Fluffy homemade dinner rolls are soft, buttery rolls made from a simple dough of flour, milk, eggs, butter, and a little sugar. Two rises give them a light, tender crumb, and a brush of melted butter right out of the oven gives them a golden, shiny top. This recipe makes about 24 rolls, enough for a holiday table or a few weeks of freezer stash.
Most of the time is waiting for the dough to rise, and the hands-on work is only about 30 minutes. If you like sweeter rolls, try the honey butter dinner rolls or the soft yeast rolls with cinnamon honey butter, which use a similar method.
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Why These Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Work
Rich doughs with milk, eggs, and butter bake up softer than plain bread dough, and a few details keep them that way.
- Milk and eggs make the crumb tender and give the rolls a golden color.
- Butter in the dough keeps the rolls soft for longer, and more butter on top adds shine.
- Adding only as much flour as the dough needs keeps it soft and slightly tacky, which makes lighter rolls.
- Two rises give the yeast time to build flavor and create an airy texture.
Ingredients for Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant or active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 4 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
How to Make Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls
1. Wake up the yeast. Combine the warm milk, melted butter, and sugar in a large bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. The mixture should feel warm, not hot, because heat that is too high can kill yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
2. Mix the dough. Whisk in the eggs and salt. Add the flour gradually, stirring until a soft dough forms. Add the last of the flour only as needed.
3. Knead. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. It should be soft and slightly tacky, not stiff.
4. First rise. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
5. Shape. Punch down the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball and place the balls in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan or on a lined baking sheet, with a little space between them.
6. Second rise. Cover the rolls and let them rise for 30 to 60 minutes, until puffy and nearly doubled. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) near the end of the rise.
7. Bake. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
8. Brush and serve. Brush the hot rolls with the melted butter. Serve warm.
How to Serve Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Serve the rolls warm with butter, jam, or honey. They are made for mopping up soup and gravy, so they pair well with a bowl of crockpot chicken corn chowder. For a simpler bread option, the soft dinner rolls recipe is another approach to try.
How to Store and Reheat Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Homemade rolls do not have preservatives, so they are best the day they are baked. Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed bag for up to 3 months and warm them in a low oven.
Yeast does best in warm, not hot, liquid. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension’s guide to yeast breads recommends liquid at 110 to 115°F for dissolving yeast and a warm, draft-free spot for dough to rise until doubled.
Tips and Variations
- Do not add too much flour. Extra flour makes heavy, dry rolls. Stop when the dough is soft and just clears the bowl.
- Use room-temperature eggs. Cold eggs can chill the dough and slow the rise.
- Weigh the dough pieces. A kitchen scale makes evenly sized rolls that bake at the same rate.
- Add herbs. Brush the baked rolls with butter mixed with chopped parsley and a little garlic.
- Make them ahead. Shape the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight, then let them come to room temperature and finish rising before baking.
- Adjust for your pan. A shallow pan or baking sheet works best for rolls, and a dark pan may need slightly lower heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dinner rolls take to rise?
The first rise usually takes about 1 hour in a warm spot, until the dough has doubled. The second rise, after shaping, takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Why are my rolls dense?
Dense rolls usually come from too much flour, yeast that was not active, or too little rising time. Check that the yeast foams, add flour gradually, and let the dough rise until doubled.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry?
Yes. Both work in this recipe. Instant yeast may rise slightly faster, so watch the dough rather than the clock.
Can I make the dough in a stand mixer?
Yes. Mix with the dough hook on low to medium speed for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Can I freeze the dough?
You can freeze shaped, unbaked rolls on a tray, then bag them. Thaw and let them rise fully before baking, which can take longer than a fresh batch.
Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk warmed to about 110°F
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant or active dry yeast
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 to 4 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour plus more for the work surface
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted, for brushing
Instructions
Cooking
- Combine the warm milk, melted butter, and sugar in a large bowl. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
- Whisk in the eggs and salt. Add the flour gradually, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic and still slightly tacky.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled.
- Punch down the dough, divide into 24 pieces, shape into balls, and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch pan or on a lined baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise for 30 to 60 minutes, until puffy. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) near the end.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown.
- Brush the hot rolls with the melted butter and serve warm.
