Dinner rolls are the ultimate side dish—soft, fluffy, buttery, and perfect for pairing with just about any meal. Whether you’re baking for a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner, this easy dinner roll recipe delivers bakery-quality rolls right from your oven.
With a tender crumb, golden crust, and just a hint of sweetness, these rolls are ideal for slathering with butter, dipping into gravy, or using for mini sandwiches the next day.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Dinner Rolls
- 🕰️ Can be made ahead for easy entertaining
- 👨🍳 Beginner-friendly, no bread machine required
- 🧈 Rich, fluffy texture thanks to eggs and milk
- 🌟 Classic flavor with endless topping options
- 🥖 Great for freezing or prepping in batches
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
🔥 Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl or stand mixer, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Make the Dough
Add sugar, salt, eggs, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Stir or mix on low until combined. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
3. Knead
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes in a mixer until smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Rolls
Punch down the dough and divide into 12–16 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Second Rise
Cover and let rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
7. Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown on top.
8. Brush with Butter
Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter for a glossy, buttery finish.
👩🍳 Baking Tips
- Use room temperature eggs for best rise
- Don’t add too much flour—stick with a soft, slightly sticky dough
- For extra golden tops, brush with egg wash before baking
- Let them cool slightly before serving for best texture
🌈 Variations
- Garlic Herb: Add garlic powder and Italian herbs to the dough
- Everything Rolls: Top with everything bagel seasoning before baking
- Sweet Rolls: Add a touch of honey or cinnamon sugar for sweeter versions
- Cheddar Chive: Mix in shredded cheddar and chopped chives
❓ FAQs
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! You can refrigerate the shaped rolls overnight before the second rise. Let sit at room temp for 30–45 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze after baking, or freeze shaped rolls before baking and let rise before baking fresh.
Why didn’t my dough rise?
Make sure your yeast isn’t expired and the milk wasn’t too hot (should be ~110°F).
Dinner Rolls
Equipment
- – Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- – 2 (13×9″) baking pans
- – Kitchen towel
Ingredients
- – 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- – 1 cup warm milk 110°F
- – ¼ cup sugar
- – 1 tsp salt
- – 2 eggs room temp
- – ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- – 3½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- – 2 tbsp melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit 5–10 min until foamy.
- Add sugar, salt, eggs, butter. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour until dough pulls from bowl.
- Knead 8–10 min until smooth.
- Let rise in a greased bowl 1–1½ hrs, until doubled.
- Shape into rolls; place in greased 9×13 pan.
- Let rise 30–45 min.
- Bake at 375°F for 15–18 min.
- Brush with melted butter. Serve warm.
Notes
– Make ahead and freeze before baking
– Brush with egg wash for extra shine
🍽️ Storage
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temp or reheat in oven
- Reheat: Wrap in foil and warm at 300°F for 10 minutes