Easy No Knead Rolls are my holiday holy grail for soft and sweet rolls. They deliver all the comfort of fresh-baked rolls without the fuss of kneading or complicated steps. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just craving something warm and buttery, these rolls rise to the occasion with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
There is nothing like warm comforting rolls and creamy butter. If you want to try some great recipes check out my Red Lobster Copycat Biscuits and my Creamy Homemade Butter.
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Why this No-Knead Dinner Rolls Recipe is a Keeper
This No Knead Rolls recipe is pure holiday comfort. They’re crusty on the outside, yet super soft inside.
- Ease of Preparation: The “no-knead” method significantly cuts down on active prep time and effort, making homemade rolls accessible to even novice bakers.
- Minimal Equipment: It often doesn’t require a stand mixer or specialized dough hook, just a large bowl and a spoon or spatula.
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: Despite the minimal effort, the rolls turn out incredibly tender, soft, and buttery.
- Make-Ahead Potential: The dough can often be prepared and refrigerated for later, offering flexibility for your No Knead Rolls.
How Do I Know if My Yeast is Active for this Bread Recipe?
You can always do a proofing test to see if your yeast is alive. Mix some warm water with some sugar and add in the yeast. If you see bubbles, it’s active. If there are no bubbles, your yeast is dead and won’t work.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“These no knead dinner rolls were so much less intimidating. And they turned out great. Light and fully!”
~ Scarlet
Ingredient Notes for No Knead Rolls
This easy no knead bread recipe uses only a few simple ingredients you might already have, or can grab in one quick trip to the store.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Flour: Make these rolls with bread flour instead of all-purpose flour to make my no-knead bread rolls. The flour will ensure you have soft and fluffy dinner rolls.
- Instant Yeast: You will need instant yeast instead of active dry yeast, as it doesn’t require being activated before use. The yeast is what will make your rolls rise.
- Honey: Use your favorite kind of honey to make the honey glaze for in top of the crusty bread rolls.
Variations and Substitutions for Bread Dough
This best no-knead dinner rolls recipe is so easy to change up. I like to make different varieties to switch it up.
- Liquid: Some recipes use water for a lighter texture; others use milk (whole or low-fat) for a richer, softer roll.
- Flavor Boosters: Mix melted butter with garlic powder or finely minced fresh garlic for brushing on after baking.
- Herbs: Mix dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or Italian blend) into the dough or the melted butter topping.
- Cheese: Add shredded cheese (cheddar, Parmesan) when shaping the rolls.
- Sweet Rolls: Increase the sugar slightly and add a touch of cinnamon or vanilla. Instead of plain butter, brush with a honey-butter glaze (melted butter and honey) after baking.
Special Equipment Needed for the Best Dinner Rolls
Sometimes the easiest recipe can be made much faster when using the right piece of kitchen equipment.
- Dough Scraper (or Strong Spatula): Helpful for dividing the sticky yeast dough and folding it over before shaping.
How to Make Dinner Rolls
This easy and delicious recipe takes just a little effort but the results are well worth it. You’ll be surprised with how easy it is to have fresh rolls that are perfectly soft on the inside. Give the rolls a shot.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and eggs. In another bowl mix the milk and melted butter. Use a rubber spatula to fold the wet ingredients into the dry bowl, scraping the sides.
- Let the Rolls Rise: Lightly flour your hands, and gently fold the edges towards the middle until a ball forms. Lightly grease a new mixing bowl, and lay the dough ball seam-side down inside. Cover and let it rise until doubles in size.
- Divide Dough: When ready, transfer dough ball to a lightly floured counter. Divide the ball into 8 smaller pieces. Lightly press one ball into the counter and form the rolls into smooth balls. Place the shaped dough balls, seam-side down, into a greased cast iron skillet. Cover, and let rise again.
- Brush Egg Wash & Bake: Whisk together an egg and some milk. Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash, and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes, then remove from skillet.
- Make Honey Butter: Combine the honey and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Brush the rolls with the honey glaze, then let cool for another hour before serving.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Easy Bread Recipe
Prepping the artisan rolls ahead of time can really help to save time and kitchen space if hosting a dinner party. You will be so happy you found the recipe.
- Overnight Cold Proof: Many no-knead roll recipes can be made ahead. After the initial mix, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough overnight (8-24 hours). The slow dough rise develops flavor. You would then shape and continue to rise for the second rise (which might take longer coming from the cold) before baking.
- Partially Baked and Frozen: Soft dinner rolls can be baked until just set (not browned), cooled, and frozen. When yeast rolls come out of the oven, let them cool before packing them away. Reheat/finish baking from frozen when needed.
Alternate Cooking Methods for No Knead Crusty Rolls
The best dinner rolls are best in the oven, but you can switch it up by making them in the air fryer or on the stove. You can make the rolls in these two ways.
- Air Fryer: Individual or a small batch of large rolls can sometimes be baked in an air fryer with adjusted lower temperature and time (experimental and recipe-specific).
- Skillet Rolls: Yeast Rolls can be baked in a cast-iron skillet for a slightly crispier bottom and crust to the smaller rolls.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover No Knead Bread Rolls
- Store: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave briefly (10-15 seconds) for a quick warm-up.
- Oven: Place rolls on a baking sheet or dutch oven and cover loosely with foil. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and warm for 5-10 minutes.
- Use Leftovers: Make rolls into small sandwiches or mini-burgers by slicing them in half. Use stale rolls as the base for a bread pudding. You can also cube up and bake for crispy croutons.
Questions About This Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe
The best temperature for the milk is room temperature. Anything that’s too hot will kill the yeast, resulting in a dough that won’t rise.
If your dough is super sticky, you probably need to add in some more flour. Be sure to add a little at a time and mix in between.
Expert Tips for Making this No Knead Quick Recipe
My family loves this recipe for no-knead crusty rolls. I have followed the recipe for years. Here are some tips to make this recipe perfect.
- Proofing Environment: A warm, draft-free spot is ideal for the first rise and second. A common trick is to turn the oven on low for a few minutes, then turn off and place the covered bowl inside.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Use the “spoon and sweep” method or a kitchen scale to avoid adding too much flour, which can make the yeast rolls dense.
- Shaping Technique: When forming the balls, the goal is to create surface tension. Pinch the dough underneath and then gently roll on the counter with the seam side down for a smooth top.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until just golden brown to ensure they remain soft and moist inside.
- Rising: Let classic dinner rolls rise in a warm spot in your kitchen. It’s best to let the best rolls rise at room temperature, rather than adding heat.
- Serve With: Serve delicious rolls fresh from the oven with Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce, Apple and Sausage Dressing or Christmas Sangria.
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Easy No Knead Rolls
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Ingredients
Dough
- 1 pound Bread flour
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Instant yeast
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 large Eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups Whole milk, room temperature
Egg Wash
- 1 Large Egg, beaten
- 1 Tablespoon Whole milk
Honey Glaze
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Dough
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a large mixing bowl. Combine flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and eggs.
- In another small mixing bowl, combine milk and melted butter. Make sure the temperatures of both butter and milk are at room temperature or the mixture will immediately solidify.
- Using a rubber or wooden spatula, gently fold milk mixture into flour mixture.
- Scrape flour from the sides and bottom of the bowl and mix until the dough comes together and there is no flour left.
- Use your hands (lightly floured), spatula or plastic bowl scraper to gently fold the edges of the dough toward the middle, a few times, until a smooth ball formed.
- Flip the dough seam side down. Carefully transfer it to a clean, lightly greased mixing bowl to proof.
- Cover mixing bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1½ to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. Don't rush this process, the dough needs time to reach its sufficient rise.
- When the dough is ready, carefully transfer it to a lightly-floured counter.
- Divide the dough into 4 ounce balls, approximately 8 balls.
- Work with 1 small dough ball at a time while covering the remaining dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel.
- Flour your hands and lightly press the dough to the surface. Then pick up the edges and fold them toward the center until a ball shape is formed.
- Flip the ball seam side down and use 1 hand or both of your hands to drag in small circles until the dough is perfectly round and smooth.
- Transfer the shaped dough on a lightly greased 10 inch cast iron skillet, seam side down.
- Repeat with remaining dough balls.
- Arrange the rolls nicely on the skillet and lightly cover with plastic. Let them rise for an hour or doubled in size (don’t let them rise above the rim of the skillet).
Egg Wash
- Prepare the egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk.
- Gently brush dinner rolls with egg wash and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the skillet half way. Dinner rolls should have a deep golden brown crust.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool in the skillet for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Then remove them from the skillet and put on a clean surface.
Honey Glaze
- While rolls are cooling, prepare the honey mixture by combining honey and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
- Lightly brush the rolls with honey mixture and allow to cool completely, approximately one hour, before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Cinnamon Honey Butter: Serve these rolls with this delicious cinnamon honey butter for an extra treat for the bread rolls.
- More Uses: Don’t limit yourself to dinner buns. This dough is versatile and great for making pizza and focaccia too.
- Oven Thermometer: Invest in an oven thermometer to ensure your oven cooks at the correct temperature for perfect results when you make these rolls.
- Yeast: Use fresh yeast when you make the dough. This will help you make the best recipe for homemade rolls. Bad yeast may take the rolls longer to rise or may not rise at all.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
They’re a new favorite! They’re now my go-to for fresh, homemade bread without the hassle!
These no knead dinner rolls were so much less intimidating. And they turned out great. Light and fully!
This is very delicious! Thanks for sharing this dinner rolls recipe! very easy and tasty!
These remind me of the ones that my grandma use to make for Sunday supper. Thank you for sharing it!