Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls (Soft, Fluffy & Buttery)

Soft, fluffy and brushed with melted butter, these Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls are the first thing to vanish from the holiday table. Made with simple pantry ingredients and one quick rise thanks to instant yeast, they go from bowl to basket in about an hour and a half.

No bread machine and no fancy skills needed, just a bowl and your hands. They’re perfect for soaking up gravy at Thanksgiving, or for dunking into a bowl of my crockpot broccoli cheddar soup. Serve them next to this homemade green bean casserole for a classic holiday plate.

Why You’ll Love These Dinner Rolls

• Quick for yeast bread. Instant yeast means a short rise and rolls ready in about 90 minutes.
• Pillowy soft. Warm milk, butter and an egg make a tender, rich crumb.
• Beginner friendly. Mix by hand or with a stand mixer; no special tools.
• Make ahead. Shape them the night before or freeze baked rolls for the holidays.
• Golden and buttery. A final brush of butter and a sprinkle of flaky salt makes them irresistible.

Ingredients Explained

• All-purpose flour: Gives a soft roll. Bread flour makes them a little chewier and taller.
• Instant yeast: Also called rapid-rise. It can be mixed straight into the flour. Active dry yeast works too; see the FAQ.
• Warm milk: About 110°F, like a warm bath. Too hot will kill the yeast.
• Butter: Melted into the dough for flavor and tenderness, plus more for brushing.
• Sugar and honey: A little sweetness feeds the yeast and helps the tops brown.
• Egg: Adds richness and structure for a fluffy, bakery-style roll.
• Salt: Essential for flavor. Flaky salt on top is optional but lovely.

How to Make Homemade Dinner Rolls

1. Mix the wet ingredients. Whisk warm milk, melted butter, sugar, honey and the egg in a large bowl.
2. Add the dry ingredients. Stir in 3 cups flour, the yeast and salt until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead. Add the remaining flour a little at a time and knead 6–8 minutes by hand (or 5 minutes in a mixer) until smooth, soft and slightly tacky.
4. First rise. Cover and let rise in a warm spot 30–45 minutes, until nearly doubled.
5. Shape. Divide into 15 equal pieces, roll each into a tight ball and arrange in a buttered 9×13 pan.
6. Second rise. Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes until puffy and touching. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375°F.
7. Bake. Bake 18–22 minutes until deep golden. Brush with melted butter right away and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Tips for Soft, Fluffy Rolls

• Don’t add too much flour. A slightly sticky dough bakes into the softest rolls.
• Check the milk temperature. Use a thermometer if you have one: 105–115°F is ideal.
• Find a warm spot. An oven with just the light on makes a perfect proofing box.
• Weigh for even rolls. A kitchen scale makes every roll the same size so they bake evenly.

What to Serve Them With

Serve warm with soft butter, honey butter or jam alongside roast turkey, ham, or a hearty soup like my best ever chicken noodle soup. Leftover rolls make great mini sandwiches with turkey and cranberry sauce.

Make Ahead, Storage and Freezing

Overnight: Shape the rolls, cover tightly and refrigerate up to 18 hours. Let them sit at room temperature about 1 hour to puff up, then bake. Storage: Keep baked rolls in a sealed bag at room temperature for 3 days. Freezing: Freeze cooled rolls up to 3 months; rewarm wrapped in foil at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use active dry yeast?

Yes. Stir it into the warm milk with the sugar and let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy, then continue. The first rise may take an extra 15–30 minutes.

Why are my rolls dense?

Usually too much flour, an under-risen dough, or yeast killed by milk that was too hot. Keep the dough soft and let it rise until truly puffy.

Can I make these without an egg?

Yes. Replace the egg with 3 tablespoons extra milk. The rolls will be slightly less rich but still soft.

How do I get shiny tops?

Brush the rolls with a beaten egg before baking for a glossy finish, then with butter after baking for flavor.

More Holiday Favorites You’ll Love

• Homemade Green Bean Casserole
• Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Healthier Pumpkin Bread
• Creamy Potato Soup
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Prep: 20 min | Rise: 50–75 min | Bake: 20 min | Servings: 15 rolls

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus 2 tbsp for brushing)
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1¼ tsp salt
• Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk warm milk, melted butter, sugar, honey and egg in a large bowl.
2. Stir in 3 cups flour, yeast and salt. Add remaining flour gradually and knead 6–8 minutes until soft and smooth.
3. Cover and rise 30–45 minutes until nearly doubled.
4. Divide into 15 balls and place in a buttered 9×13-inch pan. Cover and rise 20–30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.
5. Bake 18–22 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Nutrition (estimated, per roll): about 165 calories, 4 g protein, 25 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g fat.

Love these rolls? Save them to your Pinterest Thanksgiving board so they’re ready for the big day!