Name: Fluffy Homemade 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 nothing quite like the soft, pillowy comfort of a perfect roll fresh out of the oven. This Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe promises just that—a golden crust giving way to a tender, light crumb that feels like a warm hug whenever you bite into it. Trust me, once you make these, store-bought rolls won’t stand a chance.

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 Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless bread recipes, but there’s something magical about these rolls. They’re just the right balance of rich and fluffy, with a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with everything from a hearty stew to a simple slather of butter.

Simple ingredients: You likely have everything already at home—no surprises or fancy extras needed.
Soft, fluffy texture: Achieved through a rich dough with milk, butter, and eggs, making these rolls irresistibly tender.
Easy to customize: These rolls are a great blank canvas for your favorite herbs, cheeses, or spices if you want to get creative.
Perfect for any meal: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or special holiday feast, these rolls always impress.

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

This recipe uses classic bread ingredients with a few enriching touches that give the rolls their signature fluff. I always recommend using fresh yeast and good-quality butter to really make these shine. Here’s a little breakdown of how each one contributes:

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.
Warm milk: Adds moisture and richness, crucial for tenderness.
Unsalted butter: Melted into the dough for flavor and softness, plus melted butter for greasing and finishing.
Large eggs: Provide structure and a slight richness that keeps rolls soft.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness that rounds out flavors.
Fine sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps balance the sweetness.
Instant yeast: Quick and convenient for a reliable rise.
Bread flour: Has the perfect protein level to develop that bounce and chew you want in dinner rolls.
Egg wash: Gives that beautiful golden shine and helps flaky sea salt stick.
Flaky sea salt: Adds a nice finishing touch for both texture and flavor contrast.

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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

These rolls are a fantastic base for all sorts of delicious twists. Over time, I’ve played around with adding fresh herbs or swapping in whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, and each variation turns out wonderfully if you keep the basics consistent.

Herb-Infused Rolls: I love mixing in finely chopped rosemary or thyme into the dough for an aromatic surprise. It feels a bit fancy but is so easy to do!
Cheesy Twist: Adding a handful of shredded sharp cheddar or parmesan just before shaping the dough gives you ooey-gooey bites that disappear fast at my house.
Whole Wheat Option: For a heartier roll, substitute half the bread flour with whole wheat. It’s a bit denser but still soft and perfect with a stew or soup.
Dairy-Free Variation: You can swap the butter and milk for plant-based alternatives, though your rolls will be slightly less rich but still delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Combine the Wet Ingredients and Activate the Yeast

Start by mixing lukewarm water, warm milk, melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in your stand mixer bowl. I learned the hard way that the liquids shouldn’t be too hot—stick within 100-110°F to keep the yeast happy and active. If you want to boost the yeast’s rise time, you can let this mixture sit for 5 minutes before adding flour. It’s like giving the yeast a little head start.

Step 2: Add Flour and Knead the Dough

Stir in two cups of bread flour by hand until the dough just comes together in a shaggy mess. Then switch to a dough hook on medium-low speed and gradually add the remaining flour. Knead for about 4-5 minutes on medium-high speed until the dough looks smooth, elastic, and just a little tacky. It should bounce back when you poke it—this tells you the gluten is developed just right.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a large, greased bowl, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise at room temperature for about 1 to 1½ hours. You'll know it’s ready when the dough has roughly doubled in size and is nicely puffed. Patience here is key—don’t rush or your rolls won’t get that fluffy lift.

Step 4: Shape Rolls and Final Proof

Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Gently deflate the risen dough and slice it into 12 equal pieces—using a bench scraper or sharp knife works best here. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath. Place them snugly into your pan and cover again for the second rise, around 1 hour, until they puff up beautifully.

Step 5: Egg Wash and Bake

Before hitting the oven, brush each roll lightly with a beaten egg—this creates a gorgeous golden-brown finish. Bake the rolls at 375°F for about 20 minutes, watching for that irresistible golden color. When they’re out, brush with melted butter and sprinkle flaky sea salt over the tops. Serve warm and prepare to be amazed at how fluffy and tender they are!

Top Tip

From my many attempts making these rolls, a few tips made all the difference ensuring success every single time. The extras aren’t complicated but do matter.

Keep an eye on dough temperature: Too hot and you’ll kill the yeast; too cold and it won’t rise well. I usually use a thermometer to hit that sweet spot around 105°F.
Don’t over-flour the dough: It’ll feel sticky, and that’s okay. Adding extra flour can make your rolls tough rather than soft and fluffy.
Use an egg wash for the perfect golden crust: It makes them look professionally made and gives them a little glossy boost.
Don’t rush the second rise: That final puff is what makes your rolls pillow-soft and airy—trust the process.

How to Serve Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe

Homemade Dinner Rolls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of brushing the rolls with melted butter right out of the oven and sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped fresh herbs—like thyme or chives—right after baking for a fresh, vibrant aroma that guests always ask about.

Side Dishes

These rolls are a dream alongside hearty soups like creamy tomato basil or classic chicken noodle. I also love serving them with holiday dinners—think roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, or a big pot of beef stew. Their softness soaks up sauces beautifully!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged the rolls into a pull-apart wreath on a round baking tray, brushing each one with herb butter. It’s stunning and irresistible for guests to dig into. You can even stuff them with garlic butter or cheese before rising to surprise everyone.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to three days. To keep them soft, I usually wrap them in a clean kitchen towel before sealing—this helps maintain that tender bite.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully! I let them cool completely, then wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temp and warm in the oven for a few minutes—it’s almost like fresh-baked!

Reheating

To keep that fresh-baked feel, I warm the rolls in a 325°F oven for about 5-7 minutes wrapped loosely in foil. This keeps them soft and moist without drying out, so every bite feels like the first.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. It’s a good workout but totally doable, especially if you don’t have a stand mixer handy.

How do I know if the dough has risen enough?

The dough should roughly double in size and look puffy and airy. When you gently press your finger into the dough, the indentation should slowly bounce back. If it springs back quickly, it needs more time; if it stays indented, it may have overproofed.

Can I add herbs or cheese directly into the dough?

Yes! Adding finely chopped herbs or shredded cheese during the kneading stage creates lovely flavor bursts throughout the rolls. Just be mindful not to add too much, so the dough maintains its structure.

Why are my rolls dense instead of fluffy?

Dense rolls often happen when too much flour is added, making the dough stiff and less airy. Another culprit can be not allowing the dough enough time to rise properly. Stick to the recipe’s flour amount and rise times for best results.

Final Thoughts

Making these Fluffy Homemade Dinner Rolls always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen—there’s something so joyful about pulling fresh rolls from the oven and sharing them. I hope once you try this recipe, you enjoy every soft, buttery bite as much as I do. Don’t be intimidated—just follow the steps, trust the process, and get ready to make a new favorite for your family and friends.