The Best Easy Dinner Roll Recipe (Soft, Buttery & Ready in 2 Hours!)
Updated on November 10, 2025
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If you’re searching for the perfect easy dinner roll recipe, you’ve just discovered it. These pillowy-soft rolls have a tender, fluffy crumb that practically melts in your mouth, a golden-brown buttery crust that’s irresistibly glossy, and they’re ready in just 2 hours from start to finish.
No stand mixer required, no complicated techniques—just simple ingredients and foolproof instructions that guarantee perfect rolls every single time.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced baker looking for a reliable recipe, these dinner rolls will become your new signature dish.
Why This Easy Dinner Roll Recipe Works Every Time
What makes these the best easy dinner rolls? It’s all about the technique and ingredient ratios that guarantee success:
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- Perfectly Balanced Dough: The ideal ratio of flour to liquid creates rolls that are soft and tender without being sticky or dense. They have that coveted “pull-apart” texture that everyone loves.
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- Butter in Every Bite: We incorporate butter three ways—in the dough, brushed on top before baking, and again when they come out of the oven. This creates maximum flavor and that signature glossy, golden crust.
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- Foolproof Rising Method: The two-rise process is forgiving and flexible. Even if you let them rise a bit longer, they’ll still turn out beautifully. No precision timing required.
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- Beginner-Friendly Technique: No stand mixer, no kneading machine, no special equipment. Just your hands, a bowl, and simple techniques that anyone can master on the first try.
Ingredients for Perfect Dinner Rolls
For the Dinner Rolls:
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- Warm Milk (360ml / 1½ cups): The liquid base that creates tender crumb. Warm to 110°F—like a comfortable bath temperature.
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- Active Dry Yeast (2¼ teaspoons / 1 packet): The leavening agent that gives rolls their airy texture and slight yeasty flavor.
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- Granulated Sugar (50g / ¼ cup): Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the butter.
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- Melted Butter (4 tablespoons / ½ stick): Creates richness and tender texture throughout.
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- Egg (1 large): Adds structure, richness, and helps create that beautiful golden color.
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- Salt (1½ teaspoons): Essential for flavor development—never skip it.
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- All-Purpose Flour (480-540g / 4-4½ cups): The foundation. Start with 4 cups and add more as needed.
For Finishing:
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- Melted Butter (2-3 tablespoons): For brushing before and after baking
- Flaky Sea Salt (optional): For a gourmet touch
The Best Easy Dinner Roll Recipe (Soft, Buttery & Ready in 2 Hours!)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl Wooden spoon Measuring cups and spoons Kitchen towel or plastic wrap 9x13-inch baking dish Pastry brush Instant-read thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- 2
Add melted butter, egg, and salt to yeast mixture. Whisk until combined.
- 3
Gradually add 4 cups flour, stirring until shaggy dough forms.
- 4
Turn onto floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding up to ½ cup more flour if needed.
- 5
Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 45-60 minutes until doubled.
- 6
Punch down dough and divide into 12-15 equal pieces. Roll each into a smooth ball.
- 7
Place balls in greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover and let rise 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- 8
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush rolls with melted butter.
- 9
Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- 10
Brush with more melted butter immediately after baking. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Temperature is Everything: Milk that’s too hot will kill your yeast; too cold won’t activate it. Aim for 110°F—it should feel warm but not hot when tested on your wrist, like baby bath water.
The Poke Test for Rising: Dough is ready when you poke it with your finger and the indentation slowly springs back halfway. If it springs back completely, let it rise longer. If it doesn’t spring back at all, it’s over-proofed.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the rolls through Step 6, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed. This cold rise actually develops even better flavor.
Uniform Size Matters: Use a kitchen scale to portion the dough into equal pieces (70-80g each). This ensures all rolls bake evenly and look professionally uniform.
The Secret to Extra Softness: Place a pan of hot water on the bottom oven rack while baking. The steam keeps rolls incredibly moist and tender.
How to Make Easy Dinner Rolls (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Activate Your Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk (110°F), sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly. This step is crucial—if your yeast doesn’t foam, it’s dead and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.
Step 2: Build Your Dough
Add the melted butter, egg, and salt to your foamy yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined. Gradually add 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but manageable.
Step 3: Knead to Perfection
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding small amounts of flour (up to ½ cup more) only if the dough is excessively sticky. Don’t add too much flour—slightly tacky dough creates softer rolls. The dough should bounce back when gently poked.
Step 4: First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 45-60 minutes, until doubled in size. Pro tip: an oven with just the light on creates the perfect environment.
Step 5: Shape Your Rolls
Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Divide into 12-15 equal pieces (about 70-80g each for uniform size). Roll each piece into a smooth ball by cupping your hand over it and rolling in circular motions on the counter. Place rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving about ½ inch space between each.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the pan and let rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy and touching each other. They should look light and airy. Don’t skip this second rise—it’s what creates that incredibly soft texture.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops of risen rolls generously with melted butter. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F. The rolls should sound hollow when tapped.
Step 8: The Butter Finish
Immediately brush the hot rolls with more melted butter when they come out of the oven. This creates that irresistible glossy finish and adds incredible flavor. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving warm.
