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Home » Recipes » Bread and Roll Recipes

Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough

Published: Dec 25, 2022 · Modified: Feb 25, 2025 by Debra Clark · 14 Comments

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These are the tastiest easy dinner rolls! Rolls from frozen dough are a cinch to make and you'll enjoy fuss-free homemade rolls! Perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner or just about any meal!

Love easy shortcuts? Next time try Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls - also made with Rhodes dough!

Dinner Rolls in a cast iron skillet
Easy Homemade Dinner Rolls
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough

Why you'll love this recipe

You'll love these rolls because they are delicious, but don't take hours of work in the kitchen! The big shortcut is store-bought dough.

My Grandma made these white dinner rolls for dinner every night. They were always hot and fresh out of the oven, perfectly timed for an evening meal.

Whether we were feeding 10 or 25, she never took a shortcut by using store bought rolls... or so I thought!

It wasn't until I was in my 40's that I realized Grandma used frozen bread dough! Seriously? If it worked for my 98-year-old Grandma, then it definitely works for me!

Slathering these with Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter or Texas Roadhouse Butter? Heavenly!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • frozen dinner rolls
  • butter
  • garlic powder, Italian seasoning

Instructions

Step by step directions to make rolls using frozen dough.

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Butter the cast iron skillet.
  2. Place the frozen dough in the buttered skillet or on baking sheet.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place. Allow rolls to rise.
  4. Baste thawed dough with butter prior to baking and bake until golden brown.
  5. After removing from the oven, baste with the remaining butter.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   

I absolutely love this Cast Iron Skillet - I think you will too!

A skillet filled with freshly baked dinner rolls.
Skillet Rolls, perfectly baked golden brown.

FAQ's

What does it mean to proof dough?

Proofing the dough is the final rise of the dough prior to baking. In this recipe, you'll wait for the dough to thaw and proof. This takes about three hours. The dough will double in size.

What happens if you don't proof the dough?

If you don't allow the dough to proof completely, the rolls will be tough and heavy. Allowing the rolls to rise will keep them light and fluffy!

What is the best way to proof dough?

Allow it to sit on the counter in a warm area until it doubles in size. Frozen dough can be placed in a buttered baking dish and placed in a slightly warm oven to speed up the proofing process.

Does frozen bread dough need to be kneaded?

Frozen bread dough doesn't need to be kneaded, you skip that step entirely!

Why are my rolls heavy and dense?

That will happen if you don't allow the dough to rise properly.

How long do frozen rolls need to rise?

They need to rise 3-5 hours before baking.

How do I know if the frozen rolls have risen enough?

That's easy! The dough will have doubled in size.

Tips

While the dough is proofing, cover the dough with plastic wrap. Spraying the plastic wrap with non-sticking spray will keep it from sticking.

Butter the baking dish, it adds home cooked flavor.

Brushing the rolls with garlic butter when they are just pulled out of the oven makes them absolutely delicious!

Dinner rolls made in a cast iron skillet
Skillet Dinner Rolls

Variations

Use frozen bread dough to make garlic breadsticks! Allow the rolls to thaw, roll them into breadsticks and proof until doubled in size. Place on parchment paper and bake as directed until golden brown. As soon as you pull them out of the oven, brush will garlic butter and they will taste just like garlic breadsticks from the Olive Garden!

Sprinkle the unbaked dough with parmesan cheese for cheesy rolls.

Make Clover Rolls - Split each roll into thirds. Roll into small balls. Place three balls into a muffin tin and allow to rise. Brush with melted butter and bake according to directions.

Related recipes

Yes, you can spend hours making the dough - and for those folks that do that - hands off!

  • Air Fryer Garlic Bread - cheesy garlic toast, that's easy to make and fabulous!
  • Easy Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread - super delicious and so easy to make!
  • Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe - easy to make garlicky breadsticks using pre-made dough.
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread - Grab a slice and enjoy! It's terrific with soup, salads and casseroles.

Looking for more fabulous Holiday Side Dishes? THIS is where to go next. The most amazing side dishes that are easy to make and delicious!

Serve with

If you're looking for some terrific recipes to pair with this, make some Turkey Corn Chowder, Taco Soup or Award-Winning Cheeseburger Soup - dinner rolls and soup is always the perfect combination.

These easy dinner rolls are a must have at every holiday meals, so if you're making a Holiday Turkey or Glazed Ham, be sure and pick up a bag of frozen bread rolls for Christmas morning!

I love serving rolls with pasta casseroles as well. Is it a carb overload? Absolutely, but it's the best combination!

So next time you make Chicken and Broccoli Pasta or Chicken Spaghetti be sure and make some easy dinner rolls to serve alongside.

Baked dinner rolls in skillet.
5 from 2 votes

Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough

These easy dinner rolls are simple and delicious! They are a perfect side dish at every meal!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time5 minutes mins
Proofing the rolls4 hours hrs
Total Time4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 12 frozen dinner rolls
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • non stick spray or extra butter for baking dish.

Instructions

  • Using 1 tablespoon butter, generously butter the inside of a cast iron skillet or cookie sheet.
  • Place the frozen dinner rolls in the buttered skillet about 2 inches apart.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area. Let rise until doubled in size, about three to four hours.
  • Before baking melt butter and stir in the remaining spices. Generously brush onto the uncooked rolls.
  • Bake rolls according to package directions until golden brown.
  • When the rolls are removed from the oven, brush tops with melted butter. Serve while hot and enjoy!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1.5mg

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      Air Fryer Garlic Bread

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen says

      November 25, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      Turkey soup this weekend

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 26, 2020 at 6:17 am

        Mmmmm Turkey soup is good stuff! Here's my favorite recipe - https://bowl-me-over.com/turkey-corn-chowder/

        Reply
    2. Laura Sharp says

      November 27, 2018 at 9:48 pm

      I would make my favorite potato soup served in homemade pretzel breadbowls!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        December 01, 2018 at 9:52 am

        Potato soup is my jam Laura, that sounds delicious!

        Reply
    3. Stacey Roberson says

      November 25, 2018 at 6:45 am

      My first recipe would be Maple-Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 25, 2018 at 1:15 pm

        Stacey, that sounds just wonderful - I want to have dinner at your home! Good luck in the giveaway!!

        Reply
    4. Lois says

      November 23, 2018 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      We had these rolls and were very good and better yet so easy to do. Nothing wrong with a short cut to make life a bit easier.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 25, 2018 at 1:16 pm

        They are SO GOOD! Hard to put them down and they just don't last very long either - too yummy!!!

        Reply
    5. Christi says

      November 21, 2018 at 8:47 pm

      I am sure my husband would roast a prime rib in that pan.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 22, 2018 at 6:35 am

        That sounds delicious and perfect for the next holiday!

        Reply
    6. Erin Walsh says

      November 21, 2018 at 6:41 am

      Probably a chicken.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 22, 2018 at 6:42 am

        Chicken sounds delicious Erin! Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    7. Liza says

      November 20, 2018 at 8:08 pm

      5 stars
      I've never done Rolls in my whole life because I'm kind of nervous about dealing with all the yeasted dough! But they are such "must" and this simple solution is such a life-savior! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 22, 2018 at 6:43 am

        I'm all about keeping it easy - Happy Thanksgiving Liza, I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

        Reply
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