Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe (Soft & Buttery!)

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked dinner rolls filling your kitchen. These fluffy homemade dinner rolls are incredibly soft, buttery, and absolutely irresistible. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast, Sunday dinner, or just want to elevate a weeknight meal, this recipe delivers bakery-quality rolls that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The best part? These dinner rolls are surprisingly easy to make, even if you’re new to bread baking. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll be pulling golden, pillowy rolls from your oven in no time.

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Why You’ll Love This Dinner Rolls Recipe

Incredibly Soft Texture – These rolls stay soft for days thanks to the perfect combination of milk, butter, and eggs in the dough.

Buttery Flavor – Brushed with melted butter before and after baking, these rolls have that rich, indulgent taste everyone craves.

Versatile for Any Occasion – Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any dinner where you want to impress your guests.

Make-Ahead Friendly – Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate overnight, making them ideal for busy holidays.

Beginner-Friendly – No complicated techniques required! If you can mix and knead, you can make these rolls.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Dinner Rolls:

• 1 cup warm milk (110°F) – Creates a tender crumb
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast – Gives the rolls their fluffy rise
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar – Adds slight sweetness and feeds the yeast
• ⅓ cup melted butter – Provides richness and flavor
• 1 teaspoon salt – Enhances all the flavors
• 2 large eggs – Adds structure and richness
• 4 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation of your rolls

For Brushing:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter – For that gorgeous golden finish

Kitchen Tools Required

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk or wooden spoon
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Clean kitchen towel
• Pastry brush
• Stand mixer with dough hook (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by warming your milk to about 110°F—it should feel warm to the touch but not hot. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the active dry yeast over it. Add a pinch of the sugar and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This tells you the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Once your yeast is activated and foamy, add the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs to the bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly frothy.

Step 3: Add the Flour

Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition. After adding about 3 cups of flour, the dough will start coming together. Add the remaining flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes by hand, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 4-5 minutes on medium speed. The dough is ready when it’s smooth, elastic, and springs back when you poke it with your finger.

Step 5: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. A warm oven (turned off) or sunny windowsill works perfectly.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Once the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 15-20 equal pieces, depending on how large you want your rolls. Roll each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and rolling between your palms.

Step 7: Arrange and Second Rise

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and arrange the rolls close together, leaving a small gap between each one. They’ll expand and touch during the second rise, creating those signature soft sides. Cover again and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush the tops of the risen rolls with melted butter. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the tops are golden brown. The rolls should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 9: Final Butter Brush

As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with more melted butter. This creates an irresistibly soft, glossy crust and adds extra flavor. Let them cool slightly before serving, though they’re absolutely divine when still warm.

Expert Tips for Perfect Dinner Rolls

Temperature Matters – Make sure your milk is at the right temperature. Too hot will kill the yeast; too cold won’t activate it properly.

Don’t Over-Flour – Add flour gradually. Too much flour makes dense, dry rolls. The dough should be slightly sticky.

Create a Warm Environment – If your kitchen is cold, create a proofing box by turning your oven on to the lowest setting for 1 minute, then turning it off before placing your dough inside.

Test for Doneness – If you’re unsure if they’re done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of a roll. It should read 190°F.

Keep Them Soft – Store leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag to maintain their softness.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Storing Baked Rolls:

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Make-Ahead Options:

Refrigerator Method: After shaping the rolls, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bring them to room temperature (about 30-45 minutes), then proceed with the second rise and baking.

Freeze Unbaked Rolls: Shape the rolls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to use, place frozen rolls in a greased pan, thaw and rise for 3-4 hours, then bake as directed.

Common Questions

Can I use instant yeast instead?
Yes! Use the same amount of instant yeast, but you can skip the activation step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

Why didn’t my dough rise?
This usually happens if the yeast is expired or the liquid was too hot or too cold. Always check your yeast’s expiration date and use a thermometer for accuracy.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Substitute the milk with your favorite non-dairy milk and use vegan butter. The rolls will still be delicious!

How do I reheat dinner rolls?
Wrap them in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes, or microwave individual rolls for 15-20 seconds.

Variations to Try

Garlic Butter Rolls: Mix minced garlic with the melted butter before brushing.

Herb Rolls: Add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, or Italian seasoning) to the dough.

Honey Butter Rolls: Replace half the sugar with honey and brush with honey butter after baking.

Whole Wheat Rolls: Substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier roll.

Serving Suggestions

These versatile dinner rolls pair beautifully with virtually any meal. Serve them alongside:

• Roasted turkey or chicken
• Pot roast or beef stew
• Holiday ham
• Creamy soups and chowders
• Pasta dishes
• Barbecue and grilled meats

They’re also perfect for making sliders or mini sandwiches!

Final Thoughts

Homemade dinner rolls are one of those special touches that transform an ordinary meal into something memorable. While they do require a bit of time for rising, the actual hands-on work is minimal, and the results are absolutely worth it. The smell alone will have your family gathering in the kitchen!

Once you master this basic recipe, you’ll find yourself making these rolls for every special occasion—and probably plenty of regular weeknights too. There’s truly no comparison between homemade rolls and store-bought versions.

So preheat that oven, dust off your mixing bowl, and get ready to bake the softest, most delicious dinner rolls you’ve ever tasted. Your dinner table will never be the same!