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.

Homemade Dinner Rolls

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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. 

Homemade Dinner Rolls

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. 

Homemade Dinner Rolls

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.

Homemade Dinner Rolls

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.

Homemade Dinner Rolls

OTHER ROLL RECIPES:

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Homemade Dinner Rolls

4.46 from 22 votes
Homemade Dinner Rolls that are so soft in the middle and quick enough for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 -14 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

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

adapted from Taste of Home. Omitted the cheese, added more salt to the dough and omitted the garlic salt from the butter.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 3g, Sodium: 115mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g
Cuisine: American
Course: All Recipes

 
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Homemade Dinner Rolls

Homemade Dinner Rolls

4.46 from 22 votes
Homemade Dinner Rolls that are so soft in the middle and quick enough for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 -14 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

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

adapted from Taste of Home. Omitted the cheese, added more salt to the dough and omitted the garlic salt from the butter.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 3g, Sodium: 115mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g
Cuisine: American
Course: All Recipes
author avatar
Christy Denney
Christy is the voice behind The Girl Who Who Ate Everything! She is no stranger to making meals that kids and adults will love. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona as the youngest of ten kids. She can always be found in her kitchen with music playing and cooking with her kids. She published her first cookbook in 2014. She loves party food that gets the conversations going!