Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe
There’s nothing more comforting than a batch of warm, fluffy Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe straight from the oven. Golden on the outside and pillowy inside, they’re perfect for any meal.
Made with just a few pantry staples, these dinner rolls rise to perfection with a tender bite and rich, buttery flavor. They’re especially magical when served fresh with a pat of butter.
Simple Stars of This Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Whole milk – Warmed to help activate the yeast and enrich the dough with creaminess.
- Unsalted butter – Melted into the dough for tenderness and brushed on top for a glossy finish.
- Active dry yeast – The leavening hero that gives these rolls their lofty, cloud-like rise.
- Granulated sugar – Feeds the yeast and lends a subtle sweetness that balances the savory.
- Fine sea salt – Enhances the flavor, making each bite sing with just the right amount of seasoning.
- All-purpose flour – The backbone of the dough, soft yet structured for the perfect chew.
How to Make These Pillowy Soft Dinner Rolls
Start by activating the yeast in warm milk with a touch of sugar—this step is essential for fluffy results. Once foamy, blend in butter, sugar, and salt.
Slowly incorporate flour until the dough forms. Knead until smooth and elastic, then let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This gives the rolls their airy texture.
Shape the dough into even balls, arrange them in a greased baking dish, and let them puff up again. Bake until beautifully golden, then brush with melted butter for that irresistible sheen.
Tips & Tweaks for Roll Perfection
Patience is key—allow the dough to rise fully for the best texture. Under-proofing will leave your rolls dense, while over-proofing can make them collapse.
For extra richness, swap whole milk with half-and-half or add a spoonful of sour cream. Want a touch of herby flair? Mix in chopped rosemary or thyme to the dough.
To shape perfectly round rolls, cup your hand and roll each dough piece against the counter in a circular motion. This tightens the surface and helps them bake evenly.
Keep ‘Em Fresh: Storing Your Soft Dinner Rolls
These rolls store beautifully at room temperature for up to 2 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 3 months.
To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. You can also microwave a roll for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-out-of-the-oven warmth. Avoid refrigerating—they’ll dry out faster.
Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk warmed to 110°F
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter melted (for brushing tops)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour measured accurately (withhold 1 to 3 Tbsp if needed)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt for finishing
- 1 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warmed milk with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and allow it to stand for 1 minute. Whisk briefly, then let it rest an additional 5 minutes until the yeast appears foamy. Incorporate the 4 tablespoons of melted butter along with the remaining sugar and the fine sea salt.
- Gradually add the flour, starting with half-cup increments, mixing well after each addition. Once the mixture becomes too thick to whisk, transition to the dough hook attachment and continue mixing on speed 2, or proceed by hand with a firm spatula. Incorporate up to 4 cups of flour, holding back the final tablespoons unless necessary. The dough should be slightly sticky but not adhere to dry fingertips.
- Knead using the dough hook for 2 minutes, or by hand for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm area to rise for approximately 2 hours or until doubled in volume.
- Turn the risen dough out onto a floured work surface and divide it into 15 to 24 equal sections, depending on the dimensions of your baking dish. Form each portion into a ball and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish or baking sheet.
- Loosely cover the rolls with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for another 30 to 60 minutes in a warm environment until visibly puffed, avoiding over-proofing. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the tops achieve a golden-brown hue.
- Upon removal from the oven, immediately brush the tops with melted butter and allow the rolls to cool to room temperature before serving.