Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls are the kind of homemade bread that instantly elevates any meal. These rolls are enriched with honey, butter, eggs, and buttermilk, creating a soft crumb and pillowy texture that melts in your mouth. Unlike dense whole wheat bread, this recipe produces rolls that rise high and bake to a perfectly golden finish thanks to the combination of vital wheat gluten and a carefully balanced dough.
Whether you’re serving them at a holiday dinner, a family gathering, or a cozy weeknight meal, these rolls bring comfort and warmth to the table. Their subtly sweet, buttery flavor pairs wonderfully with soups, roasts, salads, and spreads like jam or herb butter. The dough is easy to handle and reliable, making it a perfect recipe even for those new to baking bread.
These rolls store well, reheat beautifully, and are versatile enough to be enjoyed as dinner rolls, mini sandwich buns, or breakfast bread. Their irresistible fluffiness and homemade aroma make them unforgettable—and likely to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this dinner roll recipe because it delivers everything you want from homemade bread: softness, flavor, and a tender, cloud-like texture. Thanks to the rich combination of honey, butter, and buttermilk, these rolls bake up incredibly moist and airy without becoming dry or crumbly.
The addition of vital wheat gluten ensures a perfect rise, especially when using whole wheat flour, which means you get nutritious homemade rolls without sacrificing texture. The dough is easy to work with, making this recipe approachable whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner just starting your bread journey.
These rolls are also highly versatile—they pair well with savory dishes like roasted chicken or beef stew, and they’re equally delicious with sweet toppings such as jam, honey butter, or cinnamon spread. They’re perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, but simple enough for weeknight dinners or weekend breakfasts.
If you love meal prepping, you’ll appreciate how well the rolls store and reheat. Their soft texture stays intact even after being refrigerated or frozen. With a light sweetness, delicate crumb, and beautiful golden top, these rolls check all the boxes for flavor, texture, and convenience.
Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Homemade dinner rolls are a timeless classic, and there’s something truly special about baking them from scratch. The aroma alone can fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation. Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls go beyond the ordinary—they offer the perfect balance of buttery richness, soft texture, and just a hint of sweetness.
One of the secrets behind these ultra-soft rolls is the combination of ingredients. Honey provides natural sweetness and moisture, while butter adds tenderness and flavor. When paired with eggs and buttermilk, the dough becomes enriched, giving the rolls a pillowy structure that’s hard to resist.
Using whole wheat flour adds nutrition and heartiness, but the addition of vital wheat gluten ensures that the dough rises properly and stays light instead of dense. This makes the recipe ideal for anyone who wants the flavor of whole wheat without sacrificing softness.
The yeast activation step is simple but essential. By dissolving the yeast in warm water, you ensure that the rolls rise beautifully and develop the perfect fluffy interior. Once mixed and kneaded briefly, the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic ball ready for its first rise.
Letting the dough rise in a warm environment helps develop flavor and structure. After the first rise, a quick knead and brief rest help relax the gluten, making it easier to shape the dough evenly into rolls. Dividing it into 24 uniform pieces ensures even baking and a consistent final result.
As the rolls rise for the second time, they become plump and soft, filling the baking pan and setting the stage for a beautiful golden finish. Baking them at the right temperature ensures they remain soft inside while developing a delicate crust on top.
Brushing the rolls with butter after baking adds shine and infuses them with rich flavor. The butter also helps keep the tops soft, complementing the pillowy texture inside. It’s a simple finishing touch that enhances the entire batch.
These dinner rolls are incredibly versatile. They complement main dishes like roasted meats, pasta, soups, or holiday spreads. Their soft texture also makes them excellent for sandwiches or sliders, especially when served warm.
You can easily prepare the dough ahead of time, making this recipe convenient for busy cooks or holiday planning. The dough holds well, and the rolls reheat beautifully, retaining their signature fluffiness.
If you’re looking for a reliable, failproof dinner roll recipe that delivers exceptional texture and flavor, these Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls are a must-try. They provide everything you love about homemade baking—comfort, aroma, and incredible taste—all in one pan.
Servings & Time
Servings: 24 rolls
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 13–25 minutes
Total Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons active dry yeast
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½ cup (120 ml) warm water
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½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, softened (plus extra for brushing)
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¼ cup (80 g) honey
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk or dairy-free buttermilk
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1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten
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1½ teaspoons salt
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4½–5 cups (563–625 g) whole wheat flour
Instructions
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Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside.
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Beat butter and honey in a stand mixer until well combined.
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Add eggs, buttermilk, and dissolved yeast mixture; mix well.
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Add vital wheat gluten and salt, then switch to the dough hook.
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Add 2 cups of flour and mix to combine.
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Gradually add more flour until the dough comes together and is no longer tacky.
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Knead with the dough hook for 2 minutes.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
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Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead briefly, and let rest for 3 minutes.
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Divide dough into 24 equal balls and place in a buttered 13×9-inch pan.
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Let the rolls rise for another 1 hour.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake rolls for 13–25 minutes or until golden brown—do not overbake.
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Brush the tops with butter after removing from the oven.
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Serve warm or cool completely before storing.
Tips
Ingredient Substitutions
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Replace honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
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Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
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Substitute buttermilk with milk + vinegar (1 tbsp vinegar per cup).
Make-Ahead & Storage
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Store rolls at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
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Freeze baked rolls up to 3 months; thaw and warm before serving.
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For best texture, do not overbake—they stay soft when slightly underbaked.
Serving Variations
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Brush with garlic herb butter for a savory twist.
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Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds before baking.
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Use as slider buns for mini sandwiches.
Avoid Common Mistakes
-
Do not add too much flour; dough should be slightly soft and elastic.
-
Avoid hot water when activating yeast—warm water ensures proper rise.
-
Don’t skip the second rise; it guarantees fluffy, airy rolls.
Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup 120 ml warm water
- ½ cup 113 g unsalted butter or coconut oil, softened (plus extra for brushing)
- ¼ cup 80 g honey
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup 240 ml buttermilk or dairy-free buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 4½ –5 cups 563–625 g whole wheat flour
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside.
- Beat butter and honey in a stand mixer until well combined.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, and dissolved yeast mixture; mix well.
- Add vital wheat gluten and salt, then switch to the dough hook.
- Add 2 cups of flour and mix to combine.
- Gradually add more flour until the dough comes together and is no longer tacky.
- Knead with the dough hook for 2 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead briefly, and let rest for 3 minutes.
- Divide dough into 24 equal balls and place in a buttered 13×9-inch pan.
- Let the rolls rise for another 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake rolls for 13–25 minutes or until golden brown—do not overbake.
- Brush the tops with butter after removing from the oven.
- Serve warm or cool completely before storing.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Replace honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
- Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
- Substitute buttermilk with milk + vinegar (1 tbsp vinegar per cup).
Make-Ahead & Storage
- Store rolls at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze baked rolls up to 3 months; thaw and warm before serving.
- For best texture, do not overbake—they stay soft when slightly underbaked.
Serving Variations
- Brush with garlic herb butter for a savory twist.
- Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds before baking.
- Use as slider buns for mini sandwiches.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Do not add too much flour; dough should be slightly soft and elastic.
- Avoid hot water when activating yeast—warm water ensures proper rise.
- Don't skip the second rise; it guarantees fluffy, airy rolls.
