Best Homemade Bread Machine Dinner Rolls recipe

Nothing beats the smell of homemade dinner rolls baking, and this simple bread maker recipe makes it effortless. These bread machine dinner rolls were truly the best rolls I’ve ever made — unbelievably soft and fluffy, just like bakery-style all without eggs!

It’s a foolproof way to make fresh rolls that turn out perfect every time, whether for Thanksgiving dinners or cozy weeknight meals.

🍞 Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Making bread machine dinner rolls is as easy as it gets — simply add all the ingredients to your bread machine pan, and let the bread maker handle the kneading and first rise for you.

Once the dough is ready, all that’s left is to shape the rolls, let them rise again, and bake to golden perfection.

The dough turns out so soft and smooth, you’re almost guaranteed to get light, fluffy rolls every time — even if you’re a beginner!

👉 Don’t have a bread machine? Try our classic dinner rolls recipe that can be kneaded by hand or in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook — just as delicious and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Add to your bread machine pan in this order (unless your machine manual says otherwise):

• Milk – 1 cup (250ml), lukewarm
• Melted butter – 2 tablespoons
• Granulated sugar – 3 tablespoons
• Salt – 1 teaspoon
• Bread flour – 3 cups (360g)
• Instant yeast – 2 teaspoons (about 8g)

📌 Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast to it, keeping it separate from the liquid.

Ingredient Notes

Bread Flour:
Use strong bread flour for light and fluffy rolls with a good structure. It has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps the dough rise better and creates a soft yet chewy interior.
👉 You can also use all-purpose flour — the rolls will still be soft, just slightly less elastic in texture.

Instant Yeast / Bread Machine Yeast:
This recipe uses instant yeast, which can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients — no need to proof.
You can also use bread machine yeast, a type of instant yeast specially formulated for bread makers. Both work great and give a quick, reliable rise, producing soft, fluffy rolls every time. 

Active dry yeast can also be used, but you’ll need to activate it first. Dissolve the yeast in warm milk (or water) with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy, then add it to the machine along with the other ingredients.

While this method works well, I recommend sticking to instant or bread machine yeast for the easiest and most consistent results in a bread machine.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add Ingredients to the Bread Machine

Pour the following into your bread machine pan, in the correct order (images. 1 and 2):

• Milk
• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Salt

Then add:

• Bread flour
• Instant yeast (in a small well on top)

📌 Tip: Always follow the ingredient order listed in your bread machine’s manual, as some may differ. Make a small well in the flour and add the yeast to it, keeping it separate from the liquid. 

2. Bread Machine Settings

• Program: Select the Dough cycle (not Basic or Bake).
• Press Start — the machine will mix, knead, and rise the dough (usually takes about 1.5 hours).

3. Shape the Dinner Rolls

Once the dough cycle ends:

• Remove the dough from the pan and place it on a lightly floured surface.
• Divide into 12 equal portions (about 65–70g each).

Shape each dough into a smooth ball. Cover with a tea towel during shaping if the dough starts to dry. Pinch the seam underneath and place the smooth side up for prettier rolls. 

4. Second Rise (Final Proofing)

• Arrange the shaped rolls in a greased baking sheet (9x13-inch baking pan), slightly spaced apart.
• Cover with a towel and place in a warm environment for a final rise of 30–45 minutes (images 5 and 6).

📌 For a slow rise, you can let the shaped rolls proof in the fridge overnight and bake the next day. This method enhances flavor and fits into busy schedules.

5. Bake the Rolls

• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
• Remove from oven and brush immediately with melted butter for a soft, shiny finish (image 7).

6. Cool and Serve

• Let the rolls cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
• Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely — or serve warm if you can’t wait!

I promise this soft dinner rolls recipe are soon going to become your family favorite. 

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature:
Store homemade rolls in an airtight container or bread bag for up to 2–3 days. Avoid refrigerating — it can dry them out faster.

Freezing:
Once cooled, wrap rolls in aluminum foil, then place in a zip lock bag or freezer bag  and freeze for up to 1 month.. These freeze beautifully and are perfect for prepping dough ahead of time for holidays or meal plans.

Reheating:
Thaw at room temperature or microwave rolls for 10–15 seconds.
You can also refresh them in the oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5–7 minutes.

Best Tips

• Add ingredients in the correct order: Most machines require liquids first, then dry ingredients, with the yeast added last in a small well on top of the flour. This helps prevent early activation, especially if using a delay timer.
• Use warm (not hot) milk: Milk should feel warm to the touch — hot liquid can kill the yeast.
• Check dough consistency: Open the machine lid about 5–7 minutes into kneading to check. The dough should be soft, smooth, and slightly tacky. Add more flour or milk if needed.
• Don’t skip the second rise: Shaped rolls need time to proof again before baking for the best fluffy texture.
• Brush with melted butter: Right after baking, butter helps keep the tops soft and adds beautiful shine.
• Let them cool slightly before serving: Cooling for 5–10 minutes helps the inside set and avoids a gummy texture.
• Freeze and reheat: These rolls are freezer-friendly — just thaw and warm them for fresh-baked taste anytime.
• You can also use this dough base to make other favorite recipes like pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, or hamburger buns!

Related Recipes

1. Bread Machine Whole Wheat Bread
2. Japanese Milk Bread in Bread Machine
3. Bread Machine White Bread recipe

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