzarella) and bits of bacon are placed on top,
-
The dough squares are rolled up and sealed. Egg wash is brushed on top.
-
The raw rolls are left to proof again until puffy.
-
Finally, the rolls are baked at high heat (around 425°F or 218°C) until golden brown.
So cheese and bacon rolls contain raw eggs, dairy, and meat – all ingredients that are prone to spoilage at room temperature. But the cooking process helps make the end product shelf-stable.
Why Refrigeration Typically Isn’t Needed
There are a few reasons why cheese and bacon rolls don’t require refrigeration:
Salt and Preservatives
Bacon has salt and preservatives like sodium nitrite in it that stop bacteria from growing. This helps stabilize the meat.
Low Moisture Content
Cooking the rolls creates a low moisture environment that makes it difficult for microbes to thrive.
High Baking Temperature
Pathogens that might be in the eggs, cheese, or bacon are killed by the high heat. It also cooks the proteins, making it harder for microbes to grow.
Short Shelf Life
Cheese and bacon rolls are best consumed within 24 hours of baking. The short shelf life limits the opportunity for spoilage.
Packaging
Individually packaging the rolls or storing in covered bakery cases helps retain freshness. This creates a physical barrier against environmental microbes.
So while refrigeration isn’t necessary from a food safety standpoint, it can help extend the shelf life beyond a day by slowing staling and moisture loss.
How Long Do Cheese and Bacon Rolls Last Unrefrigerated?
When stored properly at room temperature, cheese and bacon rolls typically last:
-
1-2 days in the bakery or deli where they were purchased.
-
1 day at home if used by the sell-by date.
The shelf life can vary depending on ingredients, storage conditions, and preparation. Rolls containing fresh mozzarella rather than aged cheddar, for instance, may have a shorter shelf life. Storing in a humid environment can accelerate mold growth. And hand forming rolls may introduce more contaminants than machine shaping.
In general, it’s best to consume any baked goods containing meat or cheese within 24 hours for peak freshness. Monitor rolls for visible mold growth, off odors, or other signs of spoilage.
Can You Refrigerate Cheese and Bacon Rolls?
While refrigeration isn’t required for safety, you can choose to refrigerate cheese and bacon rolls to extend their shelf life. Properly stored in the fridge, the rolls can last 3-5 days.
To refrigerate, allow rolls to cool completely after baking then transfer to an airtight container or bag. Try to minimize condensation by not refrigerating rolls straight from the oven.
When ready to eat, bring rolls to room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor. Quickly warm in the microwave or oven if desired.
Refrigeration can cause some downsides, like bread staling faster and the cheese and bacon losing their crispness. But for longer storage, the fridge helps slow mold growth and moisture loss.
Freezing Cheese and Bacon Rolls
For maximum shelf life, cheese and bacon rolls can be frozen:
-
Unbaked: Let the formed raw rolls fully proof, then pack into bags or airtight containers with parchment between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking. Add a few minutes to the baking time.
-
Baked: Let rolls cool completely before tightly wrapping individually or placing in bags/containers with minimal air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven or microwave. The texture may suffer slightly.
-
Prefrosted: Some manufacturers flash freeze unbaked cheese and bacon rolls before packaging and distributing them. Follow instructions for baking frozen rolls. Handle with care as condensation can develop on thawed items.
No matter what state you freeze them in, cheese and bacon rolls can lose quality over time in the freezer. Eat within 3 months for best flavor and texture.
Food Safety Tips for Handling Cheese and Bacon Rolls
To safely handle cheese and bacon rolls:
-
Discard rolls that are past their sell-by date or show signs of mold.
-
Keep rolls well wrapped or covered for storage.
-
Minimize time in the temperature danger zone between 41-135°F / 5-57°C.
-
Don’t leave rolls sitting out on the counter for over 2 hours before refrigerating or freezing.
-
When reheating, heat through until the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C.
-
Refreeze thawed rolls only if they still contain ice crystals and have been refrigerated for under 24 hours.
Following basic food safety practices helps prevent illness when enjoying these appetizing bakery treats.
The Bottom Line
Cheese and bacon rolls can safely remain unrefrigerated due to their low moisture content, salt and preservatives from the bacon, and the high heat used during baking. For best quality, they should be consumed within 1-2 days of purchase without chilling. Refrigeration can extend the shelf life up to 5 days, while freezing grants up to 3 months. Reheat thawed rolls fully before eating. With proper handling, cheese and bacon rolls make a tasty grab-and-go snack or breakfast whether you keep them at room temp or in the fridge.
Why You’re Going To Love This Recipe
- It’s simple to make. Baking with yeast can be scary, but this recipe always works, so you can keep it on hand for when you need some fluffy dinner rolls or something extra special for your guests. There are only a few simple things you need and 30 minutes of your time.
- These are great for any event—serve them at parties, picnics, Christmas, Easter, or just for a quick brunch, lunch, or dinner! They also go great with your favorite soup or chili con carne recipe.
- Make ahead of time: Make two and store them in the freezer. When you need them, they will be ready to eat.
- Traditional and Thermomix: You can follow this recipe the traditional way or in a Thermomix. It’s in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. It has both the regular way and the Thermomix way.
For these light and fluffy cheese and bacon rolls, all you need are a few simple, low-cost ingredients.
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
- Any brand of dried yeast will work, but make sure to check the expiration date to make sure it’s still good. Dry yeast lasts longer because it’s been dried out and isn’t active until it’s mixed with liquid. Alcoholic beverages contain yeast, which is a living thing that needs food and water to grow. It ferments sugar into carbon dioxide. This is what makes the rolls rise and expand. It also provides the delicious freshly baked flavour. You can find jars or packets of dried yeast in the baking and flour aisle of most grocery stores.
- Water is used to make the dough more moist and to wake up the yeast. You can also use milk, if preferred. In order for the yeast to grow, the water must be just warm enough. If it’s too hot, the yeast will die.
- Caster sugar – don’t skip this ingredient. It gives yeast food, which helps the dough rise and get soft.
- Bread flour is high in protein and is used to make rolls and breads that rise with yeast. It makes the rolls chewy, yet light and fluffy. If you only have plain all-purpose flour on hand, you can use that instead, but the rolls won’t be as light. Weigh the flour with a kitchen scale for best results. You can get an accurate measurement of the flour if you don’t have scales. Just “fluff” it up and spoon it into a measuring cup without pressing it down. Then, level the top of the cup with a knife.
- Salt & olive oil.
- To brush on top of the rolls, lightly beat an egg.
- Cheddar cheese is the best because it melts well on the bread and turns golden and crispy when it’s baked. You can also use Colby or a mix of your favorite cheeses. If you like, you can give tasty cheddar cheese a little more bite by adding a little parmesan. Shredded cheese from the store is not as good as freshly grated real cheese.
- Bacon: For ease of use, buy bacon that has already been cut up at the deli. Alternatively, you can chop up rashers of middle bacon.
A large mixing bowl is required to mix and hold the dough as it rests and rises. Baking trays (two 40cm x 24cm) are also required to bake the rolls.
I suggest putting the dough somewhere warm and cozy to rise. If it’s too cold, it won’t rise. Find a warm place near a heater, a sunny window, or even a low (less than 40°C) oven that has been heated and then turned off before putting the dough in it during the cooler months.
This cheese and bacon roll recipe can also be made in a Thermomix.
Step 1 – Make The Dough
In a small bowl, mix the yeast with lukewarm water. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until it foams up.
In a big bowl, mix the salt, caster sugar, and bread flour. In the middle, make a well.
Pour the yeast mixture and oil into the flour mixture and mix until combined. The mixture will be sticky and thick.
Knead the dough for 5 minutes on a floured board.
Cheese and Bacon Rolls
FAQ
Does bacon and cheese bread need to be refrigerated?
Does cheese stuffed bread need to be refrigerated?
Do baked goods with cheese need to be refrigerated?
Do cream cheese rolls need to be refrigerated?
Do cheese and bacon rolls need to be refrigerated?
They are okay to be left out in room temperature, covered for about 2 days before they need to go into the fridge. Cheese and bacon rolls last up to 5 days in the fridge.
How long do cheese and bacon rolls last?
When eating the next day, best warm up the rolls in the microwave for about 5 to 10 seconds. This way, the cheese will be slightly melted and buns lovely and soft. Cheese and bacon rolls will last up to 3 months in the freezer, making these the ideal school snacks for kids too! Made this Cheese and Bacon rolls recipe?
Do cheese rolls need to be refrigerated?
Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator. The rolls can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, remove the rolls from the fridge for 30 to 45 minutes while preheating the oven. Bake according to instructions and top with garlic butter. More Recipes to Try! Enjoyed these delicious cheese rolls?
Are bacon and cheese soft rolls freezer friendly?
Bacon and Cheese Soft Rolls are delicious when eaten fresh from the oven and the cheese is melting! Freezer friendly and great for parties, picnics, lunchboxes. Bacon and Cheese Soft Rolls are delicious when eaten fresh from the oven and the cheese is melting! Freezer friendly and great for parties, picnics, lunchboxes Bacon and Cheese Soft Rolls.