Dinner Rolls are a beloved staple that brings warmth and comfort to any meal. These soft, golden, and buttery rolls are perfect for soaking up gravies, pairing with soups, or enjoying as a side to your main courses. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of homemade dinner rolls that will impress your family and friends. Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a casual dinner, these rolls are a delightful addition to the table!
Why You’ll Love This Dinner Rolls
There are countless reasons to love these homemade dinner rolls. First, they’re incredibly soft bread rolls that melt in your mouth. Second, they make the perfect dinner bread for any occasion, from weekday dinners to special holidays. Third, these rolls are made with simple ingredients, making them a great option for easy dinner rolls from scratch. Additionally, you can customize them with toppings like garlic butter for added flavor. Plus, they can easily be made ahead of time or frozen for later use. Best of all, they bake up fluffy and golden every time, ensuring your meal is unforgettable!
Ingredients for Dinner Rolls
Gather these items:
- ¼ cup (59 grams) lukewarm water (100 to 110°F)
- 1 cup (237 grams) warm milk (100 to 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 4 ½ cups (572 grams) bread flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Melted butter
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
How to Make Dinner Rolls Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Combine the water, milk, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups (254 grams) of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a rough, shaggy mass.
- Step 3: Attach the dough hook to the mixer, turn to medium-low speed, and gradually add the remaining flour, kneading until a mass of dough begins to form.
- Step 4: Continue kneading on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes until a soft, smooth ball of dough is formed. The dough ball should feel elastic and slightly tacky to the touch.
- Step 5: Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl lightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Step 6: Let dough rise for about 1 hour to 90 minutes at room temperature or until the dough is big, puffy, and about doubled in size.
- Step 7: Grease a 9×13-inch or similarly shaped baking pan with butter. Gently deflate the dough.
- Step 8: Use a bench scraper, knife, or pizza wheel to divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place it in the prepared pan.
- Step 9: Lightly cover the dough with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for about 1 hour, or until about doubled in size.
- Step 10: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Step 11: Brush the rolls gently with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Step 12: Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Dinner Rolls
Keep these in mind:
- For best results, use fresh yeast for a good rise.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
- Experiment with different toppings, such as herbs or cheese, to create unique variations.
Best Ways to Serve Dinner Rolls
These rolls are versatile and can be served in various ways. Pair them with soups or stews for a comforting meal, or serve them alongside your favorite dinner bread dishes. For special occasions, consider making dinner rolls with garlic butter or serving them with sweet variations for a delightful twist.
How to Store and Reheat Dinner Rolls
To store, keep your leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. This quick method ensures they retain their fluffy texture, making them perfect for quick dinners or holiday feasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dinner Rolls
What’s the secret to perfect Dinner Rolls?
The secret lies in using the right yeast and allowing the dough to rise adequately. A warm environment helps the dough become soft and fluffy, resulting in perfect yeast rolls (source).
Can I make Dinner Rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking for the best results.
How do I avoid common mistakes with Dinner Rolls?
To avoid common mistakes, ensure that your ingredients are at the right temperature and that you accurately measure your flour. Additionally, don’t skip the resting times, as they are crucial for achieving the perfect rise.
Variations of Dinner Rolls You Can Try
There are many ways to adapt these rolls to suit your taste. Consider making sweet dinner rolls variations by adding cinnamon and sugar for a delightful treat (source). Alternatively, try making dinner rolls without yeast using baking powder for a quick version or experiment with different fillings like cheese or herbs for a savory twist.
For more delicious recipes, check out this zucchini bread recipe or this creamy sausage chowder for a comforting meal!
Print
Ultimate Dinner Rolls: 12 Soft and Buttery Delights
- Total Time: 170 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft, golden, and buttery dinner rolls come together easily and bake up perfectly every time. They’re ideal for holidays or everyday meals.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (59 grams) lukewarm water (100 to 110°F)
- 1 cup (237 grams) warm milk (100 to 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 4 ½ cups (572 grams) bread flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Melted butter
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine the water, milk, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add 2 cups (254 grams) of the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a rough, shaggy mass.
- Attach the dough hook to the mixer, turn to medium-low speed, and gradually add the remaining flour, kneading until a mass of dough begins to form.
- Continue kneading on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes until a soft, smooth ball of dough is formed. The dough ball should feel elastic and slightly tacky to the touch.
- Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl lightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Let dough rise for about 1 hour to 90 minutes at room temperature or until the dough is big, puffy, and about doubled in size.
- Grease a 9×13-inch or similarly shaped baking pan with butter. Gently deflate the dough.
- Use a bench scraper, knife, or pizza wheel to divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place it in the prepared pan.
- Lightly cover the dough with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for about 1 hour, or until about doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Brush the rolls gently with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Written by Chef Anna
I'm Anna - a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and the voice behind Chef Johns Gourmet. After a decade in professional kitchens, I now spend my mornings testing recipes and my afternoons writing them down so you can make them perfectly in your own kitchen. Every one of the 1,100+ recipes on this site has been personally cooked, tasted, and refined. I write like I'm standing next to you, walking you through every step. Simple recipes. Bold flavors. Made for real kitchens.