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    Home » Recipes » Bread

    Published: Sep 22, 2021 · Modified: Jul 14, 2022 by Pate Giltner Leave a Comment

    Light and Fluffy Rosemary Dinner Roll Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls split in half with butter smeared on them.
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls in a bread basket on a wood table.
    Dinner rolls split in half with butter smeared on them.

    These lighter than air rosemary dinner rolls are the perfect recipe for homemade bread. Incredibly airy, soft, and full of wonderful rosemary flavor, these are the best-yeasted dinner rolls out there! 

    Torn dinner rolls with butter smeared on them on a brown plate and on a wood table.

    Why this recipe works:

    My ideal dinner roll is light and airy and not dense and eggy. Brioche-style rolls are not my favorite. Instead, I prefer light and flavorful water-based bread. A dinner roll shouldn't fill you up but be the perfect complement to your meal. So these are just that! 

    Ingredients for rosemary dinner rolls in bowls on a brown table

    KEY INGREDIENTS:

    Active Dry Yeast: yeast is what makes the rolls rise. This recipe calls for active dry yeast, which means that it needs to be "woken up" in warm water. I always get better results with active dry yeast as opposed to instant yeast. 

    Honey: Honey is what sweetens the rolls. Use any honey you like! My favorite is clover honey because I like the deep flavor, but floral honey would also be great. 

    Flour: Flour provides the structure and the base for these rolls. I used all-purpose flour, but you could also use bread flour if you want even more structure to the rolls. 

    Water: this recipe calls for water and not milk as the liquid. While testing these, I came to the conclusion that milk rolls are just too heavy.

    Collage of the first steps for rosemary dinner rolls

    How to make this recipe:

    These awesome dinner rolls are so easy to make!

    Time needed: 5 hours.

    1. Start by activating the yeast in 110-degree water.

    2. Then mix in the flour, honey, rosemary, and salt.

    3. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.

    4. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.

    5. Tare the dough into two-inch pieces and roll it into balls.

    6. Place the balls in a parchment-lined baking dish, cover, and let rise again.

    7. Brush rolls with olive oil or melted butter and bake for 20-30 minutes.

    Collage of the next steps for rosemary dinner rolls

    TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    • Activate the yeast in 110-115 degree water, which should feel a bit warmer than body temperature.
    • To test to see if the dough has been kneaded enough, do "the windowpane test," pull a section, and if you can pull it thin enough to see through it, it's ready!
    • When rolling the dough into balls, pinch all the rough edges together and twist to form a smooth, rounded roll. 
    • Bake until the rolls are browned and sound hollow when tapped. 
    Rolls in a bread basket with a cream dish towel.

    FAQ's:

    HOW LONG WILL THIS RECIPE KEEP FOR?

    These rolls are best made the same day, but they will stay good for two days in an airtight container.

    CAN THESE BE MADE WITHOUT A STAND MIXER?

    Yes! Just knead by hand on a well-floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic.

    HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE?

    Store this recipe in an airtight container for up to two days.

    Serve this recipe with:

    BOURBON HONEY BUTTER

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    rolls torn in half with butter smeared on them. On a brown plate and on a wooden table.

    Light and Fluffy Rosemary Dinner Roll Recipe

    • Author: pate giltner
    • Prep Time: 4 hours
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
    • Yield: 24 rolls 1x
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: baking
    • Cuisine: american
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These lighter than air rosemary dinner rolls are the perfect recipe for homemade bread. Incredibly airy, soft, and full of wonderful rosemary flavor, these are the best-yeasted dinner rolls out there! 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    1. 1 ¼ ounce packet of active dry yeast 
    2. ¼ cup honey 
    3. 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for glazing 
    4. 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    5. ¼ lukewarm water (ideal temp 105 degrees)
    6. ¾ cup water
    7. 2 tablespoons dried rosemary 
    8. 1 teaspoon salt 

    Instructions

    1. Combine the yeast and ¼ cup of lukewarm water in the bowl of a stand mixer with the hook attachment. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast has dissolved and the mixture has become foamy. 
    2. Add the two tablespoons of olive oil, honey, flour, rosemary, salt, and mix until a dough forms. 
    3. Continue to mix and knead until it's smooth, elastic, and if you can, pull an edge so thin that you can see through it. 
    4. Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil and place your dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until it's doubled in size—about 2 hours. 
    5. Tare the dough into two-inch sections and shape them into balls. 
    6. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking dish and bake let them rise until more than doubled in size—about 2 hours.
    7. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and rosemary. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

    Notes

    • Activate the yeast in 110-115 degree water, which should feel a bit warmer than body temperature.
    • To test to see if the dough has been kneaded enough, do "the windowpane test," pull a section, and if you can pull it thin enough to see through it, it's ready!
    • When rolling the dough into balls, pinch all the rough edges together and twist to form a smooth, rounded roll. 
    • Bake until the rolls are browned and sound hollow when tapped. 

    Keywords: dinner roll

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @thegandmkitchen — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake
    Pate Giltner holding a cupcake

    About Pate

    Hi, I'm Pate, and welcome to The G&M Kitchen!

    The G&M Kitchen is a recipe blog that specializes in southern baked goods. Here you will find classics like buttermilk and honey biscuits and beautiful show stoppers like strawberry basil cupcakes. While all recipes are inspired by traditional southern classics, they all have a twist or adjustment that elevates them and brings them into the modern age.

    Learn more about me →

    As featured in: thefeedfeed, Sur La Table, Bake From Scratch, Foodtography School, The Bourbon Review, Bringing it Home

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