Menu
Perfect Dinner Rolls Perfect Dinner Rolls
Dinner Rolls Dinner Rolls
Best Cinnamon Rolls Best Cinnamon Rolls
Big-Batch Dinner Rolls Big-Batch Dinner Rolls
Italian Dinner Rolls Italian Dinner Rolls
Buttery Dinner Rolls Buttery Dinner Rolls
Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls
Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Oatmeal Dinner Rolls
Best Ever Crescent Rolls Best Ever Crescent Rolls
Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls
Crescent Dinner Rolls Crescent Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Zucchini Dinner Rolls Zucchini Dinner Rolls
Dove Dinner Rolls Dove Dinner Rolls
Bread Machine Dinner Rolls Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
Cornmeal Dinner Rolls Cornmeal Dinner Rolls
Parker House Dinner Rolls Parker House Dinner Rolls
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls
90-Minute Dinner Rolls 90-Minute Dinner Rolls

Best Dinner Rolls

24 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 35 min. + rising Bake: 10 min.

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
These are the best dinner rolls around. If you can't decide which enticing topping to choose, just use them all.—Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri
Next Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • FOR EVERYTHING DINNER ROLLS:
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • FOR PARMESAN-GARLIC DINNER ROLLS:
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
  • FOR ALMOND-HERB DINNER ROLLS:
  • 2 tablespoons chopped sliced almonds
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, salt and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Add 2 eggs; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape dough into 24 balls. Place in 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 375°. Brush rolls with lightly beaten egg. Sprinkle with toppings for rolls of your choice. Bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; serve warm.
Best Dinner Rolls Tips

How do you proof yeast for the best dinner rolls?

Yeast may seem scary at first, but learning how to proof yeast is really simple. To proof yeast for this recipe (and others), add a packet of yeast to warm water (about 105º-115ºF) mixed with a tablespoon of sugar. The warm water and sugar will activate the yeast. You'll be able to tell if your yeast is ready to add to your recipe when the mix starts to get frothy and bubbly. Don't skip this step! Proofing—sometimes otherwise called testing yeast—is crucial for making dinner rolls and other yeasted bread recipes.

How do you proof dinner rolls?

After proofing the yeast and kneading the dough, you also need to proof the dough (twice, actually). For the first proof, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Leave this to rest in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. After this first proof, shape the rolls and let them proof again before baking.

How long does it take for the dough to proof?

Proofing times depend on the temperature and humidity of your kitchen. Yeast likes temperatures above 75ºF, with some humidity. With the right conditions, dough proofs in 45 to 60 minutes. If your kitchen is on the cooler side, check out these tricks for proofing bread dough.

How do you shape dinner rolls?

This recipe for our best dinner rolls is very versatile. You can shape dinner rolls in all sorts of ways. Try basic rounds to start, then move onto knots, or cloverleaf rolls—made by clustering three balls of dough together.

—Lisa Kaminski, Taste of Home Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 roll (calculated without toppings): 118 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.