These easy dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and buttery, making them the perfect complement to any meal. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, I can have fresh homemade rolls on the table without much effort. Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers bakery-quality rolls from my own kitchen. The dough is simple to work with, the rolls come out consistently soft and airy, and they pair wonderfully with any main dish. Plus, I can make them ahead of time and reheat them when needed, making dinnertime less stressful.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Warm water
Granulated sugar
Active dry yeast
Melted butter
Salt
All-purpose flour
Additional butter for brushing

Directions

I start by combining warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl and let it sit until it becomes frothy.
I add melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture.
Gradually, I mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.
I knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
I place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
Once risen, I punch down the dough and divide it into equal portions.
I shape each portion into a ball and arrange them in a greased baking dish.
After covering them again, I let the rolls rise until puffy.
I bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F until golden brown.
While still warm, I brush the tops with additional melted butter.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12 to 15 rolls. The preparation time takes roughly 20 minutes, the rising time is about 1 hour, and the baking time is approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Variations

I sometimes mix in herbs like rosemary or thyme into the dough for a fragrant twist. For a sweeter version, I add a bit of honey to the dough. When I want a richer flavor, I substitute half the water with milk.

Storage/reheating

I store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, I wrap them in foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. For longer storage, I freeze the rolls and thaw them at room temperature before reheating.

FAQs

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

I check if the dough has doubled in size and springs back slowly when poked with a finger.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, I often make the dough the day before and let it rise overnight in the refrigerator.

What if I don’t have active dry yeast?

I can substitute it with instant yeast, but I skip the proofing step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

How do I keep the rolls soft after baking?

I brush them with butter right after baking and cover them loosely with foil until they cool.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead?

I can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the rolls might turn out a bit denser.

Conclusion

These easy dinner rolls are a must-have for any meal. I love how they turn out perfectly soft and fluffy every time. Whether for a holiday feast or a casual weeknight dinner, these homemade rolls always impress.