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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Beginner recipe for yeast rolls
These soft dinner rolls are perfect for special occasions!
This yeast roll recipe is versatile - you can make dinner rolls, sandwich buns, or even cinnamon rolls! I love that it is easy to work with, so it's great for beginners. The delicious rolls come out light and fluffy every time. Even if you've never made bread before!
Ingredients/variations
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
Variations
Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough for garlic rolls.
You can also brush these homemade yeast rolls with a little honey butter, for a slightly sweet taste.
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.
Instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions for the easy dinner roll recipe. For the complete directions, just scroll down to the bottom to the recipe card.
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- stand mixer
- large bowl
- plastic wrap
- 9-inch round cake pan
- pizza cutter or large knife
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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!
Top Tip
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.
- 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. It's supposed to be!
- This recipe is not for use in a bread machine.
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!
- 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.
Have you made bread before? No? So tell me, what did you think? Did you find the recipe easy to follow? Were your rolls light and fluffy? Please let me know in the comments below!
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 + additional butter for buttering the pan.
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 40 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.
- Cover with the rolls plastic wrap or a damp towel while they are rising for another 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 18-22 minutes or until nice and golden brown.
- Optional - after baking brush additional butter over the hot rolls. Enjoy!
Dessie Cork says
I have been making homemade bread for at least 50 yrs. An this is an easy recipe and think I will make them tomorrow an will let u know how turn out
Debra Clark says
Wonderful, enjoy Dessie!
Lois says
I made this the other day and they were so good. We sure did enjoy them. So easy.
Belinda says
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 says
Wonderful, glad you enjoyed the recipe Belinda - there's nothing like fresh baked rolls!!
Heather Bee says
This recipe is amazing. I nailed it the first round my family loved an enjoy the rolls , however can I double up the recipe I have a big family. Thanks for helpful tips
Debra Clark says
You're so welcome Heather, glad you enjoyed the rolls! And just like that, you're baking bread - that's awesome!
Samantha Gantt says
Wasn’t happy with this recipe, did everything by instruction and reread. Didn’t come out well.
Bowl Me Over says
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.
Bonny Kirby says
Not that you need my 2cents worth on this, but sometimes humidity will affect how dough rises.
Debra Clark says
I appreciate your two cents Bonny - great point, thanks for sharing!!
Pam says
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 says
Great, enjoy those rolls Pam. I just love homemade bread!
Celeste Reitz says
Is the butter just for greasing the pan?
Bowl Me Over says
Yes you'll butter the bowl as the dough rests and also the pan. Enjoy the rolls Celeste!
ReRe says
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 says
Yes, the sugar is necessary in the recipe. It activates the yeast and helps the dough to rise.
Sue says
I don't have a stand mixer. What else can I use?
Bowl Me Over says
You can knead the dough the old fashioned way.
Hailey says
I love the rolls thank you!
Bowl Me Over says
Glad you're enjoying the recipe, Hailey!