Experience the joy of baking with this easy dinner rolls recipe. Perfect for beginners and bread lovers alike, these dinner rolls are soft, fluffy and golden. They're also versatile, making an ideal accompaniment to any meal, from soups to hearty roasts. Homemade and fresh from the oven, they're just hard to resist.
The recipe calls for rapid rise yeast, which is a type of baker's yeast that proofs faster than regular yeast. It is also known as instant yeast, and can be found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. If you don't have it on hand, regular yeast can be used, but you'll have to adjust the proofing time accordingly. Also, kosher salt is used in this recipe, which is a coarse edible salt without common additives. It can be replaced with sea salt or regular salt.
Ingredients for Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls
Flour: The base for our rolls, providing structure and substance.
Rapid rise yeast: Responsible for making your rolls rise and become fluffy.
Sugar: A small amount to feed the yeast and add a hint of sweetness.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Whole milk: Adds richness to the dough.
Water: Needed to activate the yeast.
Unsalted butter: Gives the rolls a buttery flavor and a beautiful golden color.
One reader, Halli Kaur says:
These dinner rolls are a game-changer! The recipe is so easy to follow, and the rolls come out fluffy and delicious every time. They're perfect for family dinners or special occasions. I love how they make the whole house smell amazing while baking. Highly recommend trying this recipe!
Techniques Required for Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls
How to proof yeast: In a saucepan, heat the whole milk, water, and butter until very warm, reaching between 120 and 130 degrees F on a thermometer. Add the milk mixture to the stand mixer and let it sit for 5 minutes to proof the yeast to ensure super fluffy rolls.
How to knead dough: After adding 1½ cups of flour, salt, and sugar to the stand mixer with the regular whisk attachment for 2 minutes on medium speed, change to the dough hook. Add ½ cup of flour and keep it on medium speed for another 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
How to shape and proof rolls: Roll the dough into 12 balls and place them into an 8x8-inch baking pan, covering with a dry, clean kitchen towel in a warm place for 30 minutes until the rolls double in size.
How to bake rolls: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake for 20 minutes.
How To Make Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls
Soft, buttery, and flakey. This homemade dinner rolls recipe pairs well with any savory dish. You also wouldn’t need to knead the dough with your hands.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2cupsflour,or more if needed
- 2¼tsprapid rise yeast,1 packet
- 1½tbspsugar
- 1tspkosher salt
- ½cupwhole milk
- ¼cupwater
- 2tbspunsalted butter,melted
Instructions
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Add the yeast to the stand mixer.
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In a saucepan, heat the whole milk, water, and butter until very warm it reaches between 120 and 130 degrees F on a thermometer and add the milk mixture to the stand mixer and let it sit for 5 minutes to proof the yeast to ensure super fluffy rolls.
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Add 1½ cups of flour, salt and sugar to the stand mixer with the regular whisk attachment for 2 minutes on medium speed.
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Change to the dough hook. Add ½ cup of flour and keep it on medium speed for another 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Roll the dough into 12 balls and place into 8×8-inch baking pan, covering with a dry, clean kitchen towel in a warm place for 30 minutes until the rolls are double in size.
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the rolls with melted butter and bake for 20 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Be mindful to not heat the milk to exceed 120 and 130 degrees F or else it’ll kill the yeast.
Nutrition
- Calories: 107.49kcal
- Fat: 2.51g
- Saturated Fat: 1.45g
- Trans Fat: 0.08g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.63g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.18g
- Carbohydrates: 18.26g
- Fiber: 0.76g
- Sugar: 2.13g
- Protein: 2.80g
- Cholesterol: 6.11mg
- Sodium: 94.45mg
- Calcium: 15.63mg
- Potassium: 43.49mg
- Iron: 0.27mg
- Vitamin A: 20.86µg
- Vitamin C: 0.00mg
Crucial Technique for Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls
When working with yeast, it's crucial to ensure that your liquid ingredients are the correct temperature. Too hot, and you could kill the yeast, too cold, and it may not activate properly. Using a thermometer to check the temperature is a good practice. Also, allowing the dough to rest and rise in a warm area is key to achieving fluffy, light dinner rolls. If your kitchen is cool, you can slightly warm your oven, turn it off, and then let your dough rise inside.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Dinner Rolls
Prep ahead: Prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator. This will save time on the day of baking.
Use a stand mixer: Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment will save time and effort in kneading the dough to perfection.
Bake in batches: If you need to bake multiple batches, prepare all the dough at once and bake in batches to save time.
Set up your workspace: Organize all your ingredients and tools before starting to streamline the cooking process.
Invest in rapid rise yeast: Rapid rise yeast cuts down on rising time, allowing you to make the dinner rolls more quickly.
Pre-portion the dough: Portion the dough into balls ahead of time to save time during the shaping process.
Substitute Ingredients For Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe
flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute for regular flour in this recipe. It has a similar texture and will yield similar results in the dinner rolls.
rapid rise yeast - Substitute with active dry yeast: Active dry yeast can be used as a substitute for rapid rise yeast. You may need to activate the active dry yeast in warm water before using it in the recipe.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar. It will add a subtle sweetness and a hint of flavor to the dinner rolls.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt. It will provide a similar level of saltiness to the recipe.
whole milk - Substitute with 2% milk: 2% milk can be used as a substitute for whole milk in this recipe. It will still provide richness and creaminess to the dinner rolls.
unsalted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a substitute for unsalted butter in this recipe. It will provide a similar fat content and flavor to the dinner rolls.
Perfect Presentation Ideas for Easy Dinner Rolls
Elevate the dinner rolls with a herb-infused butter: Create a luxurious herb-infused butter using a blend of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Infuse the butter with the herbs and brush it over the warm dinner rolls just before serving to add a burst of flavor and a touch of elegance.
Present the dinner rolls in a rustic bread basket: Line a beautiful rustic bread basket with a clean linen napkin and arrange the freshly baked dinner rolls inside. This presentation adds a charming and inviting touch to the table, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Garnish with flaky sea salt: Sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt over the golden-brown dinner rolls just before serving. The delicate crunch and burst of flavor from the sea salt will add a delightful contrast to the soft, pillowy texture of the rolls.
Accompany with a selection of artisanal butters: Offer a selection of artisanal butters such as truffle butter, honey butter, and sea salt butter alongside the dinner rolls. This adds a sophisticated touch and allows guests to customize their dining experience.
Serve on a charcuterie board: Arrange the dinner rolls on a beautifully curated charcuterie board alongside an assortment of fine cheeses, cured meats, and fresh fruits. This visually stunning presentation creates a sense of abundance and indulgence, perfect for a special dining occasion.
Essential Tools for Making Dinner Rolls
Mixing bowls: You will need mixing bowls for combining and mixing ingredients. It's best to have a variety of sizes to accommodate different amounts of ingredients.
Stand mixer: A stand mixer is useful for kneading the dough and mixing the ingredients thoroughly. It can save time and effort compared to mixing by hand.
Saucepan: A saucepan is necessary for heating the milk, water, and butter to the right temperature for proofing the yeast.
Baking pan: An 8x8-inch baking pan is required for shaping and baking the dinner rolls.
Pastry brush: A pastry brush is essential for brushing the melted butter on top of the rolls before baking.
Oven: An oven is needed for baking the dinner rolls at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Dinner Rolls
Once the dinner rolls have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep the rolls soft and fresh, you can place a piece of bread in the container, which will help absorb any excess moisture.
If you want to store the rolls for a longer period, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw the frozen dinner rolls, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for about 2-3 hours. You can also microwave individual rolls for 15-20 seconds to warm them up quickly.
For a crispy crust, you can reheat the thawed rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and the crust is crispy.
If you have any leftover dinner rolls that have become slightly stale, you can repurpose them into delicious bread pudding, croutons, or breadcrumbs for coating meats or topping casseroles.
How To Reheat Leftover Dinner Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover dinner rolls on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. This method helps to retain moisture and prevent the rolls from drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and have a soft, fluffy texture.
For a quicker option, you can use the microwave. Place the rolls on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. This will help to keep them moist during the reheating process. Microwave on high for 15-20 seconds per roll, or until they are warm and soft to the touch. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the rolls to become tough and chewy.
If you prefer a crispy exterior, you can reheat the rolls in a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the rolls on the wire rack. Toast for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and have a slightly crispy crust. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.
For a unique twist, you can also reheat the rolls on a grill or griddle. Preheat the grill or griddle to medium heat and brush the rolls with a little melted butter. Place them on the grill or griddle and heat for 1-2 minutes per side, or until they are warm and slightly crispy. This method adds a nice smoky flavor to the rolls and is perfect for outdoor gatherings or barbecues.
If you have a large batch of leftover rolls, you can reheat them in a slow cooker. Place the rolls in the slow cooker and cover them with a lid. Set the slow cooker to low heat and let the rolls warm for 30-45 minutes, or until they are heated through. This method is ideal for keeping the rolls warm and soft for an extended period, making it perfect for potlucks or buffet-style meals.
Interesting Fact About Dinner Rolls
The perfectly easy dinner rolls recipe is a great addition to any meal. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and incredibly delicious. They can be made in just a few simple steps and require minimal ingredients. The key to their perfect texture is proofing the yeast and allowing the dough to rise properly. With the right technique, you can achieve bakery-quality dinner rolls right in your own kitchen. Whether you're serving them with a hearty stew or as a side for a holiday feast, these dinner rolls are sure to be a hit. Enjoy the process of making and savoring these delightful dinner rolls!
Is Making Dinner Rolls at Home Cost-Effective?
This dinner rolls recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The ingredients are simple and affordable, making it a budget-friendly option. With basic pantry staples like flour, yeast, and butter, the cost per batch is minimal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $3-$5, depending on the prices of ingredients. The overall verdict for this recipe is a solid 9. The simplicity, ease of preparation, and delicious results make it a fantastic choice for any meal.
Are Dinner Rolls Healthy or Unhealthy?
This dinner rolls recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients are refined flour, sugar, and butter, which are high in calories and low in nutrients. The recipe lacks whole grains, fiber, and any additional nutritious ingredients like vegetables or herbs.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content and add more nutrients
- Reduce the amount of sugar or replace it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
- Experiment with adding herbs like rosemary or garlic to enhance the flavor without relying on excess butter or salt
- Serve the rolls alongside a balanced meal that includes plenty of vegetables and lean protein to create a well-rounded dining experience
By making these adjustments, you can enjoy the comfort and taste of homemade dinner rolls while still prioritizing your health. Remember, moderation is key, and even with healthier ingredients, it's important to be mindful of portion sizes.
Editor's Opinion on This Easy Dinner Roll Recipe
The recipe provided is a simple and straightforward way to make delicious dinner rolls. The use of rapid rise yeast and the proofing process ensures a light and fluffy texture. However, I would suggest adding a step to knead the dough by hand for a few minutes to develop the gluten further, resulting in a better texture. Additionally, a touch of honey or maple syrup could enhance the flavor profile. Overall, this recipe is a great starting point for homemade dinner rolls and can be easily customized to suit individual preferences.
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Why trust this Perfectly Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe:
This perfectly easy dinner rolls recipe guarantees foolproof results with its straightforward instructions and simple ingredients. The rapid rise yeast ensures quick and reliable proofing, while the precise measurements and detailed steps ensure consistent, fluffy dinner rolls every time. The use of whole milk and unsalted butter adds richness and flavor, elevating the overall taste and texture. Trust in this recipe's reliability and ease, making it a go-to choice for anyone seeking delicious, homemade dinner rolls without the hassle.
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