Crunchy Creamy Sweet

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
×
You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Baking

The Best Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Published: Aug 5, 2019 · Modified: Nov 7, 2019 by Anna 17 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Jump to Recipe Print Pin Recipe Comment

The Best Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe - soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls made in just one hour. Learn all of the tips to make perfect rolls every time! No stand mixer needed.

I serve these rolls for every Holiday Dinner or with a big bowl of Instant Pot Potato Soup, the Garlic and Herb Skillet Chicken and Potatoes or use them to make my Spinach Dip Sliders.

Best Dinner Rolls placed on white plate.

BEST HOMEMADE DINNER ROLLS

When it comes to homemade dinner rolls, I have high expectations. They have to be ultra-soft, fluffy, have gorgeous gold tops and be easy to make. While making rolls from scratch requires planning ahead, this recipe is done in just one hour. These rolls are slightly sweet, can be served for a holiday or special occasion dinner and also can be used to make sliders. I am sharing all of my tips that will help you make amazing dinner rolls right in your kitchen. You will be amazed at the results!

Dinner Rolls Recipe Ingredients:

  • all-purpose flour
  • active dry yeast
  • milk
  • sugar
  • salt
  • unsalted butter
  • 1 egg

How to make the Best Dinner Rolls?

To make soft and fluffy dinner rolls, you will need to use a yeast dough. It is similar to a pizza dough but it has the addition of an egg, sugar, and milk. That's what makes them ultra-soft and slightly sweet. Exactly how Dinner Rolls should be.

  • Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Heat up milk, sugar, salt, and butter in a saucepan. The mixture cannot be hot, just warm. If it's hot, it will kill the yeast and the dough won't rise.
  • Use a hand mixer to mix in wet ingredients with the dry. The mixture will be runny. Mix until smooth.
  • With a wooden spoon, stir in the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time, until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Place dough onto a floured surface, form into a smooth ball.
  • Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil into a large bowl ( you can use the same one you mixed the dough in, just wash it). Turn the dough over a few times in the bowl, to coat with oil. Cover bowl with saran wrap and place in a warm place. Let rise until doubles in size.
Yeast dough rising in a bowl for Dinner Rolls recipe.
  • Place the dough on a floured surface, divide into two and let rest for 10 minutes. This is the perfect time to butter the baking pan.
  • Divide dough into 20 pieces, form into balls and place in prepared pan. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes.
  • Preheat oven and bake rolls until golden brown on top and the edges of rolls are white.

How to arrange the dough in the pan?

To divide the dough into equal parts to make 20 rolls, divide the whole dough into 2 parts. Let them rest 10 minutes. Then using a knife or pastry scraper, press onto the dough gently to mark where to cut. You need to make 5 lines. Make sure they look the same before cutting the dough. This recipe makes 20 rolls that are the average store-bought size. I use a glass 13" x 9" casserole pan. I arrange the balls of dough into 5 rows with 4 rolls in each. Leave a little bit of space between them when placing in the dish. They will rise and fill it. You can make these rolls any size you like. You can even divide the recipe to make a smaller batch that bakes in an 8" square pan.

Would you like to save this recipe?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

The dinner rolls dough arranged in baking pan.

Can I make these rolls ahead of time?

You can make the rolls, bake them, cool them completely and store in an air-tight container. You can also form the dough and place it in a pan, then cover and store in the fridge to bake the next day. Let the pan come to room temperature before placing in the oven or it will shatter.

How do you make yeast dough rise faster?

My favorite way to create a perfect environment for a yeast dough to rise is to heat up a cup of water in a microwave-safe mug. Microwave for 1 minute. Open the microwave door and quickly but carefully place the mug with water in the corner of the microwave and place the bowl with the dough in the center. Close. Do not turn on!! Set your kitchen timer to 30 minutes. The dough should double in size. I always cover the bowl with dough with saran wrap instead of kitchen towel as the dough may stick to it and it's a mess to clean. Saran wrap is much easier. I use this method to rise my pizza dough too!

Tips for making the Best Dinner Rolls:

  • If you forgot to pull out the butter from the fridge ahead of time, place it in a bowl and microwave for just 5 to 7 seconds or to just start melting it. Add to milk and sugar mixture. If you use really cold butter, the milk will get too hot before the butter melts completely and you will have to wait for the mixture to cool to use with flour or yeast. Hot liquid will kill the yeast and the dough won't rise.
  • For this recipe, we need ⅓ cup of butter. The wrapper on a butter stick should indicate where to cut. Keep the remaining butter for brushing over the rolls before and after baking.
  • If you don't want to use granulated sugar, you can use honey instead.
  • To form perfect rolls, form each piece of dough into a coin bag, by pinching the edges and forming the bag in your palm and then rolling the dough into a smooth ball.
  • Do a test drive of this recipe days before the holiday dinner. It will help you to see how much time it takes and what you can do during the time the dough rises. I never recommend making a yeast dough recipe for the first time before a holiday or special occasion dinner.
Homemade Dinner Rolls baked in glass pan.

More Easy Rolls Recipes:

  • Garlic Parmesan Skillet Rolls (made with ready dough)
  • Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
  • 7-Up Biscuits

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

Best Dinner Rolls placed on white plate.

The Best Easy Dinner Rolls

Author: Anna
Soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls made in just one hour. Learn all of the tips to make perfect rolls every time!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 55 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 20 rolls
Calories 128 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup milk I used 2%
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter room temperature ( see note )
  • 1 large egg beaten

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 and ¼ cup of flour and yeast.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat up milk, sugar, salt and butter. The mixture needs to be warm, not hot!
  • Using a hand mixer, mix the flour and yeast and wet ingredients, by adding the liquid slowly. Add the beaten egg and mix well. Mix the yeast mixture for 2 minutes, until it is smooth. It will be quite runny.
  • Switch to a wooden spoon and add stir in the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. It will take a bit of stirring so be patient.
  • Place the dough onto a floured surface. Form into a smooth ball.
  • Wash the bowl you mixed the dough in. Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the bowl. Place dough in bowl and turn over a few times to coat with oil.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Place in draft-free, warm place ( see note ). Let rise for 30 minutes. It should double in size.
  • Punch the dough down and place on floured surface. Divide into two parts and let rest for 10 minutes. In the meantime, butter a 13" x 9" dish.
  • Divide each piece of dough into 10 pieces and form into balls. See note below for tips on forming into smooth balls. Arrange in pan, in 5 rows of 4 balls each.
  • Brush tops of dough balls gently with melted butter ( see note ).
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes OR until the tops are golden, the edges of rolls are white and they have risen to the top of the pan.
  • Cool before removing and serving.

Notes

  • If you forgot to pull out the butter from the fridge ahead of time, place it in a bowl and microwave for just 5 to 7 seconds or to just start melting it. Add to milk and sugar mixture. If you use really cold butter, the milk will get too hot before the butter melts completely and you will have to wait for the mixture to cool to use with flour or yeast. Hot liquid will kill the yeast and the dough won't rise. 
  • If you don't want to use granulated sugar, you can use honey instead. 
  • To form perfect rolls, form each piece of dough into a coin bag, by pinching the edges and forming the bag in your palm and then rolling the dough into a smooth ball. 

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 47mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

This recipe was originally published on November 19th, 2017 and updated on August 5th, 2019.

More Baking Recipes

  • Square image of skillet biscuits in a cast iron skillet.
    Skillet Biscuits
  • Square image of a close up on chocolate muffin on a plate.
    Easy Chocolate Muffins
  • Square photo of a pumpkin muffin on a petal plate with more muffins in the background.
    Pumpkin Muffins
  • Slices of pumpkin bread on a plate.
    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Comments

    5 from 6 votes

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Barb says

    December 29, 2020 at 9:56 am

    Can I use my stand mixer with dough hook?

    Reply
    • Anna says

      January 01, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      I am sure you can!

      Reply
  2. Dawn Gehlhoff says

    November 29, 2020 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    Made these for Thanksgiving one day ahead using one packet of quick rise yeast, liquids heated to 120 using a candy thermometer, and a 13x9 stoneware baker. Had my bread loving son taste test shortly after baking and had to restrain him from eating more. Cooled completely, then covered baker overnight. Reheated in a 400 oven for 5-6 min. Perfectly delicious!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      November 29, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Dawn!

      Reply
  3. Charlie says

    October 07, 2020 at 8:05 am

    Can these be frozen in advance?

    Reply
  4. Erin says

    December 10, 2018 at 8:48 am

    5 stars
    These would disappear in our house!

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      Right? SO fluffy and delicious!

      Reply
  5. Sommer says

    December 10, 2018 at 8:37 am

    5 stars
    Heavenly carb pillows! These are utterly amazing!

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      Thanks so much, Sommer!

      Reply
  6. Liz says

    December 10, 2018 at 6:49 am

    5 stars
    My Mom used to make homemade dinner rolls for every holiday! I love the smell when they are baking!

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:46 pm

      Me too! Best ever!

      Reply
  7. Katerina says

    December 10, 2018 at 6:04 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, these look SO good!! I can't wait to try these!

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:46 pm

      Thanks, Katerina!

      Reply
  8. Becky Hardin says

    December 09, 2018 at 11:25 pm

    5 stars
    Oh ... bread is a weakness of mine! And these rolls are a must try.

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:46 pm

      Same here! I could eat a dozen!

      Reply
  9. Susan Hollingshead says

    November 20, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    What temp do you bake at?

    Reply
    • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

      November 20, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      Hi Susan! Oops! It should say 375 degrees F. I just fixed it! Thank you!

      Reply
Profile photo of the author of Crunchy Creamy Sweet website.

Hi! I'm Anna!

Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family-approved!

read more...

Easy Dinners

  • Square image of chicken in teriyaki sauce, rice and broccoli in a white bowl.
    Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
  • Asian chicken on rice.
    Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
  • Square image of creamy garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Garlic Chicken
  • Lemon garlic chicken in a skillet.
    Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
  • Chicken in mushroom garlic sauce in pan.
    Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken
  • Beef noodle casserole in a baking dish.
    Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole

Popular Recipes

  • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Shrimp
  • Square image of four Russet potatoes on a rack in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
    Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
  • Noodles with peanut sauce and green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks.
    Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
  • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
    Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
  • Pasta salad with tomatoes and bacon in a glass serving bowl.
    BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
  • Square image of KFC coleslaw in a white bowl with red plaid napkin.
    KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe

Featured in

Logos of publications like yahoo, Parade magazine, MSN.

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Crunchy Creamy Sweet All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.