Soft & Buttery Dinner Rolls Recipe: Perfect Every Time

Quick and easy dinner rolls reinvent ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with minimal effort.

These delightful bread companions promise a perfect balance of crisp exterior and tender crumb that melts in your mouth.

Crafted for busy home cooks seeking convenience without compromising flavor, they represent the ultimate mealtime solution.

Soft and inviting, these rolls emerge from the oven looking golden and tempting.

Their versatile nature complements everything from casual weeknight dinners to elegant gatherings with equal grace.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques make these rolls accessible to bakers of all skill levels.

Perfect for those who crave homemade warmth without spending hours in the kitchen.

Secrets for Perfecting Your Dinner Roll Recipe

• Master the Yeast Activation: Ensure water is warm (not hot) to perfectly activate yeast without killing it, creating a fluffy texture.
• Perfect Dough Consistency: Add flour gradually, stopping when dough pulls away from bowl sides, preventing dense or dry rolls.
• Strategic Rising Technique: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area like a turned-off oven to help rolls rise evenly and become light.
• Smooth Ball Shaping Trick: Use gentle circular motions with your palm when rolling dough balls to create uniform, professional-looking rolls.
• Golden Brown Finish: Watch rolls closely during last few minutes of baking, rotating pan if needed to ensure even, beautiful browning without burning.

How to Keep Dinner Rolls Fresh and Enjoy Later

• Refrigerate: Place cooled dinner rolls in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain softness.
• Freeze: Wrap individual rolls in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm rolls in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap in foil to prevent drying out. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds for a quick warm-up. Brush with melted butter after reheating to restore moisture and enhance flavor.

Ideal Sides to Serve with Soft Dinner Rolls

• Pair with Hearty Protein: Serve these fluffy dinner rolls alongside roasted chicken, pot roast, or beef stew. The soft, buttery texture complements rich, savory meat dishes perfectly.
• Cheese and Wine Companion: Match these rolls with a crisp Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. A small plate of aged cheddar or brie creates a delightful appetizer combination that enhances the bread's warmth.
• Soup's Best Friend: These rolls are incredible when dunked into creamy tomato soup, butternut squash bisque, or classic beef and vegetable soup. The bread soaks up the liquid, creating a comforting and satisfying bite.
• Breakfast Transformation: Slice the rolls in half and use them for breakfast sandwiches with scrambled eggs, bacon, or as a base for eggs benedict. Their soft texture makes them versatile for morning meals.

Fun Twists on the Classic Dinner Roll Recipe

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious roll that packs extra fiber and a rustic flavor.
• Herb-Infused Rolls: Mix in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning directly into the dough for a fragrant and savory bread that pairs perfectly with soups and salads.
• Cheesy Garlic Upgrade: Sprinkle shredded parmesan or cheddar cheese on top before baking and add minced garlic to the dough for a rich, indulgent version that's sure to impress at dinner.
• Sweet Cinnamon Spin: Replace some of the sugar with brown sugar and add ground cinnamon to transform these rolls into a slightly sweet breakfast or brunch option that's reminiscent of a cinnamon roll.

Quick and Easy Dinner Rolls: The Perfect Addition to Any Meal

• Savor Quick Comfort: These dinner rolls deliver warm, soft goodness in under two hours, perfect for busy home cooks craving homemade bread without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture Delight: Featuring a pillowy interior and slightly crisp golden exterior, these rolls provide a melt-in-your-mouth experience that satisfies everyone from kids to grandparents.
• Versatile Meal Companion: Whether paired with soups, salads, holiday feasts, or enjoyed solo with butter, these rolls elevate any dining experience with their rich, buttery flavor and inviting aroma.

Must-Have Components for the Fluffiest Dinner Rolls

• Warm Water, Yeast: Essential for activating yeast and helping dough rise, creating soft and fluffy texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps with fermentation and golden brown color.

• Flour: Provides structure and volume for dinner rolls, choose all-purpose flour for best results.
• Eggs: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and contributes to soft texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor, moisture, and helps create tender crumb.

• Additional Melted Butter: Used for brushing rolls before and after baking, adds shine and extra flavor.

How to Make Soft and Delicious Quick Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• Warm water
• Yeast
• Sugar

Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Salt

Pour in the activated yeast mixture and blend until well combined.

Step 3: Build the Dough

Gradually add flour, at a time, mixing after each addition. Continue until the dough starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl. You’ll need approximately of flour total.

Step 4: Knead and Shape the Rolls

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead gently for 1-2 minutes. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions. Roll each piece into a smooth, round ball.

Step 5: Allow Rolls to Rise

Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Arrange the dough balls evenly in the pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 60-90 minutes, or until the rolls have doubled in size.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. For an extra touch of deliciousness, brush the warm rolls with melted butter before serving.

Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade dinner rolls deliver warmth straight from your kitchen with golden, buttery perfection. Fluffy, tender bread circles embrace family meals, promising comfort and deliciousness in mere minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 packages active yeast

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• ½ cup melted butter
• 3 eggs

Other Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon sugar

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining 120 milliliters () of lukewarm water with the yeast and of sugar in a spacious mixing vessel. Let the mixture rest for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbling.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, blend the melted butter, 80 grams () of sugar, eggs, and salt using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and blend thoroughly until well incorporated.
3. Incrementally introduce flour, approximately 120 grams () at a time, mixing consistently after each addition. Continue adding flour until the dough begins to separate from the bowl’s sides, aiming for a total of 480 grams () of flour.
4. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for 1-2 minutes to develop gluten structure. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions, carefully shaping each piece into a smooth, uniform sphere.
5. Generously coat a 33 x 23 centimeter (13 x 9-inch) baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Arrange the dough balls evenly within the dish, ensuring slight separation between each roll.
6. Drape a clean kitchen towel over the baking dish and allow the rolls to proof in a warm, draft-free location for 60-90 minutes. The dough should visibly expand and nearly double in volume.
7. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Once the rolls have risen, place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until the tops turn a rich, golden-brown color.
8. Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush the surface with additional melted butter for a glossy, tender finish. Serve warm and enjoy the soft, pillowy texture.

Notes

• Gentle rise time lets yeast work magic, transforming simple ingredients into fluffy, cloud-like rolls.
• Kneading develops gluten, creating that perfect tender texture every home baker craves.
• Warm water activates yeast, kickstarting the fermentation process that gives rolls their irresistible flavor.
• Melted butter adds richness and helps create a soft, golden-brown exterior that’s impossible to resist.
• Precise measurements ensure consistent results, turning even novice bakers into bread-making champions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 630mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Protein: 7.5g
• Cholesterol: 186mg