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Say goodbye to artificial ingredients and preservatives with my Homemade Dinner Rolls recipe that produces light, fluffy, and buttery rolls that your whole family will love.
Here are some delicious recipes to pair with these rolls: Sous Vide Turkey Breast, Sous Vide Turkey Thighs, Cajun Roasted Turkey, Salisbury Steak, and Crispy Fried Chicken.
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One of my fondest holiday memories always revolved around hot rolls. I can go back now as that little kid pulling apart the rolls, being amazed at the hot steam and the way that the butter melted on those hot rolls. The only problem with that is that those were store-bought rolls.
And I can't blame my mom for taking that shortcut because making bread at home is a labor of love, but the reward is unmatched.
Since I have the skill set, my children will grow up eating homemade dinner rolls from scratch, a part of their fondest food memories. Then they'll be able to pass my dinner rolls recipe down to their kids.
This recipe took me five tries to get right the first time I made it, and then a couple more times once I switched up the technique I used. As a chef, I was taught to mix the dough with a paddle rather than a dough hook and to bake it on a baking sheet rather than a baking pan.
With those few tweaks, I was able to create dinner rolls that you can make with your family and have tons of fun while doing it, because the steps are straightforward. Once you get the hang of bread making, you'll be making cinnamon rolls, pizza, and anything else you're heart desires from scratch.
Those few adjustments make this recipe easier and less intimidating to make! Now, if you're gluten-free, you shouldn't be left out of enjoying yummy homemade dinner rolls, so check the notes for the necessary adjustments.
Let's jump into how to make these soft dinner rolls.
Dinner Rolls Key Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients you'll need to make homemade rolls.
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
While bread flour contains 1–3% more protein and is excellent for frequent bread baking, unbleached all-purpose flour is a wise choice for rolls. Its moderate protein content supports good structure, and being free from chemical bleaching preserves the flavor and texture.
Active Dry Yeast
Active dry yeast provides a reliable rise and nuanced flavor development in yeast doughs. The short blooming step also ensures the yeast is active before mixing, which supports consistent results. Using instant yeast is an option, but it reduces the quality of rise in your dough and dinner rolls.
Kosher Salt
Kosher salt regulates yeast activity while enhancing overall flavor, ensuring the rolls rise evenly without tasting bland.
Egg
Eggs enrich the dough with both fat and protein, improving texture, crumb strength, and browning through Maillard reactions.
Unsalted Butter
Unsalted melted butter enriches the dough with flavor and structure. For an alternative, oils such as avocado or canola provide a more tender crumb by retaining moisture during baking.
Sugar
Sugar not only enhances flavor but also supports yeast activity, contributing to a chewier texture and a caramelized crust.
How to Make Dinner Rolls
Once you make these homemade dinner rolls, they’ll become a regular favorite at your table. I like to bake a big batch, freeze the extras, and reheat whenever I need them. For holidays, I prepare them a few days ahead and warm them up on the big day—saving time while still serving soft, flavorful rolls.
Dough
Preheat oven to 100°F or proof. Stir together the water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it sit until the mixture looks frothy, about 5 minutes. If your mixture does not look frothy, your yeast is probably inactive and you should start again with new yeast.
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, stir in 4 tablespoons of melted butter and an egg. Add 3 cups of flour and salt, and using the dough hook attachment, mix on low for 1 minute, until the mixture is well combined.
First Rise
Add the remaining flour and mix for another minute, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be slightly sticky.
Transfer the dough to another lightly greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and set it in a warm oven or a warm spot for 1 hour, to let the dough rise and double in size.
Second Rise
Punch down the dough and weigh out 2-ounce portions (if you don’t have a scale, use your judgment to eyeball 16 portions of equal size).
To shape the dough balls, use your thumb to make an indentation in the center, then fold the dough into the center until a ball is formed.
Bake The Rolls
Place the rolls in a greased baking pan, and cover with a towel. Set in a warm spot for 30 minutes, until the rolls double in size.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Brush the rolls with the remaining melted butter and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Rotate them, then continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.
Rolls should be golden brown when ready. Cool for 10 minutes before serving with softened salted butter, jam, or cinnamon honey butter.
How To Store Dinner Rolls
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container or a storage bag on the counter for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
You can freeze the fully baked rolls by storing them in a freezer bag and keeping them in the freezer for three months. Thaw in the fridge or on the counter for 24 hours before reheating.
To reheat rolls, place them in a 350°F (176°C) oven for 8-10 minutes or until hot. If using frozen rolls, thaw overnight before reheating. Reheating frozen rolls can cause them to become mushy due to excess moisture.
Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips & Tricks
Here are a few notes on substitutions and handling the dough for an easy dinner roll recipe.
- If you want to break up the recipe, you can do the second proofing (step three) in the fridge overnight. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- If you have a bread maker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for making this recipe.
- Use warm milk instead of warm water to boost the flavor of these soft dinner rolls.
- You can do the second proofing in the fridge overnight, cover it with plastic wrap, and then allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- You can use a gluten-free flour as a one-to-one ratio substitute for the all-purpose flour. King Arthur makes a reliable gluten-free bread flour.
- You can use instant yeast as a substitute for active dry yeast. It will dramatically accelerate the growth process but reduce the size of the dough. If you use instant yeast, you can skip the step of waiting for the yeast to get frothy. Add the yeast to the flour (step two) and proceed with the recipe.
- Here's a trick I like for proofing dough in a warm place: Cut the oven temperature to 170°F (76°C), turn it off, add the dough, then leave the door ajar so it's not too hot. The ideal temperature for proofing dough is 81°F.
- A stand mixer makes this dough easy, but you can mix it by hand if needed. Start with a wooden spoon in a large mixing bowl, then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth. The dough may look rough at first, but with steady kneading, it will come together into a soft, even ball.
- You can brush the rolls with egg wash before baking instead of using melted butter.
- Be sure to use a glass measuring cup to measure your liquids and a dry measuring cup to measure your dry ingredients.
- Always use the scoop and level method when measuring flour; this ensures you don't add more flour than the recipe calls for, which often happens when you scoop flour directly from the bag or container.
Dinner Rolls FAQ
Here are readers' top questions about making dinner rolls at home.
What are the basic ingredients for dinner rolls?
A classic dinner roll recipe usually includes flour, yeast, sugar, milk, butter, salt, and sometimes eggs. Each ingredient plays a distinct role: flour provides structure, yeast facilitates rise, sugar feeds the yeast, milk and butter contribute richness, and salt adds flavor.
What is the difference between a bun and a dinner roll?
Buns are usually larger and designed to hold fillings, such as burgers or sandwiches, while dinner rolls are smaller, softer pieces of bread typically served as a side dish. Rolls are often enriched with butter, milk, or eggs, which makes them tender and fluffy compared to the sturdier texture of sandwich buns.
What are dinner rolls?
Dinner rolls are small, individual portions of bread that are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet. A classic dinner rolls recipe uses yeast for leavening, along with flour, milk, butter, and sometimes eggs to create its signature tender crumb.
What do the British call dinner rolls?
In the UK, what Americans call dinner rolls are often referred to as “bread rolls” or simply “rolls.” Depending on the region, you might also hear terms like “baps,” “cobs,” or “teacakes.”
What is the difference between dinner rolls and Parker House rolls?
Parker House rolls are a specific style ofdinner roll that originated in Boston. They’re folded over before baking, giving them a distinct layered shape and extra buttery flavor. Standard dinner rolls, by contrast, are typically round and baked in proximity to one another in a pan.
Are yeast rolls the same as dinner rolls?
Most dinner roll recipes are yeast rolls. The yeast is what gives them their light, airy texture. Some rolls may also use baking powder for lift, but yeast is the most common leavening agent in classic dinner rolls.
What makes yeast rolls light and fluffy?
The secret is in the dough’s rise. Yeast produces air bubbles that get trapped in the dough, creating a soft and airy structure. Proper kneading, resting, and proofing all help ensure your rolls bake up light and fluffy.
What makes dinner rolls light and fluffy?
In addition to yeast, enriched ingredients such as milk, butter, and eggs contribute to the moisture and tenderness of the dough. Allowing the dough to rise fully before baking is key—rushing this step can result in dense rolls instead of pillowy ones.
More Bread Recipes
If you love making rolls, try out some of these recipes.
- No-Yeast Rolls
- Honey Rolls
- Hawaiian Rolls
- Garlic Rolls
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
- Homemade Pizza Dough
- Buttermilk Rolls
- Pecan Sticky Buns
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized and moving fast in the kitchen.
Step 1: Get all ingredients for the dinner rolls on the counter.
Step 2: Measure each ingredient into its own individual bowl.
Step 3: Follow the recipe and get ready for the best fluffy dinner rolls you've ever made.
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 envelope active dry yeast 2 ¼ teaspoons
- 5 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour scoop and level
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 stick of butter melted divided
- 1 large egg beaten
Instructions
Dough:
- Preheat oven to 100°F or proof. Stir together the water, sugar, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let it sit until the mixture looks frothy, about 5 minutes. If your mixture does not look frothy, your yeast is probably inactive and you should start again with new yeast.
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, stir in 4 tablespoons of melted butter and an egg. Add 3 cups of flour and salt, and using the dough hook attachment, mix on low for 1 minute, until the mixture is well combined. Add the remaining flour and mix for another minute, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be slightly sticky.
First Rise:
- Transfer the dough to another lightly greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and set it in a warm oven or a warm spot for 1 hour, to let the dough rise and double in size.
Second Rise:
- Punch down the dough and weigh out 2-ounce portions (if you don’t have a scale, use your judgment to eyeball 16 portions of equal size). To shape the dough balls, use your thumb to make an indentation in the center, then fold the dough into the center until a ball is formed. Place the rolls in two 9 x 13 greased baking pans or on a baking sheet, and cover with a towel. Set in a warm spot for 30 minutes, until the rolls double in size.
Bake The Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Brush the rolls with the remaining melted butter and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Rotate them, then continue baking for an additional 10 minutes. Rolls should be golden brown when ready. Cool for 10 minutes before serving with softened salted butter, jam, or cinnamon honey butter.
Notes
- If you want to break up the recipe, you can do the second proofing (step three) in the fridge overnight. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- If you have a bread maker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for making this recipe.
- Use warm milk instead of warm water to boost the flavor of these soft dinner rolls.
- You can do the second proofing in the fridge overnight, cover it with plastic wrap, and then allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
- You can use a gluten-free flour as a one-to-one ratio substitute for the all-purpose flour. King Arthur makes a reliable gluten-free bread flour.
- You can use instant yeast as a substitute for active dry yeast. It will dramatically accelerate the growth process but reduce the size of the dough. If you use instant yeast, you can skip the step of waiting for the yeast to get frothy. Add the yeast to the flour (step two) and proceed with the recipe.
- Here's a trick I like for proofing dough in a warm place: Cut the oven temperature to 170°F (76°C), turn it off, add the dough, then leave the door ajar so it's not too hot. The ideal temperature for proofing dough is 81°F.
- A stand mixer makes this dough easy, but you can mix it by hand if needed. Start with a wooden spoon in a large mixing bowl, then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth. The dough may look rough at first, but with steady kneading, it will come together into a soft, even ball.
- You can brush the rolls with egg wash before baking instead of using melted butter.
- Be sure to use a glass measuring cup to measure your liquids and a dry measuring cup to measure your dry ingredients.
- Always use the scoop and level method when measuring flour; this ensures you don't add more flour than the recipe calls for, which often happens when you scoop flour directly from the bag or container.
- Try my cinnamon honey butter on these rolls to give Texas road house a run for their money.
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