Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

This Homemade Dinner Rolls recipe is easy and makes the most delicious, soft, and fluffy dinner rolls you’ve ever tasted! They’re perfect for Sunday dinner or special occasions, but they’re easy enough that you can enjoy them during the week, too.

There’s nothing better than fluffy, homemade dinner rolls fresh out of the oven!

This easy Dinner Rolls recipe is based on myMom’s Homemade Buns, but I’ve added some milk and an egg to give these rolls a richer flavor.

They are less rich than myBrioche Bun recipe, but the delicious hint of sweetness here is perfect for your Thanksgiving meal!

We’ll be letting the dough rise twice for these rolls, which helps them achieve that super light and fluffy texture.

This also means there’s a bit of hands-off time when you can be prepping the other parts of your meal.

The great thing about these dinner rolls is that they’re perfect for any occasion, from your Thanksgiving dinner or holiday meal to a weeknight dinner!

For more delicious bread roll recipes that are perfect for dinnertime, try myHomemade Crescent Rolls,Buttery (Whole Wheat) Bread Machine Rolls, and myHomemade Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls!

Ingredients Needed:

• Milk:we’ll use warm, whole milk to proof the yeast for the best flavor.
• Yeast:use instant or active dry yeast for this recipe.
• Sugar:use white granulated sugar to activate the yeast and also make the dough soft with a hint of sweetness.
• Water:you can use water or milk here to make the dough. Either works great! Milk will have a slightly richer flavor.
• Butter:use salted butter for the best flavor.
• Egg:to bind the ingredients, add richness and help the rolls rise.
• Salt:to enhance the flavor of the bread.
• Flour:all-purpose flour works well here, but you can substitute in some whole-wheat flour if you like for added fibre.

How to Make Homemade Dinner Rolls

This recipe is easy to make, and you can check out my recipe video to see exactly how I do it! Full instructions are alsoincluded in the recipe card below.

1. Proof yeast: Whisk together the warm milk, yeast, and sugar.
2. Set yeast mixture aside: Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes or until bubbly—this is how you know your yeast is working.

3. Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the warm water, butter, ⅓ cup sugar, egg, and salt. Then, add the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
4. Add flour: Add the flour, one cup at a time, and mix until nearly combined before adding more.

5. Make dough smooth: Make sure your dough is soft and never stiff. Add flour gradually so it does not become tough.
6. Make dough ball: The dough should come together in a smooth, soft ball that does not stick to the sides of the stand mixer. It will be tacky but not overly sticky.

7. Cover dough ball: Place the dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
8. Let dough rise: Set the bowl in a warm spot and let it rise until doubled.

9. Punch dough: Uncover the dough, punch it down, and roll out 20-24 rounds. Place them in two greased baking dishes.
10. Let them rise: Let the rolls rise again, covered with plastic wrap or a light towel that won’t stick, in a warm spot until doubled.

11. Bake: Bake until light golden brown, brush with melted butter while warm, if desired, and serve.

Dinner Rolls FAQs

Tips and Notes

• Scrape down the bowl:Scrape the sides of the bowl as you add and mix ingredients to ensure you’re using everything in the bowl.
• Silicone mats:If you have silicone mats, you can line the baking sheets with them instead, but I prefer using greased baking sheets as it helps them to brown nicely.
• Baking pan:Ideally, bake these rolls in a deep baking dish or pan. We want the buns to touch as they rise and bake to get nice, tall rolls with soft sides and perfectly golden tops!
• Floured surface:Using a lightly floured surface to make your rolls will keep the dough from sticking to the worktop.

Dinner Roll Variations

• Change the shape.You can shape the bread dough into any kind of roll you’d like. Use this recipe forhot dog buns, garlic knots, twists, or any other shape you like. The yield of rolls will differ depending on the shape and size of the rolls you make.
• Add some cheese.Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, Mexican cheese mix, or mozzarella cheese to the dough to make these rolls cheesy, or sprinkle some cheese on top a few minutes before the end of the baking time.
• ​Make them herby.Mix 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 2 teaspoons of dried herbs like basil, parsley, or rosemary to make garlic and herb rolls.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm dinner rolls with any main dish and other side dishes to make a completely delicious meal the whole family will love.

Try them with myBaked Tuscan Chicken Breasts, thisPerfect Instant Pot Roast Beef Recipe, or myCrockpot Turkey Breastfor a yummy feast!

Serve some other delicious sides with them, likeCheesy Baked Asparagus,Roasted Carrots,Cheesy Broccoli Casserole, or myGarlic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes and Carrots Recipe.

More Homemade Bread Recipes You’ll Love