Classic Dinner Rolls

These irresistible dinner rolls are fluffy, buttery, and just a little bit sweet for a delicious flavor combination. No one will be able to say no to these dinner rolls — especially when they're warm right out of the oven.

Dinner Rolls Ingredients

You'll only need a few pantry staple ingredients for this recipe:

• Flour: Of course, bread needs flour. Use all-purpose flour for the best results.
• Yeast: This recipe calls for RapidRise yeast, which is what we recommend you use. However, you can use active yeast, you'll just have to follow the directions on the package. Whatever yeast you use, make sure it's not expired or else the dough won't rise.
• Sugar: Two tablespoons of sugar is all you need to add a hint of sweetness.
• Salt: Salt adds a touch of flavor.
• Milk: Warm milk will activate the yeast, moisten the dough, and keep it soft while it bakes.
• Butter: Butter adds a rich flavor to the rolls.

How to Make Dinner Rolls

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below, but here's what you can expect when making dinner rolls from scratch:

1. Make the dough: Combine flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, warm milk, water, and butter in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer, adding more flour as needed, for a few minutes. Continuously scrape down the sides.
2. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured and knead until smooth and elastic.
3. Let the dough rise: Cover and let the dough rise. This should only take 10 minutes if you're using fast-acting instant yeast (like Fleischmann's RapidRise Yeast).
4. Shape the dough: Cut and shape the dough into rolls and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until the rolls have doubled in size.
5. Bake the rolls: Bake the proofed rolls until golden brown. Brush with melted butter and serve warm.
   

Learn more: How to Make Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

What to Serve With Dinner Rolls

Dinner rolls go well with just about anything — in our experience, no one will ever complain about some extra tasty bread on the table. If you need some inspiration, try serving your dinner rolls with one of these recipes:

• Italian Sausage Spaghetti
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Chef John's Nashville Hot Chicken

Can You Make Dinner Rolls Ahead of Time?

Yes, absolutely! Even though these rolls only take about an hour and a half to make, you can break up the prep time by shaping the dough into rolls and then refrigerating them before the second rise. You can leave the rolls in the fridge overnight. Then, when you're ready to bake, allow the rolls to come to room temperature. Proof them for about 30 minutes (or until they're doubled in size). Bake as directed.

How to Store Dinner Rolls

Store your rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to three days. To extend their life, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How to Reheat Dinner Rolls

Reheat dinner rolls in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until they're warmed through. For a quicker method, you can also reheat them in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds.

How to Freeze Dinner Rolls

Freezing dinner rolls is simple: Just place completely cooled rolls in a zip-top freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

You can also freeze the dinner roll dough for easy baking later. Place the shaped dough (before the second rise) on a baking sheet and into the freezer. Let the dough freeze overnight until it's frozen solid. Then, place the frozen dough balls into a zip-top freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months.

When you're ready to bake, take the dough balls out of the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Let the dough thaw and rise for about 4 to 5 hours. Bake as directed.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"This recipe is awesome. I followed it to a "T" and they came out perfectly. Only flaw: it only made 11. Next time I make these I'm going to have to double the batch. They didn't last 30 mins after they came out of the oven," says BakersGirl.

"This recipe has to be the easiest and tastiest roll recipe ever! I kneaded the dough in my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook for 5 minutes. If you are using a mixer for kneading, you can usually cut the original kneading time in half. After 20 minutes in the oven I had fluffy, golden-brown picture-perfect rolls. This is the only roll recipe I will use from now on," raves Joyful Cook.

"I too used regular dry yeast since I did not have RapidRise yeast and used my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook. I simply let the buns rise longer than the recipe called for and baked. The buns were awesome and my husband could not stop eating them," according to TMYERBURG.

Editorial contributions by Bailey Fink