Craving warm, fluffy dinner rolls, but don’t have time for a complicated recipe? This easy and delicious 6-ingredient homemade dinner rolls recipe will satisfy your cravings. You will never rebuy store-bought rolls.
Homemade dinner rolls don’t have to be boring.
It’s the everything bagel seasoning that makes this dinner rolls recipe so full of flavor.
Warning: they are so addictive, and you will never want to eat any other kind of dinner roll again.
Originally published on November 20, 2021 at 12:16pm. Click here to see why this recipe was updated.
Ingredients
Here is a quick look at the ingredients for this original recipe. It is to understand why these specific ingredients were chosen. To get the full instructions, go to the recipe card below.
Milk – Milk is great for making a rich dough. I always prefer it over warm water because it gives the dough a better texture. Also, the rolls turn out extra fluffy because of it. You can use whole milk or dairy-free milk like almond milk.
Active dry yeast – I prefer this over Instant yeast because I feel like my rolls rise very well with it. If you are interested in learning more, there is a masterclass on the difference between the two types of yeast.
Sugar – Sugar makes the yeast activate properly, and together, they make these rolls very soft.
Butter – I have used regular butter in this recipe, but you are welcome to use vegan butter instead. Check out my post on why I don’t use vegan/plant-based butters anymore.
All-purpose flour – This flour is the best flour for dinner rolls because it rises well with active dry yeast. If you are GF, you can still enjoy a good bun! Try this super-easy gluten-free slider buns recipe.
Pink Salt – This salt tastes so good, and it also brings 84 minerals with it.
Everything bagel seasoning – This seasoning is truly the star of the recipe. It takes plain old dinner rolls and turns them into super cool rolls! You can make your everything bagel seasoning at home or buy it from (Affiliate Link) Amazon.
If you are confused about vegan and vegetarian ingredients, consult my handy-dandy guide! It will clear things up for you.
📣 Tips and Tricks
- Heating tip: Always heat the milk stove-top, not in the microwave. On the stove top, the milk will heat evenly.
- Measuring tip: If you are using active dry yeast packets, you will need 2 of the packets (1/4 oz per packet). If you are using rapid dry yeast, it amounts to 2 Tbsp.
- Cooking tip: It is vital to let the dough rise for 30 minutes. Also, as soon as you form the dinner rolls, set them aside for another 30 minutes. So, when you finally put the baking dish in the oven, the rolls will rise very well.
- Cookware tip: For best results, use a stoneware baking dish like this (Affiliate Link) 8×8″ baking dish.
Yeast and they shall rise
Many readers have asked me to make yeast-free rolls. I have tried to make a good batch without yeast, but never succeeded.
You can use a combination of baking soda and baking powder to do the work of yeast. Rhian’s Recipes has a vegan, gluten-free version of dinner rolls.
Personally, I love using yeast because it makes very soft dinner rolls.
Answering Common Questions
It is vital to ensure that the yeast and milk mixture is frothy before mixing it with the flour. If the mixture doesn’t froth, discard it and start again. The rise times for the dough will be 30 minutes. Then, let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes before placing them in the oven.
Yes, you can use a mixer. Place the mixture in a bowl of a stand mixer and let the dough hook work its magic. The setting should be medium speed.
The main reason yeast doesn’t froth in the milk is that the milk temperature is not right. The milk needs to be 100°F-110°F. If you don’t own a thermometer, you will need to gauge the temp manually. It should be lukewarm like you are going to feed it to a baby.
Wrap the leftover dinner rolls in parchment paper. Then, place it in a (Affiliate Link) BPA-Free freezer bag and date it.
Can I make it in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make the dinner rolls in the air fryer. Line the basket with parchment paper and arrange each dough ball just like in the baking dish.
Air fryer it at 320°F for 25 Minutes. You may have to experiment with the time depending on your air fryer.
Keep the temperature low because it will cook the rolls from the inside too. High temperatures will burn the top and leave them uncooked on the inside.
I made 25 golf ball-sized dough balls and set one aside to make in the air fryer. This is what it looks like when made in the air fryer! 😆
My baking dish (Affiliate Link) stoneware square 10.24″ baking dish
My air fryer (Affiliate Link) COSORI MAX XL Air Fryer
🔄 Substitutions
- For dairy milk: Use non-dairy milks like unsweetened soy milk, almond milk, hazelnut milk, or oat milk
- For dairy butter: Plant-based butters like Earth Balance or Miyokos.
- For all-purpose flours: bread flour, whole wheat flour, or a combination of these flours.
- For basting: egg wash or almond milk.
- For the toppings: Coconut flakes, parmesan, sesame seeds, herbs, and poppy seeds.
How to make easy dinner rolls
- Heat the milk (unsweetened soy milk or any dairy and non-dairy milk) in a small saucepan. Heat the stove top for 1 minute. Add yeast and sugar to the warm milk.
- Add the dry ingredients (sugar and active dry yeast) to the liquid mixture. Mix well and set aside for 3 minutes
- In a large mixing bowl, add the 4.5 cups of flour. You may have to sift it if it’s clumpy.
- Add the salt. I used pink, but you can use sea salt too.
- Add 8 Tablespoons of softened butter. That’s 1 big stick or 2 mini sticks.
- After 3 min, the yeast starts to froth up. This is what it will look like.
- When the yeast turns frothy, slowly introduce it to the flour. Add it with one hand and mix with the other.
- Knead the dough in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface. Continue kneading until soft and knot-free. It’s okay if the dough is sticky. Optionally, place the dough in a greased bowl (avocado oil).
- Cover with a kitchen towel (or plastic wrap) and set your rise time for 30 minutes. Put the bowl in a warm place. This is the first rise.
- At the 30-minute mark, remove the kitchen towel and give the dough a soft punch. This will deflate the flour. Knead it again for about 30 seconds.
- Make golf ball-sized dough balls and place them in a buttered square baking sheet. They should be equal pieces. Make sure it is a smooth ball. There should be no wrinkles or lines on it.
- I made 25 balls (only 24 are put into the square baking pan. I used one roll to experiment in the air fryer.)
- Cover the dinner rolls with the kitchen towel and again, let them rise for 30 minutes. This is the second rise.
- After the dinner rolls have been rising for 20 minutes, prepare your oven. Make sure you remove any pots and pans from it before turning it on to 350°F
- When there are 2 minutes left for the dough balls to rise, put melted vegan butter in a bowl.
- Add the Everything Bagel seasoning to the melted butter and mix well. Sometimes, I will add extra sesame seeds.
- Remove the kitchen towel and use a brush to baste the top of the dinner rolls with the everything bagel butter. Make sure you get it into every nook and cranny
- The dinner rolls are now ready to be put into the preheated oven. 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown. You can sprinkle additional everything bagel seasoning on the top of the rolls.
- That’s it! These moisture rich dinner rolls are ready to be devoured!
What to eat with dinner rolls
These easy dinner rolls can be paired with many vegan recipes.
- Dunk them in the sauce of this meatball cheese casserole.
- They are a great side for tomato soup, acorn squash soup, or sweet potato soup.
- Slather them with compound butters like garlic basil butter or lemon balm butter. Then, devour them.
Check out some of my favorite Thanksgiving air-fryer recipes, like my air fryer hasselback sweet potatoes
Leftover and storage
Do you know what to do with leftover dinner rolls? I have tried many methods and figured out the best way to store them. To freeze, I wrap the leftovers in parchment paper and put them in a freezer-friendly bag. They will last about 6 months.
Wrap the leftover dinner rolls in parchment paper. Then, place it in a (Affiliate Link) BPA-Free freezer bag and date it.
To reheat, I place the frozen dinner rolls (do not thaw) in a 250°F preheated oven. I heat them for 15 minutes or until they are warm to the touch.
If I am using up the leftovers within 1 week, I put the rolls in an airtight container before putting them in the refrigerator.
Did you have any leftovers?
Sharing is caring
Don’t be shy, chime in below in the comments. Please share your thoughts on this fluffy vegan dinner rolls recipe. If you enjoyed this, please give it 5 stars and share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Best Dinner Rolls with Everything Bagel
Equipment
- Mason Cash | Classic Kitchen Gray 10.24" Square Baking Dish
- Baking Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk whole milk or almond milk
- 1 Tbsp active dry yeast if you are using the small 4oz packets, you will need 2 of them
- ¼ cup sugar I used Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar
- 8 tbsp butter vegan or regular
- 4½ cups All purpose flour I used enriched, bleached all-purpose
- 2 tsp salt I used pink salt, but you can use any
For Basting
- 2 tbsp butter vegan or regular
- 1 Tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Heat the 2 cups of milk stove top for 1 minute. Make sure it’s lukewarm before adding the yeast and sugar
- Add the 1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp active dry yeast. Mix well and set aside for 3 minutes
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour. You may have to sift it if it’s clumpy
- Add the salt. I used pink, but, you can use any salt
- Add 8 Tbsp of butter. That’s 1 big stick or 2 mini sticks. The butter should be softened to room temperature
- After 3 minutes, the yeast starts to froth up.
- When the yeast turns frothy, slowly introduce it to the flour. Add it with one hand and mix with the other
- Knead the dough until it’s soft and there are no knots
- Cover with a tea towel and let it rise on it’s own for 30 minutes
- At the 30 minute mark, remove the tea towel and give the dough a soft punch. This will deflate the flour. Knead it again for about 30 seconds
- Make golf size balls and place in a buttered square baking sheet. Make sure the top is smooth. There should be no wrinkles or lines on it
- I made 25 balls (only 24 are put into the square dish. I used one to make in the air fryer)
- Cover the dinner rolls with the tea towel and again, let it rise for 30 minutes
- After the dinner rolls have been rising for 20 minutes, prepare your oven. Make sure you remove any pots and pans in it before turning it on to 350°F
- When there are 2 minutes left for the dough balls to rise, add melted butter in a bowl.
- Add the Everything Bagel seasoning to the melted butter and mix well
- Remove the tea towel and use a brush to baste the top of the dinner rolls with the everything bagel butter. Make sure you get it into every nook and cranny
- The dinner rolls are now ready to be put into the preheated oven. 350°F for 30 minutes!
- Remove from the oven and wait for them to cool to touch before serving
Notes
- Heat the milk stove top over microwave because it heats evenly.
- I made this recipe twice. Once, it was with vegan dairy products and once with regular dairy products. They both turned out equally well.
- I really urge you to use a stoneware baking dish because it cooks the dinner rolls evenly.
- It’s important to give the dough and rolls 30 minutes each to poof up. It gives the yeast time to work its magic.
- When you make the balls, make sure the top is smooth. I like to gently pull the top of the rolls and tuck the extra underneath.
- These dinner rolls can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. I kept it in the baking dish and covered it with foil.
- To freeze them, wrap them in foil and put them into zip-lock bags. Freeze them and use up within 2 months.
- This recipe makes about 25 vegan dinner rolls.
Nutrition
Version 1
From time to time, I will go through old recipes to update the content. Sometimes, I update just the images, and sometimes, I give the recipe a complete makeover.
This recipe itself is perfect, but the text in the post was seriously messed up. So, I fixed the grammar errors in it, made the text easier to ready, and made the post more interesting.
Click here to see the original recipe.
Homemade rolls are good but with this extra seasoning they are even better. So yummy!
Thank you. I am always looking to make recipes at home over buying them. This way, I can add my favorite ingredients
These dinner rolls sound amazing! I love the addition of everything bagel seasoning.
Thank you, Andrea.
The perfect way to make a soft and fluffy dinner roll even better- everything seasoning! These were a total hit!
Thank you, Gina
Enjoyed these with dinner last night and they turned out perfectly light, fluffy and delicious! Easily, a new favorite roll recipe!
Thank you, Sara
Love dinner rolls but of course, always made mines with eggs, milk, butter and sometimes even lard. But since I’m looking also vegan options for my fav recipes, this recipe is just perfect too! 👍🏻
Thank you, Maricruz