Name: Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup (59 grams) lukewarm water (100 to 110°F); 1 cup (237 grams) warm milk (100 to 110°F); 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt; 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast; 4 ½ cups (572 grams) bread flour; 1 egg, lightly beaten; Melted butter; Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

There's something simply irresistible about warm, pillowy bread fresh from the oven that melts in your mouth. That’s exactly why this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe is such a winner — it turns everyday meals into cozy, special occasions with its tender crumb and golden crust. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never want store-bought rolls again.

The image shows a white square baking dish filled with twelve soft, golden-brown dinner rolls arranged in a 3 by 4 grid, each with a shiny, smooth top sprinkled with coarse salt. The rolls have a slightly fluffy and shiny texture with a light golden color fading to a paler yellow near the base where they touch each other. One woman's hand is sprinkling salt on the top right roll, and another woman's hand holds a small bowl filled with more coarse salt in the bottom left corner. The baking dish is placed on a black wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I baked these dinner rolls for my family—how the house filled with that comforting, buttery aroma made everything feel like home. This Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe combines simplicity with deliciousness in a way that makes you want to bake it over and over.

Impressively Soft Texture: These rolls boast an ultra-soft, fluffy interior that’s tender with just the right chew, perfect for mopping up gravy or slathering with butter.
Simple Ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find ingredients here—just staples you likely have at home, making this recipe super approachable.
Reliable Rise Every Time: Using instant yeast and a warm milk mixture ensures a steady, predictable rise, even if you’re new to bread baking.
Customizable and Versatile: Whether you want classic buttery rolls or a hint of garlic or herbs, this recipe easily adapts to your personal touch.

A single soft bread roll sits on a small white plate, showing a torn side that reveals its fluffy, light beige interior texture. The top of the roll is golden brown with some coarse sea salt sprinkled on it, giving a slight shine. Behind the plate is a white baking dish filled with more bread rolls, each with a similar golden-brown top. To the right of the plate, a small white bowl holds two pale yellow butter slices. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with bright, natural lighting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe plays a unique role, working harmoniously to produce that characteristic tender crumb and golden finish. Choosing the right type of flour, fresh yeast, and warm milk can make all the difference, so here’s why each component is important.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of lukewarm water, a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a small white ceramic bowl of melted unsalted butter, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl of instant yeast, a small white ceramic bowl of bread flour, another whole brown egg with clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of flaky sea salt, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lukewarm Water: Activates the yeast gently without killing it—temperature is key.
Warm Milk: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough while enhancing yeast activity.
Unsalted Butter: Provides moistness and flavor without adding extra salt, letting you control seasoning.
Eggs: Enrich the dough, contributing to softness and that beautiful golden color when baked.
Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast for a good rise and adds subtle sweetness balancing the savory notes.
Fine Sea Salt: Enhances flavor without drying out the dough.
Instant Yeast: Convenient and fast-rising, giving reliable results even if you’re pressed for time.
Bread Flour: High protein content develops gluten, creating that elastic texture perfect for rolls.
Egg for Wash: Creates a shiny, golden crust that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.
Melted Butter & Flaky Sea Salt: As a finishing touch, melted butter seals in softness and flaky salt adds a crunchy pop of flavor on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to make your own with just a few tweaks. Over the years, I’ve played around with flavors and techniques, and honestly, it’s fun to experiment and find the perfect spin that suits your taste buds.

Variation: I enjoy adding a tablespoon of fresh, finely chopped rosemary or thyme to the dough for a fragrant herb butter roll that's just divine alongside roasted chicken.
Dairy-Free: Swap the milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk and substitute butter with coconut oil for a tasty dairy-free version that still yields softness.
Sweetened Rolls: For a slight sweet twist, increase the sugar to 3 tablespoons and brush with cinnamon honey butter post-baking—perfect for brunch.
Garlic Knots: Roll pieces into knots and brush heavily with garlic butter after baking for irresistible soft garlic rolls, a weekend favorite in my house.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Mix the liquid ingredients and yeast

Start by combining the lukewarm water, warm milk, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in your stand mixer bowl. Make sure the liquids are not too hot—around 100 to 110°F is perfect because it wakes up the yeast without killing it. I sometimes proof the yeast separately for 5 minutes if I’m in a rush, just to give it a head start.

Step 2: Stir in flour and begin kneading

Add 2 cups of bread flour and stir with a wooden spoon until you get a rough, shaggy dough. Then, attach your dough hook and, on medium-low speed, gradually add the remaining flour. Knead for about 4 to 5 minutes on medium-high until the dough is smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky. It’s a fine balance here—the dough shouldn’t be sticky like glue, but don’t add too much flour or you'll lose that softness.

Step 3: Let the dough rise

Lightly grease a large bowl with butter or cooking spray, place your dough inside, and cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Place it in a warm spot and let it rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it’s doubled and nice and puffy. If your kitchen’s chilly, I’ll sometimes pop it inside my turned-off oven with the oven light on — that cozy environment helps it along.

Step 4: Shape the rolls and second rise

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter. Deflate the dough gently and divide it into 12 equal pieces—using a bench scraper or knife works great. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them evenly in the pan, leaving a bit of space to grow. Cover again with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise for another hour until nearly doubled. This second rise is key for that soft texture.

Step 5: Bake and finish

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush the tops of the rolls gently with a beaten egg for that gorgeous golden shine. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are beautifully browned. Right after they come out, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with a little flaky sea salt — that finishing touch takes these rolls from great to unforgettable.

Top Tip

After making this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few things that really make a difference in how they turn out. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls and will help you get the best soft rolls every time.

Perfect Dough Texture: Resist the urge to add extra flour if dough feels sticky—it’s supposed to be slightly tacky for that soft crumb.
Warm Environment for Rising: Rising times can vary depending on temperature; placing dough in a warm spot speeds the process without harming texture.
Even Shaping: Make sure rolls are uniform in size to help them bake evenly and look beautiful in the pan.
Melted Butter Finish: Don’t skip brushing the rolls with melted butter directly after baking—this keeps them moist and irresistible!

How to Serve Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

For casual dinners, I love sprinkling flaky sea salt right on top of the buttery rolls just before serving—it adds a subtle crunch and bursts of flavor. Sometimes I mix softened butter with minced garlic and chopped herbs, then serve it alongside as a spread. A drizzle of honey butter for breakfast or brunch rolls is also a family favorite.

Side Dishes

These dinner rolls are the perfect partner to hearty soups like creamy tomato basil or classic chicken noodle. They also shine alongside roast dinners, stews, or even as sandwich sliders for BBQ pulled pork. I’ve also paired them with whipped honey butter and fresh fruit jams for a cozy breakfast treat.

Creative Ways to Present

One holiday, I arranged the rolls in a wreath shape on a baking sheet, brushing with garlic and herbs for a festive centerpiece. Another time, I baked them in mini muffin tins for delicious bite-sized rolls that disappeared fast at a party. You can brush them with colored herbs or cheese for themed occasions—it’s a great way to impress guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. They stay soft for up to 3 days, but I always make sure to separate them with parchment paper if stacking to avoid sogginess. Reheating just before serving brings back that fresh-baked charm.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. I wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place all rolls in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them on the counter for about an hour or pop them straight into a warm oven for 10 minutes, which revives their softness and warmth.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh feel, I wrap rolls in foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. For a quick fix, microwave individually wrapped rolls for 15-20 seconds, but I prefer the oven method—it keeps the crust lovely and soft without drying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast in this recipe?

Yes! If you’re using active dry yeast, you’ll want to proof it by dissolving in warm water and letting it bubble for about 5-10 minutes before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Instant yeast can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients, which saves a bit of time.

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

The dough has risen enough when it has doubled in size and looks puffy. You can do a simple poke test by gently pressing your finger into the dough; if the indentation springs back slowly, it’s ready for the next step. If it bounces back quickly, it needs more time.

Can I make these rolls in a bread machine?

Absolutely! Add ingredients in the order your machine suggests, use the dough setting, and then follow the shaping, second rise, and baking instructions as usual. Bread machines are great for kneading and the initial rise, saving you time and effort.

How do I keep my dinner rolls soft for longer?

Brushing the rolls with melted butter immediately after baking locks in moisture and keeps them soft. Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature and avoid excess flour which can dry out the dough. You can also freeze leftover rolls and reheat gently when needed to retain softness.

Final Thoughts

Every time I make this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe, I’m reminded how something so simple can bring so much joy to the table. Whether for weekday dinners, holiday feasts, or just because, these rolls have become a beloved staple in my kitchen. I’m confident they’ll become a staple in yours too—give them a try and enjoy the warmth, softness, and comforting goodness with those you love.