These Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls are my grandma's yeast or crusty bread roll recipe, and the best super soft, light, dinner rolls ever!

Soft Dinner Rolls

The smell of fresh bread still reminds me of my grandmother, even after all these years, this recipe for my grandmother's Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls is so easy!

Perfect for those moments when you need or want to smell fresh bread baking! If you want to learn how to make soft buns at home then this recipe is perfect for you.

I make My Grandmother's Rolls every chance I get! Any excuse will do! I just love the crust, not too hard, not too chewy! Just right.

The inside of My Grandmother's Rolls are so soft, absolutely delicious, especially right out of the oven with some butter! Oh my goodness are they wonderful! There is something about fresh bread that gets me every time.

When I have time, these are my buns of choice! These fluffy rolls are definitely easy to make but they do take some time to rise here and there.

On those days when I need something fast and fabulous I use this recipe for Brazilian Cheese Bread. They are so good and addictive, and are gluten free, which is an added bonus. Most importantly though, they include garlic and cheese. Two of my favorite things!

Easy Yeast Rolls for Beginners and Experts

This wonderful recipe will show you how to make fluffy buns with yeast in your own home. No need to be intimidated. If you are a beginner crusty bun maker, and are nervous or never have worked with yeast, this is the perfect recipe for you to try.

If you have lots of experience or are an expert baker you will appreciate how easy this recipe really is. Not only do the ingredients come together in a simple way. This recipe is fast and fabulous.

Some homemade recipes that use yeast take a very long time to make. All things considered this recipe is terrific, less than 2 hours from start to finish. The first time you make it.

After you try the recipe for the first time and become comfortable with it, your time should decrease to about ninety minutes.

This super soft dinner rolls recipe is definitely an oldie and a goodie.

Grandma's Homemade Yeast Rolls

First, I need to mention some things about yeast. Especially for those of you who are not comfortable baking with it.

Yeast can be labeled as cake, active dry and rapid rise, or instant. Here is the difference.

Yeast is a living organism that is grown in liquid, where it feeds on sugar and starch.

Fresh active yeast or cake yeast is yeast that looks like crumbly cake. It has a very short shelf life, of a week or even less, and must be refrigerated. That is why it is not an obvious choice for most home cooks.

I have never used it or even seen it myself.

Active dry yeast and rapid-rise or instant yeast have been dehydrated and have much longer shelf lives, up to six months if unopened (keep an eye out for the expiry date though) and technically do not require refrigeration.

Active dry yeast must be activated, or proofed, in warm liquid, usually water, before using.

Rapid-rise or instant yeast can be added directly to other ingredients or dough and does not require proofing. This yeast is the first choice to use in breads and baked goods.

Yeast and Temperature

Adding water above 120 degrees will kill yeast, likely ruin whatever you are making and will prohibit it rising. To be safe, use above room temperature water or really warm water to let yeast do what it is supposed to.

Substituting rapid-rise or instant yeast and active dry yeast with each other

Just so we are all in the same page, a packet of active dry or instant yeast contains about 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast.

1 teaspoon active dry yeast is equal to ¾ of a teaspoon rapid-rise or instant yeast OR use 25 percent more active dry yeast.

So, if the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of instant or rapid-rise yeast, use 1 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast and dissolve it in a portion of the recipe’s liquid that’s been heated to about but no more than 110 degrees.

if the recipe calls for 1 packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast, use 1 ¾ teaspoons of instant yeast. You do not need to prove the yeast, just add it right into the dry ingredients.

Isn't that great?! Well I think so.

The Importance of Kneading

To achieve the proper texture of a loaf of bread, bun or roll, it must be physically manipulated or kneaded. This is when gluten forms in the bread.

You likely won't find fresh or cake yeast at your local market but it must be used within a week and refrigerated at all times.

Active dry yeast and rapid-rise or instant yeast are better stored in a cool, dry place like a pantry, refrigerator, or, better yet, the freezer for up to 2 years.

Anything higher than 120 degrees will kill yeast, so avoid storing it in hot temperatures.

Crusty Bread Rolls

There is nothing like a fresh crusty bread roll to start your day. The smell of the soft dinner rolls baking. What an amazing way to wake up. Actually an incredible smell at any time of day.

My husband used to love smelling these easy fluffy dinner rolls as he arrived home, after work, before dinner. Again there is just something about how the house smells.

It makes you feel like you're home.

For both my husband and myself the smell of fresh bread reminds us of staying with or being with our grandparents. All of our grandparents made their own fresh bread and super soft dinner rolls.

This particular recipe was my grandmother's for the record but my husband says they taste basically the same.

This is the recipe I always use to make crusty bread rolls whenever the need arises. Once you try it, you definitely will too.

Fluffy Dinner Rolls

I used to drive my grandmother crazy asking her to make her fluffy dinner rolls. Now, I keep thinking, fluffy? You couldn't think of a better word to describe them than that?!

I remember being quite young though so I guess I can forgive myself! LOL

The reality is that these soft dinner rolls are super light, airy and totally fluffy, just like a cloud.

My son still calls them fluffy to this very day.

As expected, my husband thinks the name doesn't matter because these are the only dinner rolls that we make and we all know what we are talking about.

Best Ever Light and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

I've tried other buns that claim to be light and fluffy but was sadly disappointed. That's why I'm so happy to be sharing with you this recipe. As I've said before, they're easy to make, great for both beginners and experts and something I think you'll quite enjoy making.

I've been told also by other bloggers who have their own bun recipes that they secretly prefer mine. Talk about an ego booster there. They say that there's just something about the airy fluffiness that is just the best. I'd mention names, but would prefer to avoid a scandal ?.

Now, I don't let that go to my head because I always give credit where credit is due and my grandmother will always be near and dear to my heart. I'm sure she's happy that so many people enjoy her buns.

Best Homemade Rolls

The great thing about my grandma's homemade yeast rolls is that you can shape them into whatever you like. Let your mind get creative and step outside of the box.

When I was younger, my friends and I used to roll out the dough into a rope and tie it in the middle. We called them Wart Buns because the middle bumped up to look like a wart.....oh the crazy things we used to think of!

When Patrick was growing up, we'd roll out these long worms, slather them with garlic butter and top them with coarse salt. I swear, they turned out better than the Olive Garden's bread sticks.

So, besides worms and warts, there are so many other shapes you can make. You can twist the dough, make oval instead of round, the possibilities are only limited to your imagination...and they still taste so amazing!

Super Soft Dinner Rolls

There's nothing like sitting down to a dinner where you look forward to eating super soft dinner rolls. The feel of your teeth sinking in, tasting the melted butter, a chewing delight that leaves you craving another bite.

There are a couple of ways that you can ensure your crust is that just so perfect softness.

First, you can scramble an egg and paint the top of your buns before placing them inside the oven. The egg will make your buns that beautiful golden brown color.

Then, once baked, while buns are cooling, you can paint each with melted butter to create that super softer crust. Take them to the table while still steaming and enjoy!

Ingredients for Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls

warm milk
salt
sugar
eggs
dry active yeast
vegetable oil
flour
cooking spray

How to make Buns with Yeast

This is definitely an easy yeast rolls recipe for beginners and experts alike! Now you can are going to learn how to make the best soft buns at home!

Combine milk, salt, sugar, eggs, yeast and oil.

Add flour and beat hard with your mixer.

Add the remaining flour and work in by hand in the bowl.

Keep adding flour until your dough is no longer sticky.

Cover bowl with a clean, damp, dish towel.

Let dough rise for 15 minutes.

Punch down in the center and let rise 15 minutes more.

Prepare a rimmed baking sheet lightly coated in baking spray.

Make rolls, between 1 ½ and 2 inches in diameter, and let them rise, on your prepared sheet, until they have doubled roughly in size, another 15-30 minutes.

When you are ready to bake them preheat your oven to 400 degrees and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a nice golden brown.

Types of Bread to Try

Sweet Onion Sage Bread

Grandma's Homemade White Bread

Grandma's Surprise Breakfast Bread

Swirled Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Brazilian Cheese Bread (Gluten Free)