Soft & Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls

Ingredients

4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
2¼ tsp (7 g) active dry or instant yeast
¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
¼ cup (60 ml) warm water
1 large egg
4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp melted butter, for brushing

Method

Activate yeast: Mix warm milk, warm water, sugar and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until slightly foamy. If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the flour.
Add the egg and softened butter and mix.
Gradually add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth, soft and slightly elastic. Avoid adding too much flour.
Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 60–90 minutes, or until doubled.
Punch down gently and divide into 16 equal pieces.
Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pulling the dough underneath and pinching the bottom.
Arrange the dough balls in a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan, leaving small gaps between them.
Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
Immediately brush with melted butter.
Cool for 5–10 minutes and serve warm.

Nut & Allergen Info

Nuts: None required
Peanuts: None
Eggs: Yes
Dairy: Yes — milk and butter
Gluten: Yes — wheat flour
Soy: Usually none, but check flour/butter labels
Sesame: None required

Nutrition — Approx. Per Roll

Calories: ~180 kcal
Protein: ~4 g
Carbohydrates: ~27 g
Fat: ~6 g
Fiber: ~1 g
Sugar: ~3 g
Sodium: ~180 mg

Q&A

Q: Why aren’t my rolls fluffy?
A: Make sure the yeast is active and give the dough enough time to rise. Avoid adding excessive flour.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?
A: Yes. After shaping, cover and refrigerate overnight. Let the rolls come toward room temperature and become puffy before baking.

Q: Can I use instant yeast?
A: Yes. Use the same amount, 2¼ teaspoons.

Q: Can I use bread flour?
A: Yes. Bread flour gives slightly chewier rolls; all-purpose flour produces softer, tender rolls.

Q: How do I get shiny golden tops?
A: Brush with melted butter immediately after baking. For a darker shine, brush with an egg wash before baking.

Q: How should I store them?
A: Keep airtight at room temperature for 2–3 days, or freeze for up to 2–3 months.

Author
Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.