These Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners are the perfect way to get started with yeast baking! The dough is simple to make, and the rolls come out light and fluffy every time. These are the BEST rolls!
Serve them warm, straight from the oven, slathered with the Texas Roadhouse Butter Recipe or Orange Jelly for a truly delicious treat. You'll love these fluffy dinner rolls!
Next time try this recipe for Air Fryer Garlic Bread - it's the perfect crispy, cheesy bite!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ This yeast roll recipe is versatile- you can make dinner rolls, sandwich buns, or even cinnamon rolls!
✔️ The dough is easy to work with, so it's great for beginners.
✔️ These delicious rolls come out light and fluffy every time.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the homemade rolls, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- warm water (110-115 degrees)
- granulated sugar
- active dry yeast (not instant yeast)
- salt
- all-purpose flour
- salted butter
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for the easy dinner roll recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a bowl of a stand-up mixer, proof the yeast. Add ½ cup of water, one tablespoon of granulated sugar and the active dry yeast.
- Let it stand for 3 to 4 minutes or until the yeast has froth/foams up.
- Once the yeast is frothing up, add the remaining remaining water, sugar, salt, and half the flour.
- Mix until all wet ingredients are blended.
- Add the remaining flour. Using a dough hook, mix until you have a dough form. If using a stand-up mixer, mix the dough at medium speed until it has formed a ball and is detached from the sides of the bowl. The dough may have lumps and be a bit sticky. It’s okay. The next step will solve this.
- On a clean, lightly floured surface (about 1 tablespoon of flour), place the dough on it. With your hands, knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes or until the dough is not sticky anymore and the dough is smooth.
- Oil a large mixing bowl. That way the dough ball rises and won’t stick to the bowl or plastic wrap.
- Place the dough ball in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise for 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size—place in a warm environment. Use a draft-free place. I like to put mine in the microwave.
- Butter a 9-inch round cake pan with one tablespoon of butter. You can also use nonstick cooking spray, but I found butter gives the crust a nice flavor.
- Take the dough out of the bowl, place it on a lightly floured surface, and cut the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
- Place the shaped rolls into a 9-inch cake pan. Brush the top of the rolls with melted butter.
- Let it rise for 45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt the remaining butter. Brush the top of the rolls with melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until nice and golden.
- Optional - after baking brush additional butter over the hot rolls. Enjoy!
Equipment
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- measuring cups and spoons
- stand mixer
- large bowl
- plastic wrap
- 9-inch round cake pan
- pizza cutter or large knife
FAQ's
If your yeast rolls are dense and heavy, it could be a number of things. First, make sure you're using active dry yeast. Second, check the expiration date on your yeast- if it's old, it may not be as active as it should be.
When yeast cells consume sugar, they create more CO2. The bubbles in your bread are caused by this gas being released from the dough and making it lighter and fluffier! Be sure to let the bread rise.
Yes, if you knead for too long, the gluten in your dough will become overworked and tough. This will result in a denser, harder loaf of bread.
The best way to tell if the dough is kneaded enough is to perform the windowpane test. Pinch off a small piece of the dough and stretch it out slowly. If it stretches out into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, it's ready!
Things to know
- Use active dry yeast. Rapid rise yeast will make your bread rise a lot faster which may lead to an overproof bread if following this recipe.
- Additionally, active dry yeast gives a more “bready” taste, and in my opinion the structure and texture is fluffier and lighter!
- Don't forget to oil the bowl, that way when the dough rises and won’t stick to the bowl and plastic wrap.
- The dough will be sticky, that is ok!
- Place dough on a well floured board. Knead the dough for at least two minutes.
- Make sure you knead the dough for at least two minutes, to help the gluten develop.
- I use salted butter, because it’s what I always have on hand, but you could use unsalted and just add an additional ¼ teaspoon of salt to the recipe
- This recipe is not for the bread machine.
Variations
- Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough for garlic rolls.
- After you brush the butter on the cooked rolls, sprinkle with some dried parsley flakes.
- For a sweet option, mix together 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. After you cut the dough into 12 pieces, roll each piece in the sugar mixture. Place in the pan and let it rise.
- If you don't want to make 12 rolls, you can cut the dough into 6 pieces and make larger rolls. Just increase the baking time by 3-5 minutes.
- You can also brush these homemade yeast rolls with a little honey butter, for a slightly sweet taste.
These soft dinner rolls are perfect for special occasions!
Storage
Refrigerate - Allow to cool to room temperature. Place rolls in an airtight container or bag and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat before serving.
Freezer - place rolls in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Reheat - place rolls on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350-degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through.
Related recipes
- You will love this recipe if you are craving some soft yeasty rolls but don't want to knead the bread. It's the easiest dinner rolls! Made from Frozen Bread Dough this is a great recipe!
- Want to try making homemade bread? This is a great one for beginners. Homemade Crusty Bread is perfect even if you've never baked bread before!
- Do you love cheesy breadsticks but hate paying them high prices at pizza restaurants? This is a great side! Be sure to try these Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks! They taste just like the restaurant without the price.
- Do you love garlic bread? Well, then you'll love this Garlic-Stuffed Cheesy Bread recipe.
Serve with
- These are the best dinner rolls! They are perfect for pairing with this Easy Chicken Casserole with Stuffing. Your entire family will enjoy this comforting meal.
- Are you looking for an easy vegetable side dish that even the picky eaters will enjoy? Then look no further than these Steamed Brussels Sprouts.
- Blueberry Parfaits are the best way to end this meal when you are craving something slightly sweet but still light and fresh.
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners
Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm water - (110-115 degrees)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2-3 tablespoons salted butter melted
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Instructions
- In a bowl of a stand-up mixer, proof the yeast. Add ½ cup of water, one tablespoon of granulated sugar and the active dry yeast.
- Let it stand for 3 to 4 minutes or until the yeast has froth/foams up.
- Once the yeast is frothing up, add the remaining remaining water, sugar, salt, and half the flour.
- Mix until all wet ingredients are blended.
- Add the remaining flour. Using a dough hook, mix until you have a dough form. If using a stand-up mixer, mix the dough at medium speed until it has formed a ball and is detached from the sides of the bowl. The dough may have lumps and be a bit sticky. It’s okay. The next step will solve this.
- On a clean, lightly floured surface (about 1 tablespoon of flour), place the dough on it. With your hands, knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes or until the dough is not sticky anymore and the dough is smooth.
- Oil a large mixing bowl. That way the dough ball rises and won’t stick to the bowl or plastic wrap.
- Place the dough ball in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise for 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size—place in a warm environment. Use a draft-free place. I like to put mine in the microwave.
- Butter a 9-inch round cake pan with one tablespoon of butter. You can also use nonstick cooking spray, but I found butter gives the crust a nice flavor.
- Take the dough out of the bowl, place it on a lightly floured surface, and cut the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
- Place the shaped rolls into a 9-inch cake pan. Brush the top of the rolls with melted butter.
- Let it rise for 45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Melt the remaining butter. Brush the top of the rolls with melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until nice and golden.
- Optional - after baking brush additional butter over the hot rolls. Enjoy!
Belinda
These were excellent. It made about 14, next time I will double or better yet triple the recipe. These were devoured in 10 mins right out of the oven. My husband and daughter keep asking for more. Thank you.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful, glad you enjoyed the recipe Belinda - there's nothing like fresh baked rolls!!
Samantha Gantt
Wasn’t happy with this recipe, did everything by instruction and reread. Didn’t come out well.
Bowl Me Over
I wish you'd left more detail, Samantha. If the yeast rolls turned out dense, it could be a variety of reasons. For instance, the rolls weren't allowed to rise sufficiently; the yeast was old or expired, not kneading the dough properly, etc. I personally have not had an issue with this recipe.
Pam
So happy to find a recipe that has recommended rise times. Telling me “until it doubles” meant nothing. I always let dough sit too long and had hard lumps of bread. Thank you!
Bowl Me Over
Great, enjoy those rolls Pam. I just love homemade bread!
Celeste Reitz
Is the butter just for greasing the pan?
Bowl Me Over
Yes you'll butter the bowl as the dough rests and also the pan. Enjoy the rolls Celeste!
ReRe
Do you need to add sugar? Can you leave it out or use less? Would this cause a difference in how the dough reacts?
Bowl Me Over
Yes, the sugar is necessary in the recipe. It activates the yeast and helps the dough to rise.
Sue
I don't have a stand mixer. What else can I use?
Bowl Me Over
You can knead the dough the old fashioned way.
Hailey
I love the rolls thank you!
Bowl Me Over
Glad you're enjoying the recipe, Hailey!