These soft homemade dinner rolls are so light and tender that “pillow soft” is the only way I know to describe them. Fresh from the oven and brushed with melted butter, they’re the perfect addition to weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or whenever you’re craving warm homemade bread.
Don’t let the sticky dough fool you. It’s exactly what gives these rolls their wonderfully soft texture. With a little patience during kneading, you’ll be rewarded with bakery-quality dinner rolls that stay soft for days and taste just as delicious when gently reheated.
- Exceptionally soft and fluffy texture.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect alongside soups, stews, pasta, or holiday dinners.
- Freezes and reheats beautifully.
- Great for sliders and sandwiches the next day.
These tips made all the difference when baking these rolls:
- The dough should feel sticky at first—avoid adding too much extra flour.
- Knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, even if it still feels slightly tacky.
- Give the dough enough time to rise; this is what creates the light, airy texture.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven to keep the crust soft and add extra flavor.
- Enjoy them warm, or store them in an airtight container and warm them for a few seconds before serving.
Why is my dough so sticky?
That’s completely normal. This is a high-hydration dough, which helps create exceptionally soft dinner rolls. Resist adding too much flour while kneading.
Can I knead the dough by hand?
Yes. It takes a little patience, but the dough will gradually become smoother as you continue kneading.
Can I freeze these dinner rolls?
Yes. Once cooled, freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Warm them before serving.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. After the first rise, refrigerate the dough overnight, then shape, proof, and bake the next day.
Soft Homemade Dinner Rolls
These Soft Homemade Dinner Rolls are wonderfully soft, buttery, and light with a tender crumb that stays fresh for days. Made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for everyday dinners, holiday meals, and making ahead for the week.
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon room temperature unsalted butter
- ½ cup warm milk
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Sesame seeds to sprinkle on dinner rolls before baking optional
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Mix warm milk with yeast and sugar, keep aside for 10 minutes.
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In a bowl, add the flour and salt. Add the butter and rub with flour for one minute.
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Pour the wet ingredients and knead for 10 minutes. The dough will be sticky but will get firmer the more you knead. The dough will still be little sticky but won’t leave pieces of dough in your hand.
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Cove the dough and leave in warm place to double in size, around 1 and half hour.
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Preheat oven to 375F/190C. Line 8×8” baking pan with parchment paper.
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Knead the dough gently for few seconds, then form nine equal size balls and place in the baking pan. Sprinkle sesame seeds and press gently. Cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
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Bake for 16 to 18 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Enjoy while still warm.
- The dough should feel sticky at first—avoid adding too much extra flour.
- Knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, even if it still feels slightly tacky.
- Give the dough enough time to rise; this is what creates the light, airy texture.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven to keep the crust soft and add extra flavor.
- Enjoy them warm, or store them in an airtight container and warm them for a few seconds before serving.
Serving: 1 Roll | Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 155mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
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