Craving warm, buttery, homemade bread with your meal but have absolutely no time? These 30-Minute Dinner Rolls are your new secret weapon. Forget waiting hours for dough to rise; this recipe delivers incredibly soft, fluffy, and golden-brown rolls from mixing bowl to dinner table in just half an hour. They are the perfect last-minute addition to any meal, guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
This recipe is designed for busy weeknights and special occasions alike. Whether you’re rounding out a Sunday supper or need something to sop up the sauce from your favorite pasta dish, these quick dinner rolls are the answer. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This 30-Minute Dinner Roll Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: The name doesn’t lie! A special technique with instant yeast gets these rolls rising and baking in record time.
- Beginner-Friendly: The steps are simple and straightforward. You don’t need a stand mixer or any special bread-making experience to achieve perfect results.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything you need in your pantry and refrigerator right now. No fancy flours or complicated additions.
- Unbeatably Soft & Fluffy: Despite the speed, these rolls have a wonderfully tender crumb and a rich, buttery flavor that tastes like they took hours to make.
The Key Ingredients for Fast & Fluffy Rolls
The magic of these quick yeast rolls lies in using simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Warm Water & Milk: Using a combination of water and milk provides the perfect balance of moisture for a soft crumb and richness for flavor. The liquid must be warm (around 110-115°F) to activate the yeast quickly.
- Instant Yeast: This is the star of the show. Instant yeast (also called rapid-rise yeast) works much faster than active dry yeast, which is crucial for a 30-minute recipe.
- Granulated Sugar: A little sugar feeds the yeast, helping it activate quickly, and adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
- Melted Butter: Butter adds incredible flavor, richness, and tenderness to the rolls.
- Egg: One egg enriches the dough, contributing to a softer texture and golden color.
- All-Purpose Flour: Simple all-purpose flour provides the perfect structure for these soft rolls.
- Salt: Salt is essential for flavor and for controlling the yeast’s activity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the best homemade bread rolls in no time.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Give it a gentle whisk and let it sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll see the mixture become foamy or bubbly – that means your yeast is alive and ready to go!
Step 2: Mix the Dough
To the yeast mixture, whisk in the melted butter and the egg until well combined. Add the flour and salt, and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Don’t overmix; just combine until you no longer see dry streaks of flour.
Step 3: Shape and Rise
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for just 1-2 minutes until it comes together smoothly. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rest in a warm spot for 10-15 minutes. This is a quick rise, but it’s all they need!
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) while the rolls are rising. Once risen, you can brush the tops with a little melted butter for an extra golden and soft crust. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown. Serve them warm!
Pro Tips for Perfect 30-Minute Dinner Rolls
- Check Your Yeast: Ensure your instant yeast is fresh. Expired yeast is the most common reason for rolls that don’t rise.
- Don’t Over-Knead: This is a quick dough that doesn’t require the extensive kneading of traditional bread. Just a minute or two is plenty.
- Find a Warm Spot: To help your rolls rise quickly, place the pan on top of your preheating oven or in another draft-free, warm area of your kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
These versatile rolls are the perfect companion to countless meals. They are a must-have alongside a holiday centerpiece like this easy spatchcock turkey recipe. For a comforting weeknight dinner, serve them with hearty dishes like my famous creamy crockpot mac and cheese or these delicious maple dijon chicken bowls. They’re perfect for soaking up every last bit of goodness!
How to Store and Reheat Homemade Rolls
Store any leftover dinner rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, simply wrap them in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. You can bake them a day in advance and store them in an airtight container. To serve, simply warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
You can, but it will take longer than 30 minutes. To use active dry yeast, you’ll need to let it bloom in the warm liquid for a full 10 minutes. The dough will also require a longer rising time, typically 30-45 minutes, before baking.
The rolls are done when they are a deep golden brown on top and sound hollow when you tap them. You can also check with an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should be between 190-200°F (88-93°C).
Store leftover rolls in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as it can cause them to go stale faster.
The most common reason is that the yeast was no longer active. Always check the expiration date. Another possibility is that your milk or water was too hot, which can kill the yeast. Make sure the liquid is warm to the touch, not hot (around 110-115°F).
The Easiest 30-Minute Dinner Rolls Recipe
30-Minute Dinner Rolls (Soft, Fluffy, & Unbelievably Easy)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Whisk gently and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Whisk the melted butter and egg into the yeast mixture.
- Add the flour and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth ball.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for 10-15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Optional: Brush the tops of the rolls with additional melted butter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Serve warm.
Notes
Ensure your liquids are warm, not hot. Water or milk that is too hot can kill the yeast.
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