The Fluffiest Dinner Rolls Recipe for Your Family Table

Soft, pillowy dinner rolls have always been my ultimate comfort food companion during cold winter meals.

Warm ovens create magical moments with these delicate bread gems.

Families gather around tables, eagerly anticipating the first bite of freshly baked goodness.

My grandmother’s cherished recipe inspired this delightful version that promises to melt hearts.

Professional bakers understand the delicate art of creating perfectly textured rolls.

Each carefully crafted piece brings warmth and joy to your dining experience.

You’ll fall in love with these irresistible rolls that transform ordinary dinners into memorable feasts.

Flavor Variations For Dinner Rolls

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious roll with added fiber and a slightly denser texture.
• Gluten-Free Dream: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the soft, fluffy texture for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter alternative to create rolls suitable for those avoiding dairy products while maintaining the same tender crumb.
• Herb-Infused Option: Mix dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning directly into the dough for an aromatic and flavorful bread variation that pairs perfectly with soups and salads.

Serving Ideas For Dinner Rolls

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve these fluffy rolls as a stunning side dish during elegant gatherings, perfectly complementing roasted meats and rich pasta dishes.
• Breakfast Brilliance: Transform leftover rolls into delectable breakfast sandwiches by slicing and filling with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or your favorite morning proteins.
• Soup Companion: Pair these warm, soft rolls with hearty soups like creamy tomato bisque or classic chicken noodle for a comforting meal that warms the soul.
• Appetizer Adventure: Create mini sliders or bite-sized hors d'oeuvres by cutting rolls in half and stuffing with savory fillings like pulled pork or herb-infused chicken.

Storage Tips For Dinner Rolls

• Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Place completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container. Seal tightly, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality.
• Warm rolls in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Wrap in aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and retain softness.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 300°F for 8-10 minutes, wrapped in foil to preserve moisture and restore original fluffy texture.

FAQs

• Why is weighing the dough important?

Weighing ensures each roll is exactly the same size, which means they’ll bake evenly and look uniform, preventing some rolls from being over or undercooked.

• Can I make the dough in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time. After portioning the dough into balls, you can freeze them on a parchment-lined tray. When ready to bake, defrost in the refrigerator and let the dough rise before baking.

• How do I know if my yeast is still good?

If the yeast doesn’t become foamy after 5 minutes in the warm milk and sugar mixture, it’s likely old and won’t work properly. Fresh yeast will become visibly bubbly and active.

Reasons To Love Fluffy Dinner Rolls

• Customize with Ease: Create two delightful flavor variations – honey butter or garlic parmesan – that let you switch up your dinner roll game without complicated techniques.
• Perfect for Crowd Pleasing: Yields a generous batch of 24 rolls, making it ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, or meal prep with simple portioning instructions.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Freeze the dough balls in advance, giving you flexible meal planning and the ability to enjoy freshly baked rolls whenever you want without starting from scratch.
• Simple Technique, Gourmet Results: Using a stand mixer and straightforward steps, even novice bakers can achieve professional-looking, restaurant-quality dinner rolls with golden, soft textures.

Ingredients Needed For Dinner Rolls

• Milk: Provides moisture and helps activate the yeast for soft, tender rolls.
• Butter: Adds richness and contributes to the fluffy texture of the rolls.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with browning and flavor development.
• Yeast: Essential for making the dough rise and creating a light, airy texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness to the rolls.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient for the dinner rolls.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the rolls.

• Honey, Butter, Flaky Sea Salt: Creates a sweet and salty glaze for the rolls.
• Garlic, Parsley, Parmesan Cheese: Provides a savory, aromatic topping for the rolls.

• Butter: Used for greasing the baking sheet and brushing on top of the rolls.
• Plastic Wrap: Helps cover the dough during rising process.

How To Bake Fluffy Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Warm milk and butter in a small saucepan until it reaches 100 degrees F.

In a stand mixer bowl with dough hook, combine sugar and yeast.

Pour the warm milk and butter mixture over the yeast and sugar.

Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy and bubbly.

If the yeast doesn’t foam, it might be expired.

Add eggs and flour to the bowl, mixing on low speed.

Gradually sprinkle in salt as the dough forms.

Continue mixing on low for 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 2: First Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm location.

Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

Grease a large baking sheet or two smaller sheets.

Punch down the risen dough.

Weigh the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a smooth ball.

Place the dough balls on the baking sheet, spacing them one inch apart.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise again until doubled and rolls are touching.

Step 4: Prepare Honey Butter

• Butter
• Honey

Melt butter and combine with honey until well mixed.

Allow the mixture to cool and thicken slightly.

Step 5: Create Garlic Parmesan Topping

• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt
• Parsley

Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat.

Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Stir in salt and parsley.

Step 6: Bake the Rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Remove plastic wrap from rolls.

Brush rolls generously with butter.

For honey butter rolls, sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

For garlic parmesan rolls, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown on top.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove rolls from oven.

Let cool before serving.

For garlic parmesan rolls, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese after cooling.

Step 8: Make-Ahead and Freezing Options

To freeze, place portioned dough balls on a parchment-lined tray.

Freeze until solid.

Defrost in refrigerator and allow to rise before baking.

This recipe can be halved or doubled as needed.

Tips For Perfect Dinner Rolls

• Ensure your yeast is active by watching for foam formation when mixed with warm milk and sugar. Inactive yeast will prevent proper dough rising.
• Use a kitchen scale to divide dough into 24 equal pieces, guaranteeing uniform roll sizes and consistent baking results.
• Place dough in a warm, draft-free area like a turned-off oven or near a warm appliance to help it rise effectively and develop soft texture.
• Portion and freeze unbaked rolls on a parchment-lined tray, then defrost in the refrigerator and let rise before baking for convenient meal prep.

Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade fluffy dinner rolls dance with buttery warmth straight from grandmother’s kitchen. Golden brown perfection welcomes you to savor comfort baked with love and shared around family tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Flour and Leavening Agents:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
• flaky sea salt for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining it with sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Gently pour warm milk and butter mixture (100°F) over the ingredients and allow to rest for 5 minutes until foamy. Verify yeast’s viability through foam formation.
2. Incorporate eggs and flour into the mixture, mixing on low speed. Gradually add salt while continuing to mix for 10 minutes until dough becomes smooth and elastic.
3. Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles.
4. Prepare baking sheet by greasing thoroughly. Deflate risen dough and divide into 24 uniform pieces by weight for consistent sizing.
5. Shape each portion into a round ball, positioning them one inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow second rise until rolls touch each other.
6. Create honey butter by melting butter and blending with honey until well incorporated. Allow mixture to cool and slightly thicken.
7. Prepare garlic butter by gently cooking minced garlic in melted butter for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in salt and parsley.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and generously brush with selected butter variation.
9. For honey butter rolls, sprinkle flaky sea salt after brushing. For garlic parmesan, dust with grated cheese after butter application.
10. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow slight cooling before serving.
11. Optional: Freeze unbaked rolls by placing portioned dough balls on parchment-lined tray. Defrost in refrigerator and permit rise before baking.
12. Recipe can be halved or doubled, with butter measurements adjusted accordingly.

Notes

• Activate instant yeast by ensuring milk and butter are precisely 100°F to guarantee proper fermentation and rise.
• Check yeast freshness before starting; inactive yeast will prevent dough from rising correctly and result in dense rolls.
• Weigh dough portions meticulously for consistent roll sizes, promoting even baking and professional-looking presentation.
• Handle dough gently during rising and shaping to maintain air pockets, which contribute to the rolls’ light, fluffy texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg