Tiger Rolls {Dutch Crunch Bread}

Tiger Rolls are soft and pillowy rolls with a fluffy inside and a tiger-like, crispy exterior. This is why these are also known as Dutch Crunch bread! This tiger bread makes amazing sandwiches, but is also great dunked in soup.

We can’t live without bread and we love this tiger roll recipe! If you also love bread recipes, you can try making your own homemade French Bread, so fluffy and great eaten warm smothered in butter. This Apple Cinnamon Bread, great for a sweet treat and a reader favorite! Or go super simple and make Air Fryer Frozen Rolls, they cook so fast and taste like homemade.

Tiger Bread

Are you ready for the most amazing bread recipe ever??

I mean look at this bread, have you EVER seen bread that was cooler than this? This is some special bread!

The texture of this bread is nice and hearty on the inside, while the outside has the crispiest crust with an interesting pattern. It is delectable and satisfying to bite down into.

It almost looks like giraffe skin, which is probably why one of the nicknames for this bread is giraffe bread.

These tiger rolls actually have many names. So whether you know them by tijgerbrood or tijgerbrod, Marco Polo bread, giraffe bread, Dutch crunch, or tiger rolls, tiger bread, you are going to love this bread recipe!

Dutch Crunch Bread

Even though these rolls may appear to be really hard to make because they look so fancy, they really don’t require any special skills and anyone can make them.

If you are new to bread making and are worried about working with yeast, don’t be. I know that it can seem a little intimidating, I was a little scared the first time I made bread, too.

Just dive right in and do it, I know you can! Once you try this bread recipe, you are going to be on a bread making binge.

If you are ever visiting the San Francisco Bay Area (one of my favorite cities ever), head over to Ike’s Love and Sandwiches (or just Ike’s Sandwiches) to get an authentic Dutch Crunch sandwich. It is not to be missed and you will forever be craving Dutch Crunch bread until you can make it at home with this recipe!

What exactly is Tiger Bread/Tiger Rolls/Dutch Crunch?

Tiger rolls or tiger bread is a rich yeasted bread which means that it contains a fat, which is the butter in this case, and is what helps make the bread soft and fluffy.

It is a white bread bloomer loaf, which refers to the shape of the bread, but it can also be made into rolls. They are just like any bread rolls that you would normally make, but with a crunchy exterior that has a mottled crust.

How is a Tiger Roll Made?

Tiger Rolls are made just like any other bread roll or bread loaf. Basically, all you need to do is proof the yeast, combine ingredients to make the dough, let dough rise, shape dough, let it rise again, make rice paste and spread it on the prepared loaves, and bake the bread. Easy peasy!

Why does Tiger Bread Look Like That?

The outside of tiger bread has an interesting crackling effect that distinguishes it from other breads. It has almost a leopard skin like pattern and that is why it is called tiger bread. To me, it looks more like a giraffe pattern.

What is the Crackled Crust on Top of a Tiger Roll?

The crackled crust comes from the rice paste and yeast that gets painted onto the dough loaves right before it gets baked. As the bread bakes it expands, the rice paste does not. It actually dries out and cracks.

This is what gives the exterior that satisfying crispness that looks like a giraffe or leopard.

The rice paste is also responsible for the bread’s unique crunch.

What is Dutch Crunch Bread Made Of?

This Dutch crunch is made from the basic elements of any bread. The ingredients are yeast, water, sugar, salt, flour, and butter.

The rice paste that gets spread over the top of the proofed bread loaves is a thick combination of rice flour, salt, sugar, yeast, water, and oil.

Where did Tiger Bread/Dutch Crunch Originate?

Even though tiger bread is well known in California, mainly the San Francisco area, it didn’t actually originate in California at all. I’m sure that the name “Dutch Crunch” gave away this information. Yep, you are correct, this bread originated in the Netherlands. They call it tijgerbrood or tijgerbol which means tiger bread or tiger roll.

Why Make This Tiger Bread Recipe?

• This bread looks so amazing! It is such a show stopper with its animal patterned crust. Everyone will be impressed that you made it yourself.
• Make the most amazing sandwiches with this bread!
• There are no eggs in this bread.
• Made with pantry staples that you probably already have or that are easily accessible.
• Uh it’s bread, need we say more?

Are Tiger Rolls Easy to Make?

Tiger rolls are pretty easy to make. It just takes a little time and patience to let mix the dough and let it rise. The dough isn’t difficult to work with, you just have to decide if you are making bread rolls or bread loaves.

You also must be quite delicate when spreading the rice paste onto the risen dough balls because you want to make sure not to deflate it.

What to Serve With Tiger Bread/Tiger Rolls?

You can use this rolls recipe anytime you would use regular rolls. But this bread really shines when used as a sandwich bread, it’s nice and thick with a hint of sweetness. It’s sturdiness stands up to all of the toppings that you want to pile on.

These bread rolls are a little thicker and heartier than the traditional dinner roll (which is great for soaking up that broth), but these really go great with a big bowl of some of our favorite soups like instant pot tortellini soup with sausage, healthy broccoli cheddar soup or this rustic roasted garlic potato soup.

You could eat this bread with a little butter and jam or serve it up with pasta, curry, roast chicken and vegetables, a beef roast, sliced ham, casseroles, just about anything!

Tiger Rolls Ingredients

For the Bread Rolls

• Water: Water needs to be slightly warmed but not hot.
• Sugar: Just a little sugar is needed if you are using active dry yeast.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast, make sure that it is not expired.
• Salt: I like a fine sea salt.
• Oil: I use vegetable oil.
• Flour: You can use bread flour or all purpose flour.

For the Rice Flour Paste

• Rice flour: Make sure to use rice flour and not ground rice. It needs to be very fine in texture.
• Sugar: A little sugar is needed.
• Salt:I use a fine sea salt.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast.
• Water: Lukewarm water.
• Oil: I use a little vegetable oil.

How to Make Tiger Rolls

Ok lets dive right in on how to make these tiger rolls.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and make Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for 3-4 minutes until frothy.

Fit the stand mixer with the dough hook. To the bowl add in the oil, salt, and flour. Mix the dough for about 5 minutes on medium until the ingredients are well combined and dough is a little tacky. Add a little more flour as needed to get dough to the right consistency. It should gently bounce back when touched.

Step 2: First Dough Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and place in a warm place to rise for 60-90 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Step 3: Shaping the Bread

You can make this bread recipe into different sizes. Keep in mind that each size has different baking times.

• Small tiger dinner rolls can be made by dividing the dough into 16 equal pieces of dough. They will be about the size of a yeast roll.
• Make tiger rolls by dividing the dough into 8 equal pieces. This will make the rolls about the size of a hamburger roll or sandwich roll.
• Medium shaped rolls will be divided into 4 equal dough pieces. This is great for hoagie type sandwiches.
• Large loaf will just be the dough put into one large round or an oblong loaf.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (only one for making a single loaf).

Punch down the dough a little and roll it onto a clean surface. Divide the dough into equal pieces. For the rolls you will need to flatten each dough piece and pinch the end together. Then roll it on a surface seam side down with a cupped hand to get it formed into a nice round roll. Place the 4 rolls onto each prepared parchment covered baking sheets. For the medium rolls, just form into loaves, placing 2 loaves on each baking sheet.

Step 4: Final Rise

Cover the rolls lightly with a clean tea towel or if you are afraid of it sticking, add some oil to plastic wrap and lightly cover with that. Immediately start the rice paste.

Step 5: Make Rice Paste

In a small bowl mix together the rice flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix in the water and oil. Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes while the dough is rising.

Step 6: Adding Rice Flour Paste

About 20 minutes before rolls are done rising (the second rise takes about 40-50 minutes). Add about 1 tablespoon of the rice flour mixture onto each roll or about 2 tablespoons on the medium rolls. You can either spread it on with a pastry or basting brush or use your fingers, whichever is easiest. Being careful not to deflate the dough. If it is too thick to spread, add a little water to the paste to thin it a little.

The process is pretty messy, so keep that in mind. Clean up any drips that fall onto the baking sheets.

Re-cover the loaves and allow the rolls to rise for another 20-30 minutes until a little bigger.

Preheat the oven to 400°F about 15 minutes before the bread is done rising.

Step 7: Baking the Tiger Bread

Now that the dough has fully risen, the bread is ready to bake. Once the bread starts to turn brown you want to cook it for about 5 more minutes to ensure the tops get nicely browned, but make sure they aren’t burning.

• The 16 smaller tiger rolls get baked for 18-20 minutes.
• The 8 tiger rolls get baked for about 25 minutes.
• The 4 medium loaves will get baked 30-32 minutes.
• A single loaf will need to bake for 40-45 minutes.

Where to Get Rice Flour?

Rice flour is actually a pretty common ingredient. You should be able to find it at most grocery stores. When I am making tiger bread and need rice flour, I normally find it in the baking aisle. If you can’t find it at the normal grocery store, try a health food store like Whole Foods or Sprouts.

Can I Make This Giraffe Bread without Rice Flour?

You could just completely leave off the rice flour mixture that goes on top of the rolls if you like. The rolls will still come out delicious, they just won’t have that cool crackling effect on top.

What if I Can’t Find Rice Flour – Rice Flour Substitute?

If you have no access to rice flour that is okay! You can use other gluten free options instead of rice flour. Some great substitutes are oat flour, almond flour, or potato flour. They should have the same reaction with the yeast as the rice flour.

Is Ground Rice the Same as Rice Flour?

Ground rice and rice flour are similar but are not the same thing. Ground rice is a bit thicker in texture, while rice flour is very finely ground.

I do not recommend substituting ground rice for rice flour in this recipe.

Can you Make Dutch Crunch Topping Without Yeast?

If you don’t mix the yeast into the rice flour topping, the crust of the bread may not come out as cracked. The color also may not come out as dark as when you add the yeast to the rice flour. So basically, I don’t recommend making this breast with out the yeast in the topping unless you don’t want the tiger stripes on top.

If you are wondering why yeast gets added to the tiger bread, it is to ferment the rice flour. The yeast is added to tiger bread topping.

Tiger Rolls Tips and Variations

• Thin rice paste. If the rice flour mixture is too dry or thick, add a little water to thin it just a little.
• Carefully add rice paste. When brushing on the rice paste, make sure to be very careful. The dough is going to be puffed and delicate and you have to put on the thick rice flour without deflating those delicious puffs.
• Clean any drips. Make sure to wipe up any drips of rice paste that may fall onto the baking sheet.
• Sesame flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil into the dough and 1 tablespoon into the rice paste. You can even add sesame seeds to the top of the bread that has been coated with the rice paste before baking.
• Different dough shapes. This tiger bread dough can be formed into rolls, oblong loaves, sandwich loaves.
• Rice paste rest. Let the rice paste sit for about 15 minutes before using it.
• Make it a little healthier. Use half whole wheat flour and half all purpose flour.
• Plain rice flour. Don’t use sweet or glutinous rice flour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between giraffe bread and tiger bread? They are two different names for the same bread. You can call it either one or just call it Dutch crunch.

Is Dutch crunch bread good? I cannot say yes to this enough times. There is something special about this bread. It is so crusty good on the outside, but with a tender crumb on the inside.

Do you need to add marmite, Vegemite, or malt extract to tiger bread? Adding one of these ingredients in with the rice flour mixture, can enhance the umami flavor of the tiger rolls. But, I don’t have it added in this recipe and it is not a necessary ingredient.

Can Tiger Rolls be Frozen? Yes, these soft rolls can be frozen. Just see the freezing instructions below.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Instructions

How to store tiger bread? Tiger bread is best eaten the day it is made. Let the bread cool and put in an air tight container. It should last about 2-3 days at room temperature or 3-4 days in the fridge.

How to freeze tiger bread? Let bread cool completely then wrap bread in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Put into an air tight, freezer safe container or zip bag. Bread can be frozen for 2-3 months, just be sure to label with the recipe and date.

How to thaw frozen tiger bread? Thaw frozen tiger bread on a plate in the refrigerator overnight until defrosted.

Try these other recipes!

• Homemade Pretzel Bites
• Homemade French Bread
• Cranberry Orange Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Bread
• Dinner Rolls in the Air Fryer
• Soft Dinner Rolls

If you’ve tried this tiger roll recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below in the comment section. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes!

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