The absolute best dinner rolls you’ll ever make! Super soft and fluffy with amazing flavor. Make these easy dinner rolls with just 7 simple ingredients!
We always have homemade bread on the table during holiday dinners. Whether it’s this recipe, lion house rolls, potato rolls or garlic cheese rolls, they’re always the first thing everyone grabs.
If you’re looking for the best dinner rolls, this recipe is it! I’ve tested and re-tested the recipe at least a dozen times to make sure the rolls come out perfect. I adapted it from my famous homemade bread recipe and I have to say, there really aren’t easy dinner rolls better than this.
They’re super soft, fluffy and have the absolute best flavor. Plus they’re simple to make and require only 7 ingredients. They do take a little time to rise, but I promise it is so worth it!
And while these homemade dinner rolls make a great Thanksgiving side, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy them. They’re perfect for sliders, alongside any soup, roast or salad. Or to simply enjoy warm as a snack with butter and jam, apple butter or honey on top. So yummy!
How to make dinner rolls
Step 1: Proof the yeast
Place the yeast and 1/2 Tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Pour warm water (not too hot) over the mixture and let sit it’s nice and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Combine wet ingredients
Stir together the melted butter, 2 Tablespoons sugar, milk and salt into a large mixing bowl. Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, add them together and mix.
Step 3: Add flour to mixture
If you are using a stand mixer, put on your bread hook and then pour in 1 1/2 cups of flour (a dough hook works too). Then add in 1/2 cup of flour at a time and continue to knead, until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides.
Step 4: Let the dough rise
Coat the ball of dough and sides of the bowl with shortening or butter. Then cover the bowl with a warm towel. Set by the window and allow to rise, about 1 hour. You want the dough to double in size.
Step 5: Knead the dough
Once the dough has risen over the bowl, punch it down and place it on a floured surface. Then knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 6: Form into rolls and let rise again
Cut the dough into four pieces. Then roll each piece into 3 rolls. Place the rolls into a buttered 9×13″ pan. Then let the rolls rise again, until they have doubled.
Step 7: Bake the dinner rolls
Bake rolls in oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. When the center is cooked through, remove from the oven and coat the tops with butter. Sprinkle sea salt on top if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for making homemade rolls
- Use a dough hook. When making the dough, you can use a dough hook with a mixer or a dough hook to whisk together the dough.
- Let dough rise. Make sure to place the bowl in a warm spot to rise. You can also place on top of a heading pad. Another way to help the dough rise is to turn the oven to 100°F and then turn off. Then place the bowl inside the oven and allow to rise there.
- Use foil if browning too fast. Tent with foil if the rolls are starting to brown too fast.
- Freezer-friendly. To freeze the dinner rolls, place in a zip top bag or freezer container. You can also place the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze. Then transfer to a zip top bag or freezer container. When ready to bake, place on a buttered 9×13″ baking dish and let rise for about 4 hours. Then bake as directed.
More homemade bread:
- Homemade French Bread
- Easy Breadsticks
- Sweet Cornbread
- Homemade Bread Bowls
- Fry Bread Recipe
- Homemade Pita Bread
Dinner Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water , about 110°F
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons sugar , divided
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter , more for tops
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt , or sea salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 3 cups bread flour , more as needed
Optional: maldon sea salt for tops, butter and jam for serving
Instructions
- Place the yeast and 1/2 Tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Pour the warm water (not too hot) over the yeast mixture and let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until nice and bubbly.
- Combine melted butter, 2 Tablespoons sugar, milk and salt into a large mixing bowl. When your yeast mixture is ready, add them together and mix.
- If you are using a stand mixer, put on your bread hook and then pour in 1 1/2 cups of flour. You can also use a dough hook as well. Then add in 1/2 cup of flour at a time and continue to knead, until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides. You’ll know it’s ready when your fingers no longer stick to the dough, but it's still soft.
- Then cover the ball of dough and sides of the bowl with shortening or butter and cover the bowl with a warm towel. Set by the window and allow it it rise (about 1 hour), or until it doubles in size.
- When it has risen over the bowl, punch it down and place on a floured surface. Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes.
- Cut dough into four pieces. Roll each section into 3 rolls. Then place into a buttered 9x13" pan.
- Let the rolls rise again and once they have doubled, place them in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes. When the center is cooked through, remove from the oven and coat the tops with butter. Sprinkle sea salt on top if desired. Enjoy!
I am SO excited to try these for Thanksgiving! I have been on the hunt for the perfect roll, and if they are anything like your bread, I know these will be a winner!
These dinner rolls are so easy to make! And they look fabulous!
Great dinner for busy weeknights!
These turned out so fluffy! Loved how simple the ingredient list was perfect!
These are really perfect dinner rolls!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I love how soft and fluffy these are!! I bet they taste amazing!
So fluffy, so yummy, these are the perfect dinner rolls!