The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and deliciously buttery—perfect for any meal. With a tender crumb and golden crust, they make an excellent homemade addition to your dinner table.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons rapid rise, instant yeast
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups warm milk (about 110°F)
• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm milk, softened butter, and egg.
2. Step 2: Attach the dough hook and mix on the lowest speed until the flour is incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Step 3: Increase to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add ½ cup flour and mix until incorporated, then add another ½ cup and continue mixing at medium speed for 2 more minutes until a dough ball forms.
5. Step 5: Add more flour if necessary. The dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and pulling away from the bowl’s edge.
6. Step 6: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the cover and gently punch down the dough to deflate it.
8. Step 8: Pinch off pieces of dough and shape into 24 rolls. Weighing them around 2 ounces each helps keep sizes even.
9. Step 9: Place the rolls on a lightly greased quarter baking sheet or 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes at room temperature.
10. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. If they brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
11. Step 11: Remove rolls from oven and brush with melted butter. Serve warm or cool completely before storing.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of garlic powder or fresh herbs to the dough before the first rise.
• If your kitchen is cold, allow the dough to rise in a warm spot, such as inside an oven with the light on.
• You can substitute whole milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and tender crumb.
• Freeze baked rolls in a sealed bag, then thaw and reheat in the oven for fresh-tasting bread anytime.

Storage

Store cooled dinner rolls in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or brush with melted butter and microwave briefly for soft, fresh rolls.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand using a large bowl and your hands. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

How do I know if the rolls are fully baked?

The rolls should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Internal temperature should reach about 190°F for best results.

The BEST Dinner Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 84 reviews

• Author: Elara
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 dinner rolls 1x

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Description

These dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery, perfect for any meal. Made with instant yeast and a simple stand mixer method, they rise twice for a light texture and bake to a golden brown. Brushed with melted butter for an irresistible finish, these rolls are ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 4 – 5 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons rapid rise, instant yeast
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1½ cups warm milk (110 degrees F)
• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)

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Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, warm milk, softened butter, and egg. This mixture forms the base dough for the rolls.
2. Mix Initial Dough: Attach the dough hook to the mixer and turn to the lowest speed, mixing until the flour is incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
3. Beat Dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes to help develop gluten and create a smooth dough texture.
4. Add More Flour: Add ½ cup flour and mix until incorporated, then add another ½ cup flour and continue mixing at medium speed for an additional 2 minutes, until a ball of dough forms.
5. Adjust Flour Amount: Add more flour as needed to ensure the dough is slightly sticky, soft, and pulls away from the edges of the bowl, but is not dry.
6. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to ferment and expand.
7. Deflate Dough: Remove the cover and gently punch down the dough to release excess air.
8. Shape Rolls: Pinch off pieces of dough and form into 24 rolls, ideally weighing about 2 ounces each for uniformity.
9. Second Rise: Place the rolls on a lightly greased quarter baking sheet or 9×13 baking dish, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes at room temperature to puff up before baking.
10. Preheat & Bake: Preheat 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.
11. Finish & Serve: Remove from oven and brush hot rolls with melted butter for a shiny, flavorful crust. Serve immediately or cool and store in a plastic bag for up to 3 days.

Notes

• You can weigh the dough portions to keep the rolls even in size.
• Ensure milk is warm (110°F) but not hot to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Soft, slightly sticky dough results in fluffier rolls.
• Tenting with foil prevents over-browning during baking.
• Store cooled rolls in a plastic bag to maintain softness for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: dinner rolls, soft rolls, homemade bread, easy bread recipe, buttery rolls