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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Excellent recipe! I’ve always wanted to bake bread but was intimidated by the process. You made it look easy so I tried it. Your rolls are now a family favorite. Made the honey butter too! I now have to force myself to not make them every weekend. Thanks again for an easy, delicious recipe.
Hello Lynette, you are very welcome! I’m glad you loved this recipe and found the process easy to follow. Thanks for your excellent review!
Hi!
This was a beautiful recipe for nice and fluffy rolls. But I was dissappointed as the bread was slightly gooeey when I ate. I made them with all purpose flour. Usually I use bread flour in making my bread. Where did i go wrong
Thanks
Hi Mary, it sounds like it needs a little more bake time. I would make sure your oven is calibrated and hot enough. Also, make sure nothing was substituted in the recipe.
Thanks for the reply natasha. When i try out new recipe, first time i stick to the recipe as it is , i do not alter anything. My worry was the all-purpose flour
I did not want to bake for any more time as it was nicely browned on top .
I have no problem with the teperatures baking any other bread . I could have left for a further 5mins. to a dark brown top shall try next time
I think I would prefer to use bread flour instead
thanks for your brilliant advice
Hi Natasha! I never made dinner rolls or any bread before. After my first attempt following your recipe the rolls were amazing and I made 3 more trays to give to my two daughters families that same weekend. Everyone loved them. I am your fan for life now…love everything you cook and bake! Thanks so much!
Aww, that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Bennette. I’m all smiles
Definitely will be keeping the recipe in my book, and rotation!! By far the easiest and tastiest dinner roll recipe!
Yay, that’s awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Sarah.
Hi, Natasha, I am excited to try this recipe tomorrow! I am fairly new to bread making, but I am really enjoying it! What are your thoughts on using bread flour vs. all purpose for these delicious looking rolls. I see the recipe of course calls for AP flour, but I have both on hand 🙂 Thank you for your time! I appreciate your work and sharing these recipes.
Hi Marlee, we tested these with Bob’s Red Mill All-purpose flour. I think it should work with bread flour, which tends to have slightly more gluten. If you experiment, let me know how it turns out.
Can these be frozen after the first rise?
Hi Anna, I haven’t tried that yet to advise. For Freezer-friendly dinner rolls, bake your rolls as directed. Allow them to cool completely and then place them in an airtight, freezer-friendly container. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then reheat in the microwave or oven. If you freeze them the same day they are baked, they will keep their freshness when thawed. This is the process that I have tried.
If I plan on freezing the rolls should I still brush with butter after I bake them or brush them after I thaw/reheat them?
Hi Jenn, I would brush after they are thawed and puffed.
Made exactly as per instructions, though brushed with butter before and after baking. Used all purpose flour, which I believe makes them softer and fluffier than bread flour (the recipe doesn’t specify). Excellent recipe. Easy to follow instructions.This will be my go to for soft dinner rolls or small buns.
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
These are the best rolls. Light and soft. They are so easy to make.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This is my go to bread recipe!! I’m in college, and my roommate and I will live off these for days when I make them. Thank you for the recipe!
You are very welcome! Glad you loved this recipe.
Hi natasha. I’m from Mauritius. I love this recipe, i have even tried to use the batter for a chocolate loaf bread and it was a hit. I am now trying to make it with dried raisins. Thanks a lot.
That’s great to hear! I haven’t tried that yet so thank you for sharing that with us.
I made these dinner rolls for the first time and was amazed at how fluffy and tasty they came out. I did not expect them to come out so beautiful.
I can’t thank you enough for this wonderful recipe. This is a keeper!
I also used the oven method to speed up the rising time. Worked out just fine.
It sounds like you found a new favorite! Thank you for sharing that wonderful review with us.
These were absolutely the best recipe I have found and it so simple. My husband has me making them again. The tip about putting a damp towel in the microwave was the best tip. I have had issues with rising but no issues here. Thanks for sharing!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
When do we take the rolls out of the pan?
Hi Jane, 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.
Is it ok to use 2% milk instead of whole milk
Hi Kimberley, 2% milk should work fine.
hi Natasher, rolls came out amazing except they are a little doughy on the bottom. any suggestions please
I Karen, it sounds like they need a little more bake time. Was anything possible altered in the recipe?
Can you use instant yeast instead? Thank you!
Hi Stephanie, instant yeast will also work and may rise a little faster so be careful not to let it overproof. With instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step initially and just whisk together the wet ingredients then add yeast with your first cup of flour.
Natasha 🌹 I made this delicious bread perfect my family love it, so soft thank u for ur recipe love u ❤️🌹🙏👌
You’re very welcome! So good to know that your family enjoyed the rolls.
Natasha You r just awesome…love the recipes.
You’re so nice! Thank you!
These dinner rolls were AMAZING, definitely a do over, noticed they were a little sweet, can I reduce the amount of sugar?
Hi Wen, I’m happy you enjoyed them! I have always added and used this amount of sugar – it helps feed the yeast but also balances the flavor of the rolls – they don’t really taste sweet. I think they would still work with less sugar though.
Could I use this recipe to make just a normal bread loaf?
Hi Alyssa, I haven’t experimented on that yet but I imagine that will work. If you give it a try, please share with us how it goes.
I came here to ask this exact question!
I’ve made these a few times already, they just get better and better.. would they work as 2 white bread loaves?
So great to hear that, Kathryn. I haven’t tried that yet but I imagine that should work. Please share with us how it goes if you try it!
I’m so happy to see this recipe! Question: To make the yeast dough rise faster, is this correct, or do you mean put the bowl in the oven COVERED with a towel?
“Oven Method: Preheat the oven to the lowest setting of 150˚F for 2 minutes then turn the oven OFF, place your dough bowl into the oven over a towel and close the door. “
Hi Carol, I put the towel under the bowl so the bowl doesn’t get too hot from the oven rack. Just be sure not to forget the towel in the oven when preheating for baking later.
Mahalo for the explanation!