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Best Homemade Dinner Rolls

Best Homemade Dinner Rolls

These Best Homemade Dinner Rolls are soft, buttery, and irresistibly delicious, perfect for elevating any meal from casual dinners to festive feasts. Featuring simple pantry staples and a foolproof method, these rolls deliver a melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor that complements any main dish. Ideal for versatile uses, including sandwiches and side dishes, they bring bakery-quality warmth and comfort right from your oven.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 rolls 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (for best results, use fresh, high-quality flour)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted or softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup warm water (to adjust dough consistency)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: Warm the milk until comfortably warm but not hot. Stir in the sugar and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, and warm water. Stir everything together until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead to Perfection: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic, developing the gluten for good structure and chew.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Rolls: Punch down the dough gently to release excess air. Divide it into equal portions, shape each into a smooth ball, and place them close together in a greased baking pan to encourage soft sides.
  6. Second Rise: Cover the shaped rolls and let them rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled in size.
  7. Bake and Butter: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and brush immediately with melted butter to lock in moisture and add flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh yeast and check expiration for best rise results.
  • Do not over-flour; use just enough flour to keep dough manageable to avoid dense rolls.
  • Let dough rise in a consistent, warm, draft-free environment for even fermentation.
  • Brush rolls with melted butter right after baking for an ultra-soft crust.
  • Rest the dough a few minutes between kneading if it resists to relax gluten.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 roll (approx. 50g)
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg

Keywords: dinner rolls, homemade rolls, soft bread, buttery rolls, baking, bread rolls, easy bread recipe