Homemade Dinner Rolls

Soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls made with simple pantry ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, and butter. This easy dinner roll recipe delivers bakery-style bread with a light texture and golden crust. Perfect for family dinners, holiday meals, soups, and sandwiches, these buttery rolls are freshly baked and brushed with melted butter for extra softness. A simple homemade bread recipe ideal for beginners and perfect for everyday meals or special occasions.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ¼ cups whole milk (divided)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

For brushing and topping

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the butter base
   Slice ¼ cup butter and place it in a stand mixer bowl with sugar and salt.
2. Warm the milk
   Heat the milk until it reaches 105–110°F. Pour 1 cup of warm milk over the butter mixture and let it sit (no stirring needed).
3. Activate the yeast
   Mix the remaining ¼ cup warm milk with the yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy, then add it to the mixer along with the beaten egg.
4. Make the dough
   Using the dough hook, gradually add flour one cup at a time. Mix until a dough forms.
5. Knead the dough
   Knead on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little extra flour until it pulls away from the bowl.
6. First rise
   Coat a bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough inside, and turn to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
7. Prepare baking dish
   Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
8. Shape the rolls
   Punch down the dough and divide into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place seam-side down in the dish.
9. Second rise
   Cover and let the rolls rise again for about 1 hour, until puffy.
10. Bake
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
11. Finish with butter
    Brush hot rolls with melted butter and serve warm.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These homemade dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery with a light, airy texture. They are simple to prepare and turn out bakery-style every time, making them perfect for everyday meals or special occasions.

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Tips

• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
• Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for best results.
• Brush with butter immediately after baking for extra softness.
• Don’t add too much flour—slightly sticky dough creates softer rolls.

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Variations and Substitutions

• Whole wheat version: Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour.
• Sweet rolls: Add a little extra sugar for a sweeter flavor.
• Garlic rolls: Mix minced garlic and parsley into the melted butter topping.
• Dairy-free option: Use plant-based milk and butter alternatives.

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FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate after the first rise and bake the next day.

Can I freeze dinner rolls?
Yes, freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months.

Why didn’t my rolls rise?
The yeast may be expired or the milk was too hot or too cold.

Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, you can replace active dry yeast with instant yeast in equal amounts.

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Serving

Serve warm with butter, soups, stews, roasted meats, or holiday meals.

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Suggestions

• Serve alongside chicken, beef stew, or pasta dishes.
• Use leftovers for mini sandwiches or sliders.
• Brush with garlic butter for extra flavor.
• Perfect for Thanksgiving, family dinners, or meal prep.