Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Warm, pillowy golden dinner rolls grace tables across countless homes with their irresistible aroma.

These soft, buttery golden dinner rolls promise to elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Baking these delectable rolls brings pure comfort and joy to the kitchen.

Fresh from the oven, they emerge with a gorgeous golden-brown crust that beckons hungry diners.

Each roll delivers a delicate texture that melts in your mouth, creating moments of pure culinary bliss.

The simple ingredients transform into something magical with just a few careful steps.

Gather around and savor these heavenly rolls that will quickly become a cherished addition to your recipe collection.

Serve Easy Dinner Rolls Fresh From The Oven

• Butter Bliss Spread: Slather these warm rolls with homemade honey butter or herb-infused compound butter for an extra luxurious touch.
• Sandwich Superstar: Use these fluffy rolls to create mini sliders, pulled pork sandwiches, or breakfast egg sandwiches with crispy bacon.
• Soup and Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside creamy tomato soup, hearty chili, or a fresh garden salad to complement your main dish and add a comforting carb element.
• Bread Basket Centerpiece: Arrange rolls in a rustic basket lined with a clean kitchen towel for a beautiful, inviting table presentation that encourages family-style sharing.

How To Keep Easy Dinner Rolls Soft And Warm

• Quick Cool Storage: Transfer leftover rolls to an airtight container, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature. They'll maintain soft texture and delicious taste without drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual rolls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Frozen rolls stay delicious for up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven for fresh-baked taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough ahead and refrigerate overnight before final rise. This technique develops deeper flavor and saves morning preparation time. Simply remove from refrigerator, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then proceed with shaping and baking.
• Reheating Rescue: Revive day-old rolls by warming in oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap loosely in foil to prevent over-browning. Brush with melted butter for extra moisture and that fresh-baked sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 13

What Makes Easy Dinner Rolls So Simple

• Active Dry Yeast: Magical microorganism that helps dough rise and creates fluffy texture, choose fresh and unexpired.
• Warm Milk: Provides perfect environment for yeast to bloom, use room temperature milk for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps activate fermentation process, enhances roll's subtle sweetness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of rolls, select unbleached flour for better texture and flavor.
• Salt: Balances flavor and strengthens gluten structure, use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, ensure butter is melted and slightly cooled.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structural support, use fresh room temperature egg.

• Additional Melted Butter: Creates golden, shiny exterior and adds extra richness, use unsalted butter for consistent flavor.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Optional garnish that elevates flavor profile, sprinkle sparingly for elegant finish.

Tools To Get Fluffy Easy Dinner Rolls

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Stand mixer or dough hook (optional): Helps knead dough quickly and efficiently.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Provides ideal space for rolls to rise and bake together.
• Small bowl: Used for activating yeast mixture.
• Pastry brush: Helps evenly spread melted butter on rolls.
• Clean kitchen towel: Covers dough during rising process.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for mixing ingredients.

Easy Steps To Bake Easy Dinner Rolls

• Awaken the Yeast Magic

Grab your warm milk and sprinkle in some sugar and yeast. Let this delightful mixture bubble and dance for a few minutes until it looks wonderfully frothy.

• Create the Dough Wonderland

Toss flour and salt into a spacious mixing bowl. Pour in your yeasty potion, melted butter, and a fresh egg. Blend everything together until a soft, clingy dough emerges. Knead this dough lovingly by hand or with a mixer until it becomes silky smooth and wonderfully stretchy.

• Let the Dough Rest and Rise

Nestle your dough into a greased bowl, wrap it gently with a soft cloth, and find a cozy warm spot. Allow it to relax and expand for about an hour, watching it grow and transform.

• Shape Your Delicious Rolls

Gently deflate the risen dough and divide it into cute little rounds. Roll each piece into smooth, perfect balls and arrange them snugly in a buttered baking dish. Cover and let them puff up with excitement for another half hour.

• Bake and Celebrate

Fire up the oven to a toasty 375F. Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Pull them out, shower with more butter, and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky salt if you’re feeling fancy. Serve these warm clouds of deliciousness and watch everyone smile!

Secrets For Perfect Easy Dinner Rolls Every Time

• Yeast Activation Pro: Always use milk at the right temperature (110-115°F) to ensure optimal yeast performance without killing the microorganisms.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate overnight for a slow, flavorful rise that develops deeper bread complexity.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the rolls' soft, fluffy texture for those with dietary restrictions.
• Herb-Infused Delight: Fold in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough for an aromatic twist that elevates the basic dinner roll to a gourmet side dish.
• Storage Secrets: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month, reheating briefly in the oven to restore fresh-baked softness.

Golden Dinner Rolls Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade dinner rolls showcase warm, pillowy bread perfect for family gatherings. Salt, flour, and yeast combine to create irresistible comfort that brings people together at the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup (177 ml) warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
• ¼ cup (59 ml) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 ¾ cups (469 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast or instant yeast
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsps melted butter
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm milk with sugar and yeast in a small bowl, allowing the mixture to foam and bubble for 5-10 minutes until frothy and aromatic.
2. Dough Formation: Combine sifted flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Integrate activated yeast liquid, melted butter, and whisked egg, mixing until a cohesive, slightly sticky dough develops.
3. Kneading Process: Manipulate the dough through intense kneading – either manually for 8-10 minutes or using a stand mixer’s dough hook for 5-6 minutes – until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
4. First Proofing: Nestle the dough in a generously greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and place in a warm location. Allow the dough to expand and double in volume over 1-1½ hours.
5. Shaping and Second Rise: Gently deflate the dough, divide into 12-15 uniform portions, and shape into smooth, taut balls. Position rolls in a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish with slight separation. Drape with a light cloth and permit a secondary rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and slightly connected.
6. Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Delicately brush rolls with melted butter to ensure a golden exterior.
7. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 18-20 minutes until rolls transform into a rich, amber hue. Immediately after removing from oven, apply an additional butter layer and optionally sprinkle with flaky salt.
8. Serving: Present warm, celebrating their pillowy texture and irresistible aroma.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Precisely: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F – too hot kills yeast, too cold prevents activation.
• Knead for Softness: Develop gluten by kneading until dough becomes smooth and elastic, creating tender, fluffy rolls with perfect texture.
• Proof in Warm Spot: Choose draft-free area around 80-85°F for optimal dough rising, like near a warm oven or sunny window to encourage gentle expansion.
• Butter Brush Technique: Apply melted butter before and after baking for rich golden crust and enhanced flavor – use soft brush for even, light coating.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg