Rolletjes

Rolletjes, meaning “little rolls” in Dutch, is a generic label for a family of dishes in Dutch- and Flemish-speaking cuisines. The defining feature is a filling wrapped in a sheet or covering and rolled into a cylinder, which is then cooked and served as a single portion. The term encompasses both savory and sweet preparations and can involve meat, fish, vegetables, pastry, or dough as wrappers.

Savory rolletjes are often made by placing a filling on or inside a thin outer layer such as a slice of meat, fish, puff pastry, or a crepe, then rolling tightly and securing with toothpicks or kitchen string. Common fillings include minced or ground meat with aromatics, cheese, ham, spinach, mushrooms, or grain-and-vegetable mixtures. The rolled items are typically browned and finished by braising, baking, or frying, and served with sauces such as cream, mushroom, or tomato sauce, along with potatoes, rice, or vegetables.

Rolletjes also appear as pastry-based snacks, for example rolls made with puff pastry filled with cheese and ham, or sweet versions with fruit and cream. In culinary usage the concept parallels other European roulades (roulade, rouladen) and shares similarities with various types of wrapped or rolled dishes found in broader cuisines, though ingredients and techniques vary by region.

Overall, rolletjes function as a versatile format for presenting a filling in a compact, rolled shape, adaptable to many flavors and occasions.