These 30-minute soft dinner rolls are my go-to recipe when I want homemade bread on the table fast. They’re fluffy, warm, and just slightly sweet—making them perfect for soaking up gravies, spreading with butter, or enjoying as-is. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a holiday meal, these rolls never disappoint.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how quick and reliable this recipe is. The dough comes together in minutes, and I don’t need any special tools besides a bowl and a mixer (though I can knead by hand too). The rolls bake up golden and soft, and I can easily dress them up with garlic butter, honey butter, or a sprinkle of cheese. Even better, they freeze well and reheat like a dream.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 ¼ cups warm water (115–125 °F)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp active dry yeast
⅓ cup vegetable oil (or substitute olive oil)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 ¾ cups all‑purpose flour
Directions
I start by lining a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, I combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. I let this mixture proof for about 2–5 minutes until it’s bubbly.
I add the oil, salt, egg, and flour (a cup at a time). I mix until everything is well incorporated, then let the mixer knead the dough for about 4 minutes. The dough should feel soft but not sticky.
After spraying my hands with baking spray (or oiling them lightly), I shape the dough into 15 balls.
I place the dough balls into the prepared pan, cover with a clean towel, and let them rise while the oven preheats.
I preheat the oven to 375 °F (about 190–191 °C), then bake the rolls for 20 minutes, until they turn a beautiful golden brown on top.
When they’re fresh out of the oven, I brush them with melted butter and serve.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 15 dinner rolls. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Serving Size: 1 roll Calories per serving: 169 kcal
Variations
When I want to switch things up, I brush the tops with garlic butter before baking for a savory twist, or sprinkle on some grated parmesan cheese. For a sweeter version, I like to serve them warm with honey butter. If I don’t have a stand mixer, I knead the dough by hand or use a bread machine set to “dough” mode, then shape and bake as usual.
Storage/Reheating
To keep the rolls fresh, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They reheat beautifully—just a quick 30 seconds in the microwave brings them back to life. I also like to let them sit out for about 15 minutes before serving if I’m pulling them from the fridge.
FAQs
How do I know if my yeast is still good?
If the yeast mixture doesn’t bubble during the proofing step, it’s likely expired. I always check the date and make sure the water temperature is right—not too hot or cold.
Can I freeze the dough or the baked rolls?
Yes, I can freeze both. I prefer to freeze the baked rolls, then thaw and warm them before serving. They still taste fresh and soft.
What if my rolls come out dense?
That usually means the yeast didn’t activate properly or I added too much flour. I make sure to measure carefully and watch my proofing times.
Can I make these rolls vegan?
Yes, I can substitute the egg with a flax egg and use plant-based milk and oil to make them vegan-friendly.
Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?
No, I don’t. While a mixer helps, I’ve had great results kneading the dough by hand or using a bread machine on the dough setting.
Conclusion
These 30-minute dinner rolls are a staple in my kitchen. They’re soft, versatile, and so quick to make, they’ve saved me on more than one busy day. Whether I’m planning ahead or pulling something together last minute, I know I can count on this recipe for fresh, homemade bread every time.
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls ready in about 30 minutes — perfect as a quick homemade bread side.
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups warm water (115–125 °F)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp active dry yeast
⅓ cup vegetable oil (or substitute olive oil)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 ¾ cups all‑purpose flour
Instructions
Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it proof for 2–5 minutes.
Add in oil, salt, egg, and flour (one cup at a time). Mix until combined, then let the mixer knead the dough about 4 minutes. (The dough should be soft.)
Spray your hands with baking spray (or lightly oil) and shape the dough into 15 individual balls.
Place the balls into the prepared 9×13 pan, cover with a dish towel, and let them rise while your oven preheats.
Preheat oven to 375 °F (≈ 190–191 °C). Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown.
Remove from oven and brush the tops with melted butter before serving.
Notes
If the rolls come out dense, it might be due to expired yeast, water being too hot/cold, or too much flour.
These rolls are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Take out 15 minutes before serving or warm in microwave for ~30 seconds.
Variations: brush with garlic butter for garlic rolls, sprinkle parmesan, or serve with honey butter.
You don’t have to use a stand mixer — you can knead by hand or use a bread machine (use dough setting, then shape & bake).
