Homemade Dinner Rolls
Homemade Dinner Rolls that are so soft in the middle and quick enough for a weeknight meal. Soft rolls don’t have to be hard. These rolls come together in minutes and use instant yeast for a foolproof recipe.
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HOMEMADE DINNER ROLLS
The comparison game can be hard. Everyone is trying to be the best version of themselves and living the best lives they can. And then showing it all on Instagram.
I don’t know if it’s because of my upbringing or being the youngest of ten kids but the competition of life hasn’t really ever bothered me. It might be that with ten kids there was always a sibling that was prettier, smarter, more athletic, more creative, a better dancer, or funnier than me. It was just a fact. You win. Next.
So now if someone has a bigger house, nicer car, better behaved kids, or fancier clothes…it doesn’t bother me or feel like a competition. Good for you! I guess it’s not a competition if I’m not competing.
When it comes to food however it’s a different story. I went to a friend’s house who made some amazing apple pie bars. I asked for the recipe and then realized it was a recipe of someone I knew. Wait? What? I felt a pang of what I was guessing was jealousy. Why couldn’t I create something this delicious?
I know it’s weird. I got over it. But in the food blogging world it’s all about who has the best cookies, the best pie, the best roll recipe, or the amazing cheesecake recipe.
These dinner rolls are in my opinion pretty dang close to perfect. You know I love my Lion House Rolls but they are a lot of rolling and rising, a recipe I make for special occasions but not for a weeknight meal.
WHAT MAKES A PERFECT DINNER ROLL?
A perfect dinner roll is light, soft, and buttery. They aren’t hard to make and the recipe makes enough for family dinner, not an army.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT DINNER ROLLS?
- It’s important to shape your dough into equal sized balls. Although it’s not necessary, a kitchen scale help tremendously in making sure that your dough balls are all the same size and will bake evenly.
- Make sure you have a warm environment for the rolls to rise in. Since my house is always cold, I turn my oven onto 350 degrees and let my dough rise on top of the oven.
- Don’t add too much flour! Too much flour will make your rolls dry or cause them to not rise. Add just enough flour so that it’s not super sticky.
- Make sure you knead the dough long enough to let the gluten form which makes for a soft dough.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTIVE DRY YEAST AND INSTANT YEAST?
- ACTIVE DRY YEAST is what most recipes use. Active dry yeast must be proofed (dissolved in warm water and activated) before adding to a recipe. It takes longer to rise than instant yeast so add at least 15 minutes to your rise time.
- INSTANT YEAST or RAPID RISE YEAST does not require proofing before adding to a recipe.
- Both yeasts can be used interchangeably in recipes but if using active dry yeast it must be proofed before using.
OTHER ROLL RECIPES:
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 package, 1/4 ounce quick-rise yeast (instant yeast not active dry)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 tablespoon more for buttering after baking
- 2 teaspoons honey
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add warm water and 2 tablespoons butter; beat on medium speed for 3 minutes or until smooth. Stir in just enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (about 1/2 to 1 cup more). The dough will start to come away from the sides of the bowl when you have enough flour. Do not add too much flour or they will be dry.
- Using a stand mixer, knead for about 4-6 minutes or until smooth. You can also knead on a floured surface by hand if you don't have a stand mixer. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 12-14 pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball pulling the tops of the ball down to the bottom and pinching. Place in a greased 9-inch round or square baking pan, or even a pie plate. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°. Bake rolls 11-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a small ramekin and stir in the honey. Brush over rolls.
Notes
I’m looking forward to making these for thanksgiving! Has anyone ever tried to add sweet potatoes to this recipe? I think I might venture out and add sweet potatoes to my second batch.
No I haven’t!
Super easy. Made a dozen and the family of 3 are them all. 😂
Haha awesome!
Can a bread maker be used for this recipe?
Yes!
Wow, these are wonderful. So quick, easy, and delicious. My only concern is that I will be making these too often :).
Glad you liked them!
These Homemade Dinner Rolls are so amazingly delicious that my family requests them to be made daily!
That makes me happy!
WOW these rolls look so delicious and fluffy! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Hope you do!
These were delicious! They came together so quickly and baked up beautifully. I was thrilled to get a Sunday afternoon nap and still be able to have rolls with dinner. Score!
So glad you liked them!
I blend the ingredients together the prior night, and it’s prepared to bake the next day. On the rare events that I don’t devour the warm portion in one sitting, I appreciate the leftover for days– it makes yummy grilled cheddar sandwiches or toast for breakfast.
I could do a face-dive into that platter of dinner rolls. They are soooo my weakness. Whenever a diner offers a basket of dinner rolls, I automatically grab at them. It’s dangerous to know I could make something like this quicky at home…but also inspirational. 😀
I love your recopes. You sre very creative! When baking breat, I place a meaauring cup of hot water in my microwave, cook 30 seconds or more until water is boiling, creating a warm, steamy environment for my dough. Place in dough in the microwave, bit do NOT TURN IT ON, and let it ptoof until doubled.
Let me know if this works for you.
Great tip Carolyn!
can you make this recipe gluten free. if yes what kind of flour.
thank you . pat
Sorry Pat. I haven’t ever made these gluten free so I’m not sure I can help.
thank you for getting back to me. pat.