Overnight Dinner Rolls Recipe
Soft, golden, and irresistibly buttery, this Dinner Rolls Recipe guarantees the most pillowy rolls you’ve ever tasted. Serve them warm with family dinners, Sunday roasts, or festive holiday spreads.
Perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned cooks alike, these dinner rolls rise beautifully and melt in your mouth. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’ll create a side dish that steals the spotlight.
What You’ll Need for the Perfect Dinner Rolls
- Whole Milk – Warm milk activates the yeast and keeps the rolls tender and rich.
- Instant Yeast – Provides a quick rise and ensures the rolls are airy and fluffy.
- All-Purpose Flour – Forms the sturdy, soft structure that’s light yet satisfying.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds decadent richness and creates that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar – Feeds the yeast and balances the flavors with a hint of sweetness.
- Large Egg – Binds the dough and contributes to a soft, rich crumb.
- Salt – Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
How to Make Dinner Rolls: A Quick Look
Start by mixing warm milk and instant yeast, then add some flour, softened butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Beat until combined before switching to a dough hook and kneading in the remaining flour.
Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about an hour. Shape into 15 equal balls, arrange in a greased baking dish, and let them puff up again.
Bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until golden brown, then brush the tops with melted butter for an extra touch of indulgence. Serve warm and watch them disappear!
Pro Tips for Dinner Roll Success
For the most successful Dinner Rolls Recipe, use milk that’s warm but not hot—around 110°F—to activate the yeast properly without killing it. Always check your yeast’s expiration date for reliable results.
Shaping the dough balls tightly is key for the smoothest, most professional-looking rolls. Work the dough gently to preserve its airy texture, and don’t skip the second rise, which gives them that perfect fluffy finish.
If you love extra-buttery rolls, brush with additional melted butter before and after baking. For a holiday twist, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top before serving.
Keeping Your Dinner Rolls Fresh
To keep your Dinner Rolls soft and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to store them longer, freeze the cooled rolls in a zip-top freezer bag for up to two months.
When ready to enjoy, reheat the rolls in a 300°F oven for about 8–10 minutes until warm and soft. A quick brush with melted butter after reheating can bring back that fresh-from-the-oven flavor!
Dinner Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (71g)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (optional)
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour divided (420g)
- 1 cup warm whole milk about 110°F (240ml)
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 0.25oz/7g packet instant yeast (rapid rise)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk and yeast. Add 1½ cups (180g) of the flour, then incorporate the softened butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Beat using the paddle attachment at medium-low speed for approximately 1 minute, ensuring the mixture is well blended. Scrape down the bowl and paddle before switching to the dough hook attachment. Introduce another 1¾ cups (210g) of flour and mix at medium speed until the dough starts pulling away from the bowl sides, about 2 minutes. If necessary, gradually add the remaining ¼ cup of flour a tablespoon at a time to adjust the dough’s consistency; it should be moist but not sticky when touched. Continue kneading with the dough hook for an additional 2 minutes until the dough forms a ball around the hook and pulls from the bowl sides, though some sticking at the bottom is normal. The dough should feel smooth and spring back when pressed. Transfer the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm environment (approximately 75°F) until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing with softened butter or applying nonstick spray. Deflate the risen dough gently and place it on a lightly floured surface. Divide into 15 equal portions, each weighing about 55g, keeping the floured side down. Cover the dough pieces with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel to retain moisture while shaping. Shape each piece by pinching the corners to the center, flipping over, and rolling it in a circular motion under your hand to create a smooth, taut ball. Arrange the shaped dough evenly in the prepared pan, cover loosely, and allow to rise again until noticeably puffy, 30 to 45 minutes. After 15 minutes of proofing, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for approximately 20 minutes until deeply golden and puffed. Immediately brush the freshly baked rolls with melted butter. Serve warm or allow to cool before presenting.