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These soft, fluffy easy dinner rolls are a family favorite, especially fresh from the oven with butter on top. They’re simple to make, packed with homemade flavor, and always the first thing to disappear at the table.
“There is nothing better than the smell of fresh, homemade rolls coming out the oven!”
-Becky
This homemade dinner roll recipe makes rolls that are light, soft, and perfect for everything from holiday meals (they are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas) to weeknight dinners. With just a few pantry staples, you can make a batch in under two hours, and you don’t even need a bread machine!
If you love easy side dishes, be sure to try the Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans, Cranberry Orange Sauce and Grape Jelly Meatballs. They’re simple, flavorful, and perfect for any meal.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- active dry yeast- or one packet.
- warm milk- heated to about 110 degrees F.
- granulated sugar- helps activate the yeast.
- egg- helps the rolls have a softer texture.
- unsalted butter- adds richness to the dough.
- all purpose flour- 2 1/2 cups for the recipe and 1/4 cup to use to knead the dough.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations
- Honey Butter Rolls: Add 1 tablespoon of honey into the dough with the milk and sugar, and brush the tops with a mix of butter and honey after baking.
- Garlic Herb Rolls: Mix in ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dried herbs into the dough before shaping.
- Sweet Hawaiian-Style: Add 1 tablespoon honey + 2 tablespoons pineapple juice for subtle sweetness.
- Cheesy Rolls: Sprinkle shredded cheddar on the dough balls before baking.
- Mini Sliders: Make 15–18 smaller rolls and bake in a larger dish for sliders.
How to Make Homemade Dinner Rolls
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
- Once the yeast mixture has bloomed, gently whisk in the egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually stir in the flour, until a soft dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, then cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Once dough has risen to double it’s size, punch it down, and divide it into 12 equal pieces. (I weighed each piece and they were about two ounces each.)
- Shape each into a ball and place in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Once rolls have doubled again, bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter right after they come out of the oven and serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Warming up the milk: I put the milk in a microwave safe bowl, and heated it on high for one minute. I used a thermometer and that got the milk to the exact temperature I needed for the yeast mixture to bloom.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Cold milk or eggs can slow the yeast down. Warm milk speeds up the rise.
- Don’t overwork the dough: Knead until just smooth and elastic. Over-kneading can make rolls dense.
- Longer first rise = softer rolls: Letting the dough rise for 1 to 1½ hours can make them even fluffier.
Active dry yeast versus Rapid rise yeast
Active dry yeast has larger granules and needs to be dissolved in warm liquid before adding to the dough. It requires a bit more time to rise but develops a slightly deeper flavor. Rapid-rise yeast (also called instant yeast) is finer and doesn’t need to be bloomed. You can mix it right into the dry ingredients, and it works faster, often cutting the rise time in half.
If you’re short on time, rapid rise yeast is a great option. Just keep in mind that the flavor might be a little different without the longer, slower rise.
Easy Dinner Rolls FAQs
The egg adds richness and helps create a softer, fluffier roll. I originally made this recipe without an egg and they turned out great. But adding one makes them even more tender. You can skip it if needed, but I recommend trying it.
Yes! You can shape the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight before the second rise. Let them come to room temperature for about an hour before baking.
Yes, if using instant yeast, you can skip the blooming step and mix it directly with the flour. Keep everything else the same.
Nope! Whole milk gives the rolls a richer flavor and softer texture, but you can absolutely use 2% milk, almond milk, or even oat milk in a pinch. Just make sure whatever milk you use is warmed to about 110 degrees F so the yeast activates properly. Rolls made with lower fat or non-dairy milk might be slightly less rich in texture, but they’ll still turn out soft and delicious.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
Side Dish
Homemade Stuffing Recipe
Side Dish
Ambrosia Salad
Side Dish
Roasted Green Beans
Appetizers
Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
If you have tried this recipe or any others from Celebrating Simply, I’d love it if you would leave a ⭐ star rating and share your thoughts in the ✍️ comments below. Your feedback means a lot!
Dinner Rolls
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Microwave safe bowl
- 9×13 Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, one packet
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour, plus 1/4-1/2 cup additional flour for rolling dough.
Optional: Brush tops of rolls with 1 tablespoon melted butter after baking.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
- Once the yeast mixture has bloomed, gently whisk in the egg, melted butter, and salt. Gradually stir in the flour, until a soft dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for a few minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, then cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. (I weighed each piece and they were two ounces each.) Shape each into a ball and place in a greased 9×13 baking dish.
- Cover and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter right after they come out of the oven and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These rolls are so soft and light. They are perfect for any dinner!