If you have ever wanted to create soft, fluffy, and utterly irresistible rolls from scratch, this Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. These rolls come out perfectly golden with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth, making them a crowd-pleaser for any meal. Whether it’s a family dinner, holiday feast, or just a cozy night in, these rolls add that special homemade touch that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Get ready for a delightful baking experience that fills your home with the warm, inviting aroma of fresh bread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of everyday ingredients, each playing a key role in giving you that perfect texture, flavor, and lovely golden color. Here’s everything you’ll gather to make magic happen:
- Active dried yeast: This is what gives the rolls their fluff and rise, so be sure to use fresh yeast for the best results.
- Water: Warm to the touch but not hot, this activates the yeast gently without killing it.
- Milk: Whole or 2% milk adds richness and tenderness to your dough.
- Butter: Melted butter brings a buttery flavor and soft crumb.
- Sugar: Just enough to feed the yeast and add a hint of sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough that provides structure and chew.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Egg: Used for the egg wash that gives your rolls a stunning shiny, golden finish.
- Additional melted butter: Brushed on the hot rolls for that irresistible buttery glaze.
How to Make Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Mix Liquids
Start by whisking the active dried yeast into warm water and letting it sit until bubbles appear on the surface, showing it’s lively and ready. Meanwhile, mix together the milk, melted butter, and sugar. Once your yeast is bubbly, add it to the milk mixture and whisk everything until well combined. This step ensures a smooth, flavorful base for your dough.
Step 2: Make the Dough
Next, combine the flour and salt in your mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook. Pour in the milk mixture, then knead at medium-low speed for 5 to 6 minutes. Your dough should become smooth and elastic — if it feels sticky, just sprinkle a little more flour to reach the perfect consistency. This kneading process is where the magic happens, developing gluten for that satisfying chew in every bite.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for about an hour, until it has doubled in size. Then punch it down gently and divide it into 12 equal pieces, shaping each into a soft ball. Arrange them in a greased 9×11 inch baking pan, cover again, and let them rise a second time until puffed up and ready to bake, about 20 to 30 minutes. This double rise is the secret to light and airy rolls.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Beat the egg for the egg wash and gently brush the tops of your rolls — be careful not to use too much or it can turn into scrambled egg on top. Bake for about 20 minutes until the rolls are beautifully golden and cooked through. As soon as they come out of the oven, brush them with more melted butter for a buttery sheen that tastes as good as it looks. Serve warm and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
These rolls are delicious on their own, but adding a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a dusting of fresh herbs like rosemary, or even a little grated cheese before baking can make them truly special. They’re perfect for anyone who loves a bit of extra flavor with minimal effort.
Side Dishes
Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls pair beautifully with hearty soups, savory stews, or your favorite roast dinner. Their soft texture makes them ideal for mopping up rich gravies and sauces, elevating your meal with every bite. Don’t forget to serve them alongside fresh salads or steamed vegetables for a balanced feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your dinner rolls the star of the table by arranging them in a braided loaf shape or pulling them apart in a casserole dish for pull-apart rolls. You can also slice and turn them into sliders with tasty fillings for a fun twist. Presentation can be as simple or fancy as you want — these rolls are ready to shine in any form!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your fresh dinner rolls, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and ready to enjoy without drying out. If you want to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.
Freezing
To freeze your Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls, place them in a sealed freezer bag or airtight container once completely cooled. They can stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Reheating
Reheat rolls by warming them in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes, wrapped in foil to lock in moisture. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and buttery aroma. You can also microwave a single roll wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 15 seconds if you’re short on time.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dried yeast?
Yes, you can! Instant yeast can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients without needing to be activated in water first. Just adjust the rising times slightly as it works faster.
What if I don’t have whole milk? Can I use another type?
Using 2% milk works perfectly well and keeps the rolls tender. You can even substitute with non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk if needed, though the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
Why do my rolls sometimes come out dense instead of fluffy?
Dense rolls often result from not letting the dough rise long enough or using water that’s too hot, which can kill the yeast. Make sure your yeast bubbles during activation and give your dough adequate rising time in a warm, draft-free spot.
Can I make these rolls gluten-free?
These rolls rely on gluten for their structure, so making a gluten-free version requires special gluten-free flour blends and possibly additional ingredients. This recipe works best with all-purpose flour for classic results.
What’s the best way to shape the rolls?
Simply dividing the dough into equal pieces and gently rolling each portion into a smooth ball works wonders. Try not to overwork the dough at this stage to keep the rolls soft and airy.
Final Thoughts
Making rolls from scratch is such a rewarding experience, and this Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe makes it simple and fun for everyone. The combination of soft texture, buttery flavor, and golden crust is guaranteed to impress your family and friends. So grab your ingredients, get your hands in the dough, and enjoy the warm comfort of freshly baked rolls straight from your oven. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
Print
Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for any meal. Made from scratch with simple ingredients like yeast, milk, butter, and flour, these rolls are a comforting addition to your dinner table. They require minimal prep, rise twice for extra fluffiness, and bake to a golden brown with a buttery finish.
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
- 1 envelope active dried yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup warm water (about room temperature warm)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
For the Finish
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Melted butter (to brush on hot rolls)
Instructions
- Activate yeast and combine liquid ingredients: Whisk the active dried yeast into the warm water and set aside until bubbles start to form on the surface, indicating the yeast is active. Meanwhile, whisk together the milk, melted butter, and sugar in a separate bowl. Add the activated yeast mixture to the milk mixture and whisk until fully combined.
- Make dough: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour and salt. Pour in the combined liquid mixture. Knead on medium-low speed for 5-6 minutes until you achieve a smooth, elastic dough ball. If the dough is too sticky, add an extra tablespoon of flour and knead until the texture improves.
- First rise: Cover the dough bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. This allows the yeast to ferment and the dough to expand, ensuring a light texture in the finished rolls.
- Shape rolls and second rise: Punch down the risen dough to release excess air, then divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them evenly spaced in a greased 9×11 inch baking pan. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again at room temperature until they look big and puffed up, about 20-30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the egg to prepare an egg wash. Lightly brush the tops of the risen rolls with the egg wash — be careful not to use too much or it may cook into scrambled eggs on top. Bake the rolls for around 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with melted butter to add flavor and a shiny finish. Remove the rolls from the pan and serve warm for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use warm water (not hot) to activate the yeast to avoid killing it; bubbles indicate yeast is active.
- If dough feels too sticky while kneading, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Egg wash gives the rolls a beautiful golden color and sheen.
- You can substitute milk with plant-based milk for a dairy-free version but texture may vary slightly.
- For softer rolls, brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Make sure to let the dough rise fully for fluffy rolls; rising times may vary based on room temperature.
