If you’re searching for the softest, fluffiest bread that melts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with just about any meal, I’ve got just the thing for you. The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe is my go-to whenever I want to impress family or friends with warm, buttery rolls fresh from the oven. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked—and your kitchen will smell like heaven!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these staples right in your pantry and fridge.
- Quick Rise Time: Unlike many roll recipes, this one is gentle without long hours of waiting around.
- Perfectly Soft Texture: Thanks to the right balance of butter and milk, these rolls stay soft for days.
- A Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these, and I bet yours will too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe lies in the simple harmony of its ingredients. Each one plays a part to create those fluffy little pillows you’ll find irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Stay true to all-purpose flour for the best texture; bread flour can make rolls denser.
- Rapid rise, instant yeast: This is your shortcut to faster rising without compromising flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the buttery richness.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor, so don’t skip it!
- Warm milk (110 degrees): Helps activate yeast and keeps the dough tender.
- Butter (softened and melted): Softened butter is key in the dough, while melted butter brushed on top adds that irresistible golden finish.
- Egg (room temperature): Provides structure and richness to the rolls.
Variations
I love that The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe invites creativity. Whether you need to tweak it for dietary preferences or kick up the flavor, you can make these rolls your own.
- Herb Butter Rolls: Toss fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into the melted butter before brushing it on top—I’ve done this for holiday dinners and everyone loved the extra aroma!
- Whole Wheat Blend: Swap half the flour for whole wheat to add fiber and a nutty flavor; just add a splash more milk if the dough feels dry.
- Garlic Parmesan Rolls: Sprinkle grated parmesan and garlic powder over the rolls right after buttering—perfect for those who want a savory kick.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat and plant-based butter to keep them soft without sacrificing taste.
How to Make The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mixing the Dough
Start by combining 3 cups of flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, warm milk, softened butter, and an egg in your stand mixer’s bowl. Attaching the dough hook, turn to the lowest speed and mix until the flour is just blended in—scrape down the sides once or twice so everything’s incorporated. Then bump the speed up to medium and beat for about 2 minutes. You’ll notice the dough starting to come together but it’s still tacky.
Step 2: Incorporating More Flour and Forming the Dough Ball
Now here’s the trick I learned: add flour gradually in half-cup increments—start with ½ cup, mix until it’s absorbed, and then another ½ cup. By the end of this, you’ll have a soft, slightly sticky dough that pulls cleanly from the sides. If your dough still feels too wet, sprinkle a couple more tablespoons of flour, but be careful not to overdo it—you want soft rolls, not tough ones!
Step 3: First Rise and Punch Down
Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover it loosely with a towel or plastic wrap. Set it somewhere warm to rise for 30 minutes. When it’s roughly doubled and puffed up, punch down gently to release the air. This step is honestly so satisfying, and it helps create those tender layers inside each roll.
Step 4: Shaping the Rolls
Pinch off pieces of dough—about 2 ounces each if you want uniform rolls—and shape them into smooth balls. I like to weigh mine to keep them consistent; it makes baking even and pretty! Place them spaced evenly in a greased baking dish or quarter sheet pan. Cover again and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pop the rolls in for 12 to 15 minutes until they’re golden brown on top. If you notice them getting too dark before fully baked, just tent with foil—no worries, it happens to me too! The final touch is brushing hot rolls with melted butter right when they come out; this keeps them shiny and adds extra richness.
Pro Tips for Making The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Warm Liquids: Make sure your milk is warm, not hot—around 110°F—so it activates the yeast without killing it.
- Don’t Over-Flour: Add flour slowly—as soon as the dough pulls away and feels soft, stop! Over-flouring leads to dry rolls.
- Cover Properly: Keep the dough covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to prevent drying out during rising.
- Brush Butter Hot: Brushing with melted butter right out of the oven locks in moisture and gives you a beautiful golden shine.
How to Serve The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love brushing these rolls with melted butter and sprinkling a touch of flaky sea salt on top for a little extra pop. Sometimes I add fresh minced herbs like parsley or chives right after buttering for a fresh twist that brightens up each bite.
Side Dishes
These rolls disappear fastest when I serve them alongside hearty soups, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted chicken. They also’re a knockout with holiday dinners—think turkey or prime rib—helping soak up all those tasty juices.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to arrange these rolls in a round pan touching side-by-side so they bake into the shape of a pull-apart loaf—perfect for sharing! Another favorite is topping them with cheese and herbs, then popping them under the broiler for a minute for extra flavor and a golden crust.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover rolls in a sealed plastic bag at room temperature, and they stay soft for up to 3 days. Just pop the bag closed while the rolls are completely cool so condensation doesn’t make them soggy.
Freezing
I freeze these rolls regularly—either before the second rise or after baking. Wrap rolls tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. This has saved me so many times on busy weeknights!
Reheating
To warm rolls, I wrap them in foil and heat at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Then, I hit them with a quick brush of melted butter for that fresh-baked feeling. If you’re in a hurry, a quick 15-second zap in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel also works without drying them out.
FAQs
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Can I make The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand following the same steps. It might take a bit more elbow grease, but the resulting rolls will still be soft and delicious. Just knead for about 8-10 minutes until you have a smooth, slightly sticky dough.
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How do I know when the rolls are done baking?
They should be beautifully golden brown on top and sound hollow when you tap the bottom. Internal temperature for fully baked rolls is around 190°F if you want to be exact. If you follow the timing closely, you should get perfect results every time.
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Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
You can, but active dry yeast needs to be proofed first in warm water with a bit of sugar until it’s foamy (about 5-10 minutes). Instant yeast skips this step and mixes directly with dry ingredients, which speeds up the process.
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What’s the best way to keep rolls fresh longer?
Store rolls in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature, and avoid the fridge because it dries bread out quickly. For keeping longer than three days, freeze them wrapped tightly and thaw before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This recipe for The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s so comforting and foolproof. Every time I bake these, it reminds me of cozy family dinners and the joy of breaking bread together. I really hope you give them a try—you won’t believe how easy they are and how quickly they disappear! So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for your new favorite roll recipe.
Print
The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These BEST Dinner Rolls are light, fluffy, and buttery, made from simple ingredients and perfect for complementing any meal. They come together quickly with a stand mixer and bake into soft, golden rolls that are irresistible warm or stored for later.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 – 5 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons rapid rise, instant yeast
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ cups warm milk (110 degrees Fahrenheit)
- 5 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 egg, room temperature
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Mix the dough ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm milk, softened butter, and egg. Attach the dough hook and mix on the lowest speed until the flour is incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Knead the dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Add ½ cup of flour and blend with the dough hook until incorporated. Repeat with another ½ cup flour, mixing for an additional 2 minutes until a ball of dough forms. Add more flour if necessary. The dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and pulling away from the bowl edges.
- First rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Deflate the dough: Remove the cover and gently punch down the dough to release air.
- Shape the rolls: Pinch off pieces and form 24 rolls, weighing about 2 ounces each to keep uniform size. Place them on a lightly greased quarter baking sheet or 9×13 baking dish, spaced evenly.
- Second rise: Cover the rolls again and let them rise at room temperature for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven & bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Tent with foil if they brown too quickly.
- Brush with butter and serve: Remove the hot rolls from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter. Serve warm or cool completely and store in a plastic bag for up to 3 days.
Notes
- These buttery dinner rolls are soft and fluffy, perfect as a side for any meal.
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook helps achieve the right dough consistency quickly.
- Keep the dough slightly sticky but manageable by adding flour gradually.
- Weighting the rolls ensures even baking and uniform size.
- Brush with melted butter while warm for a soft, shiny crust.
- Rolls can be stored in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 74
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 136 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
