Yeast Rolls

These homemade Yeast Rolls are exceptionally soft and buttery with the perfect bite. They are way better than storebought rolls and much easier to make from scratch than you'd expect! Even yeast bread beginners can nail this easy recipe the first time.

These days, we don't always have many occasions to make homemade dinner rolls. They aren't a standard side for meals anymore, and it's easy to buy a plastic-wrapped package at the store. But, I highly encourage you to go through a little bit of effort to make your own. It's always fun to play with dough, and these buttery, tender homemade rolls make the whole kitchen smell like a bakery. They're the perfect texture for sopping up gravy or eating on their own with a slather of butter and honey. A must-have for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, or any special occasion!

Why You'll Love These Yeast Rolls

• Easy to make. Yeast intimidates many people, but don't let it deter you! There are just a few simple steps here: form the dough, let it rise, punch it down and shape the rolls, let them rise, and bake. Follow that basic flow, and you'll have great results every time!
• Tender, soft dough. The butter and egg in this easy dinner roll recipe ensure that the dough is soft and chewy. They truly have the perfect texture!
• Completely unprocessed. Homemade rolls require a short list of simple ingredients, but unfortunately, the same can't be said for grocery store rolls. They require preservatives to keep them from going bad. If you want to avoid those unnecessary additives, make your own! It’s a lot easier than you think!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Yeast Rolls, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• water - use lukewarm water to activate the yeast.
• unsalted butter - room temperature is best. 
• active dry yeast - this quick-rising yeast must be mixed in water before adding it to your dough. Feel free to use instant yeast or rapid rise yeast instead.
• sugar - for just a touch of sweetness.
• egg - this will soften the dough to keep it tender. 
• all-purpose flour - make sure to use regular flour. Bread flour is a good alternative if you have it. 
• salt - added for flavor.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons (or a kitchen scale), mixing bowl or stand mixer with dough hook attachment, clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, bench scraper, a 9x13 baking dish, and a pastry brush (optional).

How to Make the Best Yeast Rolls

First, prepare the dough.

1. Activate yeast. In a mixing bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), stir together warm water, butter, yeast, sugar, and eggs. Mix well until smooth and let rest for 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Form dough. Add flour and salt. Mix well until it forms a shaggy dough, scraping down the sides of the bowl (there should be no dry flour particles visible).

3. Knead. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until a smooth and soft dough ball is formed. You can also use the dough hook of your stand mixer to knead for 5 minutes until a smooth dough ball is formed.

4. First rise. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You can lightly oil the dough ball to prevent sticking.

Now, shape the yeast rolls.

1. Divide. Roll the dough into a log and use a bench scraper to divide it into 15 equal pieces. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic cling wrap to prevent it from drying.

2. Shape. Take one piece at a time and shape each piece into a smooth ball. Use the palms of your hands to flatten each dough, then fold and press all edges into the centre. Turn it over and cup the dough in the palm of your hand, making circular motions until you create a ball. It should take less than 30 seconds to roll each piece into a smooth ball.

3. Second rise. Arrange the dough balls into a 9x13-inch casserole pan, spacing them evenly into 5 rows and 3 columns. Cover the pan loosely with plastic cling wrap and let the rolls rise until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

Finally, bake the dinner rolls.

1. Bake. Bake the rolls in a 400F preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

2. Rest. Brush the top with some melted butter (if desired) and let the rolls cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

These Yeast Rolls are delicious served as a snack on their own with a pat of butter, or served as dinner rolls paired with some of my favorite sides including:

• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
• Balsamic Roasted Carrots
• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Creamy Wild Rice Soup
• Cannellini Beans
• Whipped Goat Cheese

For more recipes, see our 40 Best Vegetable Sides.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Once cooled, store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

Warm rolls are the best! To make these easy yeast rolls taste straight from the oven, you can either pop them in a 350F oven for a few minutes or microwave them for 15-30 seconds. 

How to Freeze

Place the room-temperature rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for 3-6 months. Thaw them in the fridge and reheat them like normal!

FAQ

More Dinner Roll Recipes

• 30 Bread Recipes with Yeast
• Skillet Dinner Rolls
• Potato Dinner Rolls
• Bread Rolls with Green Onions
• Cheesy Garlic Dinner Rolls
• Parker House Rolls

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