Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
There’s something magical about the aroma of fresh bread wafting from your oven, and these Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls promise soft, golden perfection every single time. With a handful of pantry staples and a foolproof method, you’ll be amazed at just how fast these fluffy rolls come together. Whether you’re pairing them with soups, holiday feasts, or weeknight dinners, this recipe delivers that classic bakery-soft texture and warmth, sure to win over family and friends—trust me, you might want to bake a double batch!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls rely on simple, everyday ingredients, each one playing a starring role in the tastiness and texture of the final product. Don’t be tempted to swap or skip—every component counts for truly irresistible, pillowy rolls.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the rolls, all-purpose flour provides the perfect balance of softness and structure.
- Active dry yeast: This jump-starts the rise, giving your rolls that unmistakable bakery lift and airiness.
- Granulated sugar: Just enough to feed the yeast and lend the rolls a delicate sweetness that highlights their buttery flavor.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors and balancing out the sweetness; don’t leave it out!
- Whole milk: Adds richness and extra tenderness to the crumb, ensuring the rolls bake up super soft.
- Water: Keeps the dough moist and helps activate the yeast, letting the dough come together smoothly.
- Unsalted butter (melted): This is key for irresistible flavor and a plush, soft texture—plus you’ll use more for brushing!
- Large egg: The egg binds everything together and adds a golden hue and subtle richness to each bite.
- More melted butter (for brushing): Don’t skip this—it’s the secret to that shiny, perfectly buttery finish you love on dinner rolls.
How to Make Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Step 1: Make the Dough Base
Start by whisking together 1 cup of the flour with the active dry yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This not only evenly distributes the yeast and seasoning, but it also preps the dough for quick activation and smooth flavor throughout every roll.
Step 2: Warm the Liquids
In a small saucepan (or microwave-safe bowl), gently heat the whole milk, water, and melted butter until they’re just warm to the touch—about 110°F is ideal. Too hot and you’ll harm the yeast; just right and you’re on your way to the fluffiest Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls ever.
Step 3: Combine and Add the Egg
Pour the warm liquid blend into your flour mixture and stir until mostly incorporated. Crack in the large egg and mix again, ensuring all the wet ingredients have fully soaked into the blend, creating a gorgeous, sticky starter dough.
Step 4: Add Remaining Flour and Knead
Gradually add in the rest of your flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter and knead by hand for 6–8 minutes, until it’s smooth, elastic, and springs back when poked gently. This is the key to those light and airy rolls!
Step 5: First Rise
Pop your dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. Letting the dough double in size gives your rolls irresistible fluffiness and flavor—don’t rush it.
Step 6: Shape the Rolls
Punch down the dough to release excess air, then divide into 12 equal pieces (a kitchen scale is helpful here if you want every roll to be precisely even). Roll each into a smooth ball and nestle them, seam-side down, in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 7: Second Rise
Cover the pan again and let your rolls rise for another 30–40 minutes, allowing them to get nice and puffy. This quick rest ensures picture-perfect, bakery-style Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls every single time.
Step 8: Bake and Butter
While the rolls are on their second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15–18 minutes, until they’re beautifully golden brown on top. Immediately brush with that last bit of melted butter to lock in softness and add irresistible sheen!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, sprinkle your warm rolls with a pinch of flaky sea salt or freshly chopped herbs. A dusting of Parmesan or brush of garlic butter can elevate your Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls into something truly special— as gorgeous as they are flavorful.
Side Dishes
These rolls shine alongside classic roast meats, hearty stews, and creamy soups. They’re especially fantastic with holiday spreads, served with a pat of butter, or even as a fluffy base for mini sandwiches. Versatility is the beauty of Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, try bundling up a few rolls in a lined basket, or serving with tiny pots of honey butter, herbed cream cheese, or flavored olive oil. For a twist, bake them in a cast iron skillet for a rustic look or shape them into cloverleaf or pull-apart styles for more festive occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool your Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls completely before storing them in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and tasty for up to 3 days—although you might find they disappear long before then!
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. Let them cool, then pack them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight on the counter or gently in the microwave, then warm up before serving.
Reheating
Wrap the rolls lightly in foil and pop them into a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or warm individual rolls in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Brushing with a tad more melted butter after reheating restores that just-baked flavor and softness.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! Instant yeast works perfectly in this recipe—just mix it right in with the dry ingredients as you would the active dry yeast. No need to adjust measurements or rise times.
How do I know when the dough is kneaded enough?
Well-kneaded dough should be smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. It’ll stretch without tearing and bounce back quickly when pressed with a finger. If using a stand mixer, this usually takes about 5-6 minutes.
Can I make Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls dough ahead of time?
Yes! After the first rise, you can shape the rolls, cover the pan, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let the rolls come to room temperature and rise for about an hour before baking as directed. They’ll taste just as fresh!
Why are my rolls not rising?
This can happen if the yeast was old, the liquid was too hot or too cold, or your kitchen is chilly. Always check that your yeast is active and give your dough enough warmth and time to rise. Patience pays off with Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls.
How can I make them extra golden and shiny?
Brush the rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven, or even add a quick egg wash (beaten egg with a splash of water) before baking. Both methods give you that bakery-perfect golden sheen.
Final Thoughts
Once you try these Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls, you’ll want to make them for every gathering—holidays, weeknight meals, or just because you crave some soft, buttery goodness. Don’t be surprised if your friends and family ask for the recipe. Happy baking!
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Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls are a must for any table. Soft, fluffy, and buttery, they are perfect for soaking up gravy or simply slathering with butter.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
For Brushing:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Heat milk, water, and butter, then add to the flour mixture. Mix in the egg and gradually add remaining flour. Knead until smooth.
- Rise the Dough: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Shape and Bake: Divide dough, shape into balls, place in a baking dish, let rise again, then bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.
- Finish: Brush with melted butter and serve.
Notes
- These rolls freeze well.
- Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
