These homemade dinner rolls are a perfect complement to almost any main course. Light, fluffy, and tender, they often become a favorite at the table. With just a few pantry staples you can serve warm, buttery rolls in no time.
Many families often order takeout for convenience, but homemade meals let you control ingredients and nutrition while still pleasing picky eaters. I like preparing simple, comforting dishes at home that everyone enjoys.
Some favorites in our house include salmon burgers and ham and cheese sliders. Dinner rolls aren’t a main dish (though tempting), but they pair beautifully with soups, roasts, pasta, and more.
How To Make Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Begin the dough – Combine the warm water and active dry yeast and let rest 5–6 minutes until foamy. Add the hot milk, egg, sugar, melted butter, and salt, mixing until combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
- Finish the dough – Add the bread flour and knead with a dough hook for 8–10 minutes. The dough should be slightly sticky but cohesive.
- Let the dough rise – Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead a few seconds by hand. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls – Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a round by tucking the edges underneath. Butter a 9×13-inch pan and arrange the rolls with a little space between them. Cover and allow a second rise for about 40 minutes.
- Bake the rolls – Brush the tops with an egg wash, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Brush with melted butter after baking, if desired.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Storage – Store cooled rolls wrapped in plastic wrap in a cool, dry place like a pantry for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks or freeze for up to two months. When freezing, separate layers with parchment or wax paper.
- Reheating – Microwave individual rolls for about 30 seconds from room temperature, or start with 10–15 seconds from cold and add time as needed. You can also warm rolls in a 300°F oven for 5–10 minutes.
- Garnishing – Brush the finished rolls with melted butter for a classic finish. Alternatives include garlic butter, a cinnamon-sugar dusting, or leaving them plain.
- Additional flavors – Fold fresh herbs or spices into the dough for different profiles: chopped rosemary, thyme, shredded cheese, or crushed red pepper for heat. Experiment to match your main dish.
- Turn them into garlic bread – Split rolls, spread butter mixed with garlic salt on the cut sides, and bake briefly until warm. Add shredded mozzarella and bake until melted for cheesy garlic rolls.
- Use bread flour – Bread flour gives the rolls a chewier, softer crumb than all-purpose flour. For best texture, use bread flour as directed.
How Do You Make Dough Softer?
This recipe should yield very soft rolls when followed closely. If your rolls turn out firmer than expected, try adding a teaspoon of lemon juice next time or ensure you’re using bread flour, which helps produce a softer crumb.
If you try these homemade dinner rolls, please share which variations you made and how they turned out in the comments below.
More Rolls Recipes You’re Sure to Love:
- Cheese and Garlic Crescent Rolls
- Soft Onion Rolls
- Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- Rosemary and Garlic Dinner Rolls
You can find more recipes and cooking videos from the original author on their social channels.
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
Dinner Rolls
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water about 105°F
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 ounces melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup hot milk about 115°F
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Stir the yeast into the warm water (about 120°F) and let sit 5–6 minutes until foamy.
- Beat in the hot milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg.
- Add the bread flour and knead with the dough hook 8–10 minutes until the dough is slightly tacky.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead by hand a few seconds.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Divide the risen dough into 12 pieces and shape into rounds by tucking edges underneath.
- Butter a 9×13-inch pan, arrange the rolls spaced slightly apart, cover, and let rise 40 minutes more.
- Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Brush with melted butter and serve warm.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
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