Roll, white, soft
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic white roll is a soft, pillowy bread with a lightly crisp crust and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Its tender crumb makes it ideal for sandwiches or simply tearing apart. Nutritionally, it's a quick energy source, providing about 279 calories and 50g of carbs per 100g.
💚 Why it's loved
People love its universally comforting, neutral flavor and soft texture that complements rather than overpowers fillings. It's a cultural staple for everything from a simple buttered roll to a gourmet burger bun.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its refined white flour can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes, offering little fiber or sustained nutrition. To counteract this, pair it with protein (like eggs or turkey) and healthy fats (like avocado or cheese), or choose a whole-grain version when possible.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Low in fat, making it a lighter bread option
- Contains small amounts of protein and iron
- Versatile base for both sweet and savory meals
- Typically low in sodium compared to other breads
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The soft, steam-injected baking process used for many commercial white rolls was pioneered in the early 20th century to create a consistently tender interior and glossy crust.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 34.3 g |
| Energy | 279 kcal |
| Protein | 9.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 50.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 144 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 101 mg |
| Potassium, K | 122 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 494 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.73 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.11 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 27.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.3 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.54 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.30 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.06 mg |
| Folate, total | 94.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 53.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 41.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 131 ug |
| Choline, total | 14.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 6.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.8 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.84 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.52 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.25 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.75 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.71 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.8 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is a white roll the same as a hamburger bun?
Not exactly. A white roll is a general category of soft, round bread. A hamburger bun is a specific type of white roll, often slightly larger, flatter, and sometimes topped with sesame seeds.
How does it differ from a baguette or sourdough?
White rolls are made with refined flour and yeast for a soft, quick rise. Baguettes use a lean dough for a crisp crust, while sourdough relies on natural fermentation for a tangy flavor and chewier texture.
Can I freeze white rolls?
Yes. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They'll keep for 1-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or refresh in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes.