Introduction: Soft Buttery No-Knead Dinner Rolls
In this instructable, I will show you how to make soft buttery dinner rolls. This Amazing Dinner Roll recipe is really easy to make and we don't use a mixer or knead the dough! I love homemade dinner rolls around the holidays. Especially the smell. And then when you leave your house and come back after an hour or two, you get blasted with the smell of homemade rolls....mmm. If I can make them you can make them, let's get baking! :)
Don't forget to follow me and check out my other instructables.
If you have any questions or comments leave them down below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial, or better yet do both! :)
Step 1: Ingredients/Tools
Print the recipe here if you like.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, etc.)
- 1/4 cup water (filtered)
- 1/2 tsp. of sugar, white granulated (for the yeast)
- 2 1/4 tsp. of active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup of oil (vegetable, olive, etc.)
- 1/4 cup of sugar, white granulated
- 1 tsp. of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 to 5 cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour (Closer to 4)
- melted butter for basting
Tools:
- bowls
- whisk
- wooden spoon
- damp cloth or plastic wrap
- pizza cutter or knife
- basting brush
- sheet pans
The above links are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Step 2: Prep the Yeast
First we want to start our yeast. Add your water to the milk, along with the 1/2 tsp. of sugar. The sugar is food for the yeast. It is probably not needed since there are sugars in the milk but I always add it. :) Now heat up the liquid until it is 105 F to 115 F. Until it is like a hot bath temperature. Now add in your yeast and agitate it a bit with a fork or whisk, then let it sit for 10 minutes until it gets foamy/frothy. If after 10 minutes it isn't foamy or frothy, start again. Either your liquid was too hot or too cold, or the yeast is old/bad.
Step 3: Sugar, Oil, and Eggs
Next in a large bowl let's add in the oil and our 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar, or if you would like the rolls to be sweeter, add in 1/2 cup of sugar. Then add the eggs and whisk to combine them all.
Step 4: Combine and Stir
Now let's combine our yeast mixture with our egg mixture and whisk that together. Next add in about a cup of flour, and stir it together with a wooden spoon. Then add in another cup, before you stir that in, add in your salt on top of the flour, then mix that in. Next continue adding and mixing in flour until the dough comes together and peels away from the walls of the bowl. DON'T just dump in all the flour at once :). Chances are you will only wind up using 4 to 4.5 cups of the flour. We want the dough to be a little sticky.
Step 5: Let It Rise
Now place the dough in a large greased bowl (I just used a bit of olive oil), then cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and set it in a warm place in your house and let it rise. Let it rise for 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.
Step 6: Roll and Baste
Now take the dough and break it apart into two large dough balls. Then roll them out into a circle, kind of like if you were making a pizza. Next baste the top with melted butter, mmmm butter....haha.
Step 7: Cut, Roll, Place
Now we cut the dough with a pizza roller or knife until we get several wedges. Then roll in from starting with the wide side, next you can bring the points in to from a crescent shape if you want, or just leave as is. Alternatively, you can just cut the dough into several small pieces and roll them up into balls, but this is more fun, and they look cooler. :) Place them on a greased sheet pan or use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Don't over crowd them, they will rise again. However if you don't mind them touching each other that is totally fine.
Step 8: Cover and Rise
Now let's cover them again with plastic wrap or a damp towel, then let them rise for another 2 hours, or until doubled in size. Lots of rising time, but not a ton of active time. :) Once the rolls have risen, let's bake them in a preheated oven at 375 F (190 C) for 13 to 18 minutes. In my oven 14 minutes is usually the perfect amount. Every oven is different, so start with a low number and check them. When they are golden brown on top, and a bit springing when touched, they are ready to go.
Step 9: Baste and Serve
Now baste the tops with butter and serve them up. So soft, so buttery, so delicious. :) Enjoy!
Step 10: Video Tutorial
Now check out those steps in action by watching the video tutorial. :)

Runner Up in the
Baking Challenge
1 Person Made This Project!
- CraftersAndMothers made it!
26 Comments
3 years ago
Made this recipe at Christmas for first time. I have baked bread and buns for 25 years, these are the best ever. I have made them two more times since. It is only January 9th. Definitely a big hit in our house.
Reply 3 years ago
So glad you made them and liked them! :) :)
Question 3 years ago
Sorry meant that to be a question: Can you use bread machine yeast instead?
Answer 3 years ago
I actually don't have much experience with bread machines, haha. I am assuming bread machine yeast will be fine. I would still start the yeast first like I do here. At any rate, it will be a good experiment. :) :)
Reply 3 years ago
Bread machine yeast is instant yeast. You can use it in any recipe that uses yeast by making a couple of changes. Use the same measurement called for in the recipe, do not hydrate the instant yeast. Salt restricts yeast's activity; so add the salt with the second addition of flour, blend the yeast into the first measure of flour. The rise time may be quicker be careful not to over rise the dough, check dough after 60-90 minute rise to see if it has doubled in volume. I hope this helps.
3 years ago on Step 2
In Step 2, it says, "there is sugars in the milk". The correct way to write it would be using "are" instead of "is" since "sugars" is plural. Minor mistake. Sorry for being a nerd.
Reply 3 years ago
LOL thanks grammar nazi. You are focusing on the wrong things, just try out the recipe and don't worry about the grammar. ;-) lol But thanks for pointing it out.
Reply 3 years ago
I can't not worry about grammar, but I'll make an exception right now. Is it possible to fill the rolls with cheese or meat?
Reply 3 years ago
hahaha :). Sure you can fill the rolls with cheese or meat, like after you bake them you mean? Or are you wanting to put cheese and meat in with them, and then bake them all together? I am haven't experimented with that yet, but I don't see why not.
Reply 3 years ago
I mean before baking them. Like, cutting out slices of cheese or meat and laying it on the triangle, then rolling it up with the cheese or meat inside.
Reply 3 years ago
Sure you certainly could with the cheese, I think, although I haven't done it yet. The meat would depend, if it were me trying it out, I would make sure the meat was mostly cooked if not all the way cooked. Breads usually don't get as hot on the inside as they do on the outside, if that makes sense? A fun experiment regardless. If you try it out let me know how it turns out! :)
Reply 3 years ago
Will do!
3 years ago on Step 10
Looks like a good roll@
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you Kathy!! :)
3 years ago
look delicious!
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you!!
Question 3 years ago on Introduction
Can these be frozen?
Answer 3 years ago
Hi Susan! Sure I don't see why not. :)
3 years ago
They look delicious! Wish I could eat those!
Reply 3 years ago
Well thank you Holly! You can eat them, just need to make them. ;) Unless of course you are gluten intolerant.