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Cheese and Onion Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

These delightful Cheese and Onion Rolls combine creamy mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, sharp mature cheddar, and tangy gherkins all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Seasoned with English mustard and fresh thyme, then topped with nigella seeds, these golden brown rolls are perfect as a savory snack or a comforting side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Potato Mixture

  • 3 small potatoes, peeled and cut into eighths
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 large brown onion, halved and sliced
  • 250 g (2 cups) mature cheddar cheese, grated (sharp cheddar)
  • 2 small gherkins, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon English mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Pastry and Toppings

  • 1 sheet of pre-rolled puff pastry
  • 1 medium egg, whisked
  • ½ tablespoon nigella seeds
  • Plain flour (all-purpose flour) for dusting the surface
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt (for cooking onions and seasoning)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Potatoes: Place the peeled and cut potatoes in a pan of salted water. Cook until tender, then drain and cover to steam for a couple of minutes. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher and transfer them to a large mixing bowl to cool.
  2. Caramelize the Onions: Melt butter in a frying pan over low-medium heat. Add the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook slowly for about 25 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and golden brown. Add the cooked onions to the mashed potatoes and allow to cool.
  3. Prepare the Filling: Once cooled, add the grated mature cheddar cheese, English mustard, chopped gherkins, fresh thyme leaves to the mashed potato and onion mixture. Mix well, then season with the remaining salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Roll and Shape the Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry onto a floured surface. Lightly roll out the sheet with a floured rolling pin. Cut the pastry lengthwise in half to create two long rectangles. Divide the cheese and onion mixture evenly between the two pieces and shape it into sausage-like logs using your hands. Fold the remaining pastry over the filling, then use a sharp knife to cut each roll into four equal pieces, resulting in eight rolls total. You can freeze the rolls at this stage if desired.
  5. Egg Wash and Seeds: Brush each roll generously with the whisked egg. Sprinkle each roll with nigella seeds evenly for a beautiful finish.
  6. Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) fan oven. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Place the rolls on the tray evenly spaced. Bake in the center of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the rolls are puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through. Remove from the oven and transfer to a baking rack to cool slightly before serving warm.

Notes

  • For best results, use sharp mature cheddar for a rich, deep flavor.
  • You can prepare the rolls ahead and freeze them before baking; just bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • Ensure the onions are fully caramelized for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • Nigella seeds add a subtle nutty flavor and attractive speckled look, but you can substitute with sesame seeds if unavailable.
  • Serve warm as a snack, appetizer, or with soup for a hearty meal.

Keywords: cheese and onion rolls, puff pastry rolls, savory pastry snacks, caramelized onion recipe, cheddar cheese rolls

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/cheese-and-onion-rolls-recipe/