Closing your eyes and biting into a warm, pillowy soft roll is one of those simple joys in life. That's exactly what you'll get with this Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe—they're irresistibly tender, slightly buttery, and perfect for soaking up gravy or serving alongside your favorite meal. Let's get rolling!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I've tried quite a few homemade rolls, and this Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe is one I keep coming back to. It's incredibly reliable and makes your kitchen smell like the kind of bakery that’s just around the corner from your childhood home. Plus, making rolls from scratch feels like such a rewarding experience.
- Consistently soft texture: Thanks to a blend of warm milk, melted butter, and eggs, these rolls stay tender and fluffy every single time.
- Simple ingredients: You likely have everything on hand, which makes this great for a last-minute bread craving or holiday dinner prep.
- Easy to shape: Dividing the dough into equal balls is straightforward and fun—plus, it gives you those classic pull-apart rolls everyone loves.
- Customizable finishing touches: Brush with egg wash for shine, melt some butter on top, and sprinkle flaky sea salt for that perfect flavor boost.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic here lies in how each ingredient combines to create that ideal fluffy texture, while staying rich and soft. Choosing the right type of flour and tempering your liquids makes all the difference—plus, using instant yeast keeps the process straightforward.
- Lukewarm water: Just right to activate your yeast without killing it—think warm bath temperature, about 100 to 110°F.
- Warm milk: Adds richness and tenderness, soaking into the dough for softness you can really feel.
- Unsalted butter: Provides flavor and moisture; melting it first helps it blend smoothly with other wet ingredients.
- Large eggs: Give structure and a delicate richness to the rolls, contributing to their beautiful color and tenderness.
- Granulated sugar: Not only sweetens lightly but also helps yeast do its job faster.
- Fine sea salt: Balances flavor without overpowering, also strengthens gluten.
- Instant yeast: Convenient and fast-acting, no proofing necessary—perfect for busy bakers.
- Bread flour: The higher protein content creates that beautiful chew and rise you want in dinner rolls.
- Egg wash (egg + water): Gives the rolls a shiny, golden crust after baking.
- Flaky sea salt: Sprinkling after baking adds a delightful crunchy contrast and flavor pop.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to tweak—whether you want to make them slightly sweeter, add a bit of herb or garlic twist, or even make them vegan-friendly. You can definitely make these your own!
- Herb-Infused Variation: I often mix fresh rosemary or thyme into the dough or sprinkle it on top before baking for an aromatic update that my family adores.
- Vegan Adjustment: Swap the eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based milk and vegan butter—you’ll still get a great texture, just a little different richness.
- Sweet Version: Increase sugar slightly and glaze with honey butter after baking for rolls that pair beautifully with a brunch spread.
- Whole Wheat Boost: For a heartier roll, substitute up to half the bread flour with whole wheat flour, but watch for a slightly denser crumb.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Activate the Yeast
To start, grab your stand mixer bowl and combine the lukewarm water, warm milk, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. This is where the dough's softness begins—mixing these together ensures the yeast starts working its magic right away. If your kitchen is cold, I like to let this sit for 5 minutes before adding the flour to speed up rising.
Step 2: Stir in the Flour Gradually
Next, add 2 cups of bread flour and use a wooden spoon to mix until a shaggy dough forms—don’t worry if it looks messy at first! Then, attach your dough hook and slowly add the remaining flour while the mixer is on medium-low. This gradual addition helps the gluten develop without overloading the dough with flour, keeping rolls fluffy, not dense.
Step 3: Knead Until Smooth and Elastic
Turn the mixer up to medium-high and knead for 4 to 5 minutes. You’re aiming for a soft, smooth ball that’s elastic and slightly tacky—not sticky. If the dough sticks to your fingers too much, dampen your hands to handle it without adding more flour, which could toughen the rolls.
Step 4: First Rise
Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and set it somewhere warm. I like to preheat my oven to the lowest setting for just a couple of minutes, turn it off, and place the dough inside to rise. In about 1 to 1½ hours, it should double and look puffy.
Step 5: Shape and Second Rise
Grease a baking pan (9x13 inches works great) with butter. Then gently deflate the dough and cut into 12 equal pieces using a bench scraper or knife; I find a pizza cutter works well here too. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pulling edges underneath. Place them spaced evenly in the pan, cover lightly, and let rise for another hour until doubled again.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush the rolls gently with beaten egg—this adds a gorgeous shine—and bake for 20 minutes, or until nicely golden. Once out, immediately brush melted butter over the top, then sprinkle flaky sea salt for that final flavor punch.
Top Tip
Through all the times I’ve made these rolls, I’ve learned that handling the dough gently but confidently is key. Getting the right rise and not rushing any step truly make the difference between ordinary and fabulously fluffy rolls.
- Perfect Dough Feel: Don’t panic if the dough feels slightly sticky—it should be tacky for the fluffiest texture possible.
- Warm Environment Helps: If your room is chilly, create a warm spot for rising by turning your oven on for 2-3 minutes and then turning it off before placing the dough inside.
- Don’t Add Too Much Flour: Adding extra flour will make your rolls dense and dry, so trust the recipe’s flour amount and keep your hands wet when handling sticky dough.
- Egg Wash Makes a Difference: The shiny, golden finish you get from brushing the rolls right before baking really elevates their appearance and taste.
How to Serve Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
My favorite finishing touch is a generous brush of melted butter right after they come out of the oven. It keeps the crust soft and adds rich flavor. If I’m feeling a bit fancy, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or some finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives gives that perfect little pop.
Side Dishes
I love pairing these rolls with classic comfort foods—the soft exterior makes them perfect for mopping up thick stews, creamy mashed potatoes, or hearty soups like chicken noodle or chili. They’re also great alongside a holiday roast or even a simple salad for a lighter meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For celebrations, arrange the rolls in a circular pan to create a pull-apart bread centerpiece. You can even stuff them with garlic butter or cheese before baking for a delicious surprise. Wrapping a ribbon around the pan makes a lovely gift too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. They stay soft for up to three days and are perfect snacking or quick breakfast options.
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling, I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you're ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight at room temperature or warm them directly in the oven.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feel, I heat leftover rolls in a 300°F oven for about 8–10 minutes wrapped in foil. Or pop a single roll in the microwave for 15–20 seconds, but be careful not to overdo it or they'll get tough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can mix and knead the dough by hand. It just takes a bit more elbow grease—knead for about 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
If you only have active dry yeast, dissolve it first in the lukewarm water and milk mixture and let it proof for 5-10 minutes until bubbly before adding the other ingredients.
Definitely! You can do the first rise, shape the rolls, then refrigerate the shaped dough overnight covered with plastic wrap. Take them out, let them come to room temperature and do the second rise before baking for fresh rolls at the party.
Dense rolls usually mean too much flour was added or the dough didn’t rise enough. Make sure to measure flour carefully, avoid adding extras, and give the dough enough time to double in size during both rises. Handling the dough too roughly can also affect texture.
Final Thoughts
This Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe is more than just bread—it's the kind of recipe that brings warmth to your kitchen, joy to your table, and a feeling of accomplishment every time you pull those golden rolls from the oven. Whether it’s a special occasion or a cozy weeknight, I promise you’ll want to make these again and again. So roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and enjoy baking your own perfect little clouds of bread.
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Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 dinner rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Ultimate Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and enriched with milk, butter, and sugar for a tender crumb. Perfect for serving warm with melted butter and flaky sea salt, these classic rolls are ideal for any dinner table.
Ingredients
Dough
- ¼ cup (59 grams) lukewarm water (100 to 110°F)
- 1 cup (237 grams) warm milk (100 to 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 4 ½ cups (572 grams) bread flour
Egg Wash & Finishing
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Melted butter
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the lukewarm water, warm milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, and instant yeast.
- Add Flour: Stir in 2 cups (254 grams) of the bread flour with a wooden spoon until a rough, shaggy dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Attach the dough hook and turn the mixer to medium-low speed. Gradually add the remaining flour while kneading until a dough ball begins to form.
- Continue Kneading: Knead on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch.
- First Rise: Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough inside. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 hour to 90 minutes, or until doubled in size and puffy.
- Prepare Pan and Shape Rolls: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter. Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces using a bench scraper or knife. Shape each piece into a ball and place them in the pan.
- Second Rise: Lightly cover the dough in the pan with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the rolls gently with the beaten egg and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Finish and Serve: Remove rolls from oven, brush with melted butter, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Resist the urge to add extra flour even if the dough feels sticky, as this will result in denser, tougher rolls instead of soft, fluffy ones.
- If handling sticky dough is difficult, dampen your hands with water to shape the rolls more easily.
- To speed up rising, you can proof the instant yeast in the warm water and milk mixture for 5 minutes before combining all ingredients.
- This recipe can be adapted for a bread machine by adding ingredients in machine-recommended order, using the dough setting, and proceeding with shaping and baking as instructed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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