These quick dinner rolls bring soft, fluffy bread to the table in about an hour, using everyday ingredients and two short rises. The dough is enriched with an egg and avocado oil, shaped into 15 rolls, brushed with milk, and baked until golden. Finish the warm tops with melted butter for a tender crust that belongs beside soup, Roast Chicken, holiday dinner, or any meal that needs something fresh from the oven.
What makes these quick dinner rolls special?
The recipe balances a lightly sweet dough with enough fat for a soft crumb without requiring an overnight rise. Warm water wakes up the active dry yeast, while the egg and oil keep the rolls supple. The dough should remain a little sticky at first; add flour gradually until it pulls away from the bowl, because too much flour can make the finished rolls heavy.
Why this recipe works
Two brief rises give the yeast time to create lift while keeping the schedule practical. The first rise develops volume in the dough. The second happens after shaping, so the rolls bake together in a 9-by-13-inch dish and stay tender at the sides. A final milk brushing encourages even browning, and melted butter after baking adds a glossy, savory finish.
How to make quick dinner rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water, about 110°F
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, adding up to 2/3 cup as needed
- 2 tablespoons milk, for brushing
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, for finishing
Method
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water, yeast, and sugar and mix to combine. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast mixture starts to get bubbly.
- Add the oil, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix, then add 2 cups of flour and begin to mix using the dough hook attachment. At this point, the dough will be very sticky.
- Continue to add up to 2/3 cup flour to the dough, until the dough starts to pull away from the edges of the bowl as you mix. Once you have added all of the flour, mix on low speed for about 2 minutes to knead. Turn the mixer off, cover the bowl loosely with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise until light and puffy, or about 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking oil.
- Transfer the dough from the bowl onto a flat surface and divide into 15 equal pieces. Roll into balls and place into the prepared baking dish, spacing them out evenly.
- Cover loosely again and let the dough sit in a warm place for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are about double the original size. Once risen, remove the towel and brush the rolls lightly with milk.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the internal temperature reads 190 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes, then brush the tops with melted butter. Enjoy!
Serving ideas
Serve these rolls warm with a bowl of soup, chili, roast chicken, or a holiday plate. They are also useful for small sandwiches: let them cool fully, split them carefully, and fill them with sliced turkey, leftover chicken, or Egg Salad. Set out softened butter, honey, or fruit preserves so the lightly sweet crumb can work at breakfast as well as dinner.
Tips and an optional variation
Tip: Use a thermometer for the water if you can. It should feel warm, not hot; water around 110°F helps the yeast activate without weakening it. If the dough is sticky, flour your hands lightly rather than adding a large amount of flour all at once.
Optional variation: For herbed rolls, add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning to the flour. This changes the flavor but not the mixing, rising, shaping, or baking method.
Working with the dough
Resist the urge to judge the dough before the extra flour has been incorporated. Start with the two cups called for in the method, then add the remaining flour a little at a time. Flour absorbs moisture differently from one kitchen to another, so the finished dough may need the full amount or slightly less. The useful visual cue is that the dough begins to pull from the bowl while staying soft enough to expand.
When dividing the dough, aim for similar-sized pieces so they finish baking together. A kitchen scale makes this simple, but you can also divide the dough in half, then into quarters, and portion the remaining pieces by sight. Tuck the edges underneath each piece as you roll it into a smooth ball; this creates a taut surface that rises evenly.
Doneness and texture cues
The first rise is ready when the dough looks lighter and puffy rather than when it must reach a precise size. A cool room may lengthen the rise, while a warm kitchen may shorten it. During the second rise, the shaped rolls should look noticeably fuller and begin touching. If they are still dense and widely separated, give them a few more minutes before brushing with milk.
The milk coating helps the tops color, but the internal temperature is the clearest check. Aim for 190°F in the center of a roll. Letting the rolls cool for one or two minutes before brushing with butter keeps the finish glossy without making the crust soggy.
Plan the meal around the rolls
Because the dough needs two short rests, begin it while the oven preheats or while a soup simmers. The rolls can bake during the final table-setting minutes and arrive warm with very little last-minute work. Their mild flavor pairs with savory gravy, roasted vegetables, creamy soup, or a simple salad, and the 15-roll yield is convenient for a family dinner.
Storage and reheating
Cool the rolls completely, then store them airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap them well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until soft and heated through. Avoid overheating, which can dry the crumb.
FAQ: quick dinner rolls
How long do quick dinner rolls take?
Plan on about 60 minutes total, including the two short rises and 12 to 15 minutes of baking.
Can the dough be mixed without a stand mixer?
Yes. Stir with a sturdy spoon, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
How do I know the rolls are done?
Look for golden tops and a center temperature of 190°F. The rolls should also feel set and sound lightly hollow when tapped.
Fresh from the oven, these quick dinner rolls have a tender center, a lightly browned top, and enough buttery flavor to make a simple meal feel complete.
Quick Dinner Rolls: Soft 1-Hour Yeast Rolls
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup water warm, about 110°F
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour use up to 2/3 cup as needed while mixing
- 2 tablespoons milk for brushing
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, for brushing after baking
Instructions
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the warm water, yeast, and sugar and mix to combine. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast mixture starts to get bubbly.
- Add the oil, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix, then add 2 cups of flour and begin to mix using the dough hook attachment. At this point, the dough will be very sticky.
- Continue to add up to 2/3 cup flour to the dough, until the dough starts to pull away from the edges of the bowl as you mix. Once you have added all of the flour, mix on low speed for about 2 minutes to knead. Turn the mixer off, cover the bowl loosely with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise until light and puffy, or about 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking oil.
- Transfer the dough from the bowl onto a flat surface and divide into 15 equal pieces. Roll into balls and place into the prepared baking dish, spacing them out evenly.
- Cover loosely again and let the dough sit in a warm place for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are about double the original size. Once risen, remove the towel and brush the rolls lightly with milk.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top and the internal temperature reads 190 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes, then brush the tops with melted butter. Enjoy!
