Soft Dinner Rolls are the perfect companion to any main dish. These are soft, pull-apart bread rolls that rise beautifully. You will love that they are make-ahead friendly, so you can bake them fresh for dinner.
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Dinner Rolls Video Tutorial
We love easy bread recipes like No-Knead Bread, our famous Banana Bread, and of course Dinner Rolls. They are easy, have simple ingredients, and are approachable for any cook. Watch the easy video tutorial and you will impress everyone with your dinner rolls.
Whether you’re serving Potato Soup, a hearty bowl of crockpot chili, or your family’s favorite meatloaf, any menu is elevated by a good dinner roll. Keep this recipe in your back pocket and soon it will become second nature.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Simply put, the process of making dinner rolls is split into three parts: preparing the dough, shaping the rolls and baking them. All you need is a very short list of ingredients which are pantry staples: milk, flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and butter.
How to Make Dinner Rolls
- Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of your mixer, combine milk, 1 Tbsp sugar and yeast and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Then whisk in melted butter, remaining sugar, and salt. Slowly incorporate the flour 1/2 cup at a time.
How do I know when I’ve added enough flour? The dough should feel sticky and tacky to the touch, but should not stick to clean and dry fingertips. Add the last 1-3 Tbsp flour only if needed.
- Knead Dough: Once your flour is in, continue kneading with the dough hook attachment for about 2 minutes. Kneading releases the gluten and makes it softer (don’t skip this step).
- Dough Rising: After kneading, you are going to oil a bowl and place your dough ball in it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for 2 hours or until doubled.
Can I Mix the Dough by Hand?
You can easily make homemade dinner rolls without a mixer. Mix the dough ingredients together in a large bowl using a wooden spoon or firm spatula. Once it comes together, knead with clean dry hands 10-12 minutes.
To knead by hand, press on the dough with the heel of your hand, moving in a forward rolling motion. Rotate your dough ball and repeat several times. Prepare to work those arms!
How to Shape Bread Rolls
- Divide the dough: Remove the dough and separate it into 15-16 even pieces using a bench cutter tool.
- Form the Rolls: To shape the dinner rolls, cup the dough between your fingers and thumb and roll the pieces into rounds on the countertop or over your other hand (watch the video tutorial to see how easy it is to form perfect dinner rolls like a pro).
- Let Rolls Rise: Place dough rounds onto a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for another 30-60 minutes until puffed. (Note: Instead of letting the dough balls proof, you can freeze or refrigerate the dough at this point – see make-ahead tips below).
Pro Tip: Avoid over proofing your rolls. If they rise too much, you will exhaust the yeast and they can collapse.
Can I use a different pan?
If using a different sized pan, you can make more dinner rolls. You can make anywhere from 15-24 dinner rolls using this recipe. If you make the rolls smaller, they will rise a little faster and will need a little less time to bake.
Tips for Yeast Dough to Rise Faster
Yeast is activated by warm temperatures and moist environments. If you are running short on time, here are a couple of hacks to make your dough rise faster.
- Microwave (our favorite method): Place a damp kitchen towel in the microwave on high heat for 1 minute then place the dough covered in plastic wrap in the warm microwave and let rise with the door closed.
- Oven Method: Place your dough bowl into the oven with the light on. We use this method to make our Easy Cinnamon Rolls rise in half the time!
How Long to Bake Dinner Rolls
Bake your dinner rolls at 375˚F until golden brown (about 23-25 minutes). When the rolls come out of the oven, immediately brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
How to Keep Dinner Rolls Warm?
After baking, transfer your rolls to a serving dish or bowl and cover them with a kitchen towel. This will trap the heat and keep your rolls warm.
How to Make Dinner Rolls Ahead of Time
- Refrigerate Formed Dough Rolls – once the rolls are shaped and placed into the baking dish, cover tightly with oiled plastic wrap to prevent drying out and place the rolls in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. On baking day, take out the rolls 2-3 hours before baking to allow the rolls to rise at room temperature. They should nearly double in size. Rising time can depend on your room temperature.
- To Freeze dinner rolls – instead of refrigerating the dough rolls, put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid, you can transfer them to a freezer bag if desired. Remove them from the freezer to thaw and rise about 4-6 hours before baking.
How to Store Dinner Rolls
- At room temperature – once rolls are fully cooled, place them into a resealable bag to keep them from drying out and store at room temperature for 2-3 days. Do not refrigerate or they will dry out.
- How to freeze baked dinner rolls – once the rolls are cooled, roll them individually in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight, freezer-friendly zip-top bag or airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen bread rolls at room temperature, then reheat in the microwave or cover with foil in the oven at 300˚F for 10-12 minutes. If you freeze them the same day they are baked, they will keep their freshness when thawed.
There is nothing like fluffy, warm bread rolls with honey butter or jam.
What to Serve with Dinner Rolls
A holiday table isn’t complete without homemade dinner rolls. Serve these alongside your roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and of course Turkey Gravy for an unforgettable dinner. We also love to pair dinner rolls with:
- Beef Stew – with tender morsels of beef
- Cheeseburger Sliders – dinner rolls make great sliders
- Creamy Carrot Soup – silky smooth and so satisfying
- Cabbage Soup – hearty and satisfying
- Minestrone Soup – pairs so well with rolls
Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 110F
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp salt, (we used fine sea salt)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, (minus 1 to 3 Tbsp) measured correctly
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted to brush the tops of dinner rolls
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, to sprinkle finished rolls
Instructions
- In the bowl of your mixer, whisk together warm milk (about 110F) and 1 Tbsp sugar. Sprinkle the top with 1 Tbsp yeast and let sit 1 minute. Whisk together and let it sit for about 5 minutes until yeast looks foamy. Add 4 Tbsp melted butter, remaining sugar and salt.
- Add flour half a cup at a time until the dough whisking to incorporate. Once the dough gets too thick, switch to the dough hook attachment and mix on speed 2 (you can also continue mixing by hand with a stiff spatula). Add about 4 cups of flour, adding the last 1 to 3 Tbsp of flour only if needed. The dough should feel sticky and tacky but should not stick to clean/dry finger tips.
- Knead the dough with the dough hook in a stand mixer for 2 minutes or knead by hand (10 min), then place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise about 2 hours in a warm place or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough rises, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and cut it into 15-24 even pieces depending on the shape of your baking dish. Roll each piece of dough into a ball and place them onto an oiled 9×13 casserole dish or baking sheet.
- Cover the dinner rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise another 30-60 minutes in a warm place or until puffed (do not over-proof). Bake at 375F for about 23-25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Immediately brush tops of dinner rolls with melted butter and set aside to cool to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
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Can you use bread flour to make these? I make these all the time but lately they looked a little “wrinkled”after baking? I also re-watched your video and it seems once you have let the dough rise you don’t beat it down too much ~ you just use it while it is still fluffy? Is that correct? My family requests these rolls at every dinner party too11 Thanks so much!
Hi Kathy, We tested these with Bob’s Red Mill All-purpose flour. I think it should work with bread flour though, which tends to have slightly more gluten. If you experiment, let me know how it turns out.
Can I substitute the active dry yeast with fast rising instant yeast?
Hi Jane, with instant yeast, you’d skip the proofing step initially and just whisk together the wet ingredients then add yeast with your first cup of flour. I hope that helps.
Hi,
Have you ever tried making them into a hoagie style roll? I have made this recipe so many times and my family love them but I would like to make a larger bread roll for sandwiches.
Thank you.
Hi Pam! I have not, but it’s a great idea to try.
Easy roll recipe soft great with a little butter everyone enjoyed the I have made this recipe several time’s
Hi, Natasha
My family loves this recipe, I’ve been making these and your lasagna recipe for the past 2 years.
So happy to hear your family is enjoying the recipe!
Can I substitute buttermilk or almond milk using the same measurement of regular milk?
Hello Jen! For the 2 milk options, you’ll can still get great results, but there might be some differences in texture or flavor.
I made the recipe with buttermilk and they are Delish! I bloomed the yeast in half cup water and sugar as I was scared that the thickness of the buttermilk may cause the yeast not to proof. Then I added 1 cup of warm buttermilk to mixture. Watching the video first was very helpful. Since I knew how to test the dough I only used 3.5 cups of flour. I ate 3 because they were soooo fluffy and yummy. I’m forcing myself to freeze the rest before I eat them all. Can’t wait to try other recipes from Natasha’s Kitchen☺️
Perfection! On my second batch I added garlic powder and Italian seasoning-1/2 teaspoon of each. I became very savoury! I dusted with parmesan cheese and parsley! Natasha you are a star. I love your recipes!
Can you make ahead and freeze prior to baking ?
Hi Melissa! Yes, see my make ahead notes above for instructions.
Like Megan, I have been making these for a few years now! My “go to” roll recipe! A winner, I also use a thermometer as well to make certain they are done! Thanks again!
You’re very welcome!
Just made these rolls. Super! Loved the tip on checking the dough with your fingers that really worked. Made one addition to the butter on the roll. Added just a little bit of honey before rolling it onto the rolls. Everything was delicious. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
You’re so very welcome, Cathy! I’m happy they were a hit!
Wonderful recipe. I added fresh herbs, finely chopped and garlic powder. Held up well. Thank you so much. I really enjoy all your recipes
So easy and delicious.Warning !! -These dinner rolls are highly addictive.
Can I use rapid rise yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Hi Traci! I haven’t tried this with instant but that should work. In step one, once the yeast is mixed in, you can skip the 5 minute waiting time since an instant yeast does not need the proofing period.
I just wanted to finally leave a comment (after 3 or so years of successfully using this recipe!), thanking you for this awesome recipe! I seem to struggle with making good yeast breads. But there seems to be something “magical” about this recipe, as I have become the resident “roll maker” in many of my extended family and social circles, because of how amazing these rolls turn out when I make them. I’ve probably made this recipe at least 30 times and have never been disappointed. A couple of my favorite hacks: I often form and shape these in my 13×9 glass pans, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. With this method, I find that they don’t really need much “proofing” time other than the time they sit out post-refrigeration while the oven preheats. I also used to sometimes get doughy results, but the texture seems perfect when a meat thermometer inserted into the center roll of the batch comes out at 190-200. Thank you again for this recipe!
Hi Megan! That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I’m so glad this recipe is working well for you.
Omg , rolls came out beautifully! So easy to make it with your directions.
Thank you Natasha ❤️. Yummy 😋
You are so very welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed the recipe.
Am I able to put this in a loaf pan instead of making rolls?
Hi Erika, I have not tested that as a loaf, but I imagine it could work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe!
Hi Natasha, I’ve had a passion for baking with yeast for 6 decades – I thought these were very, very nice. I will make them again. Thanks for the recipe. I made 12 rolls of 59-71 gm each. I used a scale and needed the 400 gm of unbleached a.p. flour. Could be I needed it all b/c I’d used about 50 gm of stone whole wheat flour? The yeast for that amount at 0.8 mg is 2 tsp.
Have you ever tried adding grated parm-reg or cheddar to the batter? Wud I have to alter the amount of butter?
Everyone enjoyed them at our Christmas eve dinner, and they cudn’t believe they were homemade. Next time I will brush them with a yolk/cream mixture before baking. Mine weren’t as golden as your photo.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Helen! I haven’t tried adding cheese to this batter, but if done right I bet it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
My first attempt was a beautiful success! The following 2 times they came out a bit dense. Not sure what I’m doing differently — is that what over-proofing does? The tops kind of sank and look shriveled instead of nice and puffed.
There could be several reasons. Make sure to check the flour, if you add too much flour it can become dense and dry. Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. Kneading the dough too much can also cause the gluten to become too tight, leading to denser rolls.