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 just irresistibly comforting about fresh rolls with dinner, isn’t there? This Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe is exactly the kind of homemade goodness that elevates any meal — think pillowy, tender bites that practically melt in your mouth. Trust me, once you try making these, you’ll see why they’re worth every minute of attention.

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 honestly can’t get enough of these rolls — making them feels like a small kitchen celebration every time. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and just the right amount of sugar, which makes for rolls that are irresistibly soft and fluffy, with a golden crust that’s perfectly tender.

Perfect texture every time: The right blend of ingredients creates rolls that are light, springy, and never dense.
Simple ingredient list: No strange additives or preservatives — just basics you probably have in your pantry.
Flexible and forgiving method: Whether you’re a bread newbie or a pro, this recipe adapts well to your pace and tools.
Impressively versatile: These rolls pair perfectly with anything from holiday meals to everyday dinners.

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

Every ingredient plays a key role in creating the tenderness and fluffiness here. Using bread flour ensures just enough gluten development for chew without toughness, and the combination of butter, milk, and eggs helps keep these rolls unbelievably soft and rich.

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 yeast efficiently without killing it; aim for around 100-110°F.
Warm milk: Adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle sweetness to the dough.
Unsalted butter: Provides richness; melted butter also helps with dough softness and greasing the pan.
Eggs: Enrich the dough and give these rolls their beautiful golden color.
Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness — don’t skip it!
Fine sea salt: Key for enhancing flavors without overpowering them.
Instant yeast: Quick and reliable leavening agent, helps the dough rise perfectly.
Bread flour: Provides enough protein to develop gluten, creating that soft but structured crumb.
Egg wash (egg, lightly beaten): Gives a shiny, golden finish when baked.
Flaky sea salt: The finishing touch for mild saltiness and crunch 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

I love experimenting by adding a little garlic powder or fresh chopped herbs like rosemary right into the dough — it adds a subtle, savory twist without losing that classic softness. You can also swap out some bread flour for all-purpose if you want a slightly less chewy texture.

Herb-Infused Rolls: Adding chopped fresh rosemary or thyme brings a fragrant note that makes these rolls unforgettable at dinner parties.
Whole Wheat Substitute: Using half whole wheat flour creates a nuttier roll with extra fiber, and it still stays pretty fluffy.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap milk for almond or oat milk and butter for a plant-based spread; the rolls remain surprisingly tender.
Sweet Roll Variation: Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a dessert-worthy twist.

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

Step 1: Mix and Build the Dough

Start by combining the lukewarm water, warm milk, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, sugar, salt, and instant yeast together in your stand mixer bowl. Then, add just 2 cups of bread flour and stir with a wooden spoon until you get a shaggy, rough dough — don’t be tempted to add all the flour at once! This way you’ll have better control over the texture as you knead.

Step 2: Knead to Soft Perfection

Switch to the dough hook attachment and turn your mixer to medium-low, gradually adding the remaining flour. Once all flour is incorporated, crank up to medium-high speed and knead for about 4 to 5 minutes. Your dough should feel smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky – not sticky. If it feels too sticky, lightly dust your hands with flour instead of adding more to the mixer; that keeps the rolls soft rather than dense.

Step 3: The Magic First Rise

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray to prevent sticking, place your dough inside, and cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Set it in a warm spot to rise for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until it’s doubled in size and looks gloriously puffy. This rise is crucial for light airy rolls, so be patient!

Step 4: Shape and Second Rise

Gently grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter. Then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and deflate gently - no need to get rough here! Divide into 12 equal pieces using a bench scraper, knife, or pizza cutter. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them snugly in your prepared pan. Cover again and let rise until doubled, which takes about another hour.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Bliss

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush the tops of your rolls gently with beaten egg for that beautiful golden sheen. Pop them in the oven and bake for roughly 20 minutes or until they’re golden brown and smell so heavenly you might want to sneak a taste right away!

Step 6: Finish with Butter and Salt

Once out of the oven, brush the rolls with melted butter — this step adds moisture and flavor—and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for a subtle, tasty crunch. Serve warm for maximum "wow" factor.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at crafting the perfect dinner roll, a few little tricks can make a big difference. These will help you avoid common pitfalls and get that soft, fluffy texture every time.

Don’t Add Too Much Flour: The dough will feel sticky because of the butter and milk, but resist adding extra flour; using wet hands to handle sticky dough works better.
Proof Your Yeast (Optional): While instant yeast can be mixed straight into the dough, proofing it briefly in warm water and milk helps speed up rising and ensures active yeast.
Use Bread Flour: This gives the rolls their chewy, tender crumb — all-purpose flour makes them a bit softer but less structured.
Don’t Rush the Rises: Let each rise finish fully for soft crumb and great volume. If it rises too fast, your oven time may need adjustment.

How to Serve Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I adore brushing the rolls with melted herb butter—adding chopped parsley or garlic powder to the melted butter before brushing creates a flavorful finish. Flaky sea salt on top adds a delightful touch of contrast and crunch that makes each bite memorable.

Side Dishes

These rolls are my go-to with soups, stews, especially creamy chicken or classic beef stew. I also love pairing them with roasted veggies and a hearty salad; they’re perfect for sopping up any extra gravy or sauce on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I arrange the rolls in a beautiful basket lined with a linen napkin, then sprinkle herbs over the top. Another fun idea is to make mini sliders by slicing the rolls and filling with flavorful sandwich fixings — instant party pleasers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover rolls in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For best texture, I pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel to bring back softness.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. I wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them on the counter for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the rolls in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil to retain moisture. This refreshes the crust without drying out the soft interiors perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! You can mix and knead by hand. It will just take a bit more elbow grease. Make sure to knead for about 10 minutes until the dough feels smooth and elastic.

What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?

The dough should be a bit tacky but not overly sticky. If it’s too sticky, try dampening your hands with water instead of adding extra flour while shaping. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon of water or milk, one at a time, while kneading.

Can I make these into a different shape besides rolls?

Yes! You can shape the dough into a braided loaf or even a pull-apart loaf in a loaf pan. Just be mindful of baking times, which might vary depending on shape and size.

How can I tell when the rolls are done baking?

They should be a lovely golden brown on top and sound hollow when you tap the bottom. If you’re unsure, an internal thermometer should read 190°F for fully baked rolls.

Final Thoughts

Making this Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls Recipe has become a sort of weekend ritual for me. There’s just something truly satisfying about pulling warm, pillowy rolls fresh from the oven and sharing them with the people I love. You don’t have to be a bread expert to achieve fantastic results here — just a little patience and care. I hope you enjoy baking these just as much as I do!