Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe (2024)

Soft Dinner Rolls are the perfect companion to any main dish. There is nothing like fluffy, warm bread rolls with honey butter or jam.

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Dinner Roll Recipe Video:

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.

How to Make 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.

Making the Yeast Dough:

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!

Shaping Bread Rolls:

1. Divide the dough: Remove the dough and separate it into 15-16 even pieces using a bench cutter tool.
2. 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).
3. Let Rolls Rise: Place dough rounds onto a greased baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for another 30-60 minutes until puffed.

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: 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. 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.

Make-Ahead Tips

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.

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