Best Homemade Dinner Rolls Ever (Soft, Fluffy & Foolproof!)

 

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked dinner rolls filling the kitchen. These soft, buttery rolls are made with simple ingredients and Fleischmann’s RapidRise yeast, giving you perfectly fluffy results in less time. Whether you’re serving them with weeknight dinner, a holiday feast, or simply enjoying them warm with butter, this is the only dinner roll recipe you’ll ever need.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided (you may need a little extra)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope Fleischmann’s® RapidRise Yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1 Start with the Dry Mix

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• ¾ cup flour
• Sugar
• Undissolved RapidRise yeast
• Salt

Stir everything together until well blended.

2 Heat the Milk Mixture

In a small saucepan, warm:

• Milk
• Water
• Butter

Heat just until the mixture reaches 120–130°F (warm but not hot).
This is the ideal temperature range for activating RapidRise yeast.

Tip: If the mixture gets too hot, let it cool slightly — overheated liquid can kill the yeast.

3 Combine Wet & Dry

Pour the warm milk mixture into the flour mixture.
Using an electric mixer:

1. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
2. Add ¼ cup flour and beat again, this time for 2 minutes on high speed.
3. Switch to a spatula or wooden spoon and stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.

4 Knead the Dough

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, or until it becomes:

✔ Smooth
✔ Elastic
✔ Soft

Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.

5 Shape the Rolls

1. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
2. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath.
3. Place the dough balls into a greased 8-inch round baking pan, spacing them evenly.

6 Let the Rolls Rise

Cover the pan and let the rolls rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.

Pro Tip: The microwave with the door closed (but not turned on!) makes a perfect warm rising spot.

7 Bake to Golden Perfection

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, or until the tops are a beautiful golden brown.
3. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

• Spread with butter, honey butter, or jam
• Serve alongside soups, stews, pasta, or roasted meats
• Enjoy with holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner

Tips for the Softest, Fluffiest Rolls

• RapidRise yeast rises faster—don’t overproof!
• Dough should be soft, slightly sticky—not dry.
• For extra tenderness, replace water with more milk.
• Make ahead: Shape rolls, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next day.

Variations

Garlic Butter Rolls

Brush with garlic butter after baking and sprinkle with parsley.

Honey Dinner Rolls

Add 1–2 tablespoons honey to the dough for a sweeter flavor.

Cheesy Rolls

Sprinkle shredded cheddar or parmesan on top before baking.

Whole Wheat Version

Replace ½ cup flour with whole wheat flour.