Soft and Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
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Soft, pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls make for the perfect addition to Sunday dinner or any holiday gathering. With a golden, soft crust and fluffy interior, these dinner rolls are irresistible when slathered with quality butter and a drizzle of honey.
These soft, pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls are great for Sunday dinner or holiday meals. They bake up golden on top with a fluffy, tender inside and taste best warm with butter and a little honey. The flavor is lightly sweet with a mild sourdough tang, and the texture is soft with a little chew, the kind you get from good homemade rolls and not the tough chew of crusty bread. If you’ve made my Sourdough Sweet Potato Rolls, this dough will feel pretty similar, just without the sweet potato folded in. A stand mixer makes mixing easy, and most of the time is hands-off while the dough rises. They come out warm, soft, and ready to pass around the table.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Soft and Delicious: I’ll never tire of crusty sourdough bread, but this is the perfect recipe when we are in the mood for pull-apart rolls. With a golden crust and fluffy crumb, sourdough dinner rolls are great for feeding a crowd at Sunday dinner or any holiday get-together.
- Same-Day Recipe: This is one of my family’s favorite bread recipes because you can make it start to finish in a single day. Mix the dough in the morning, and you’ll have fresh, warm sourdough dinner rolls ready by dinner. If you want to try other rolls, you can make Sourdough Crescent Rolls, Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls, or Sourdough Texas Roadhouse Dinner Rolls. They’re all soft, fluffy, and perfect for sharing.
- Easy to Make: With the help of a stand mixer, kneading the dough is a breeze. Knead with a dough hook attachment for 10-15 minutes to build strength for soft sourdough dinner rolls. If you do not have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for the same amount of time.
Ingredients & Substitution
* To find precise measurements, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the recipe card*
- Milk-Milk is used instead of water to make the dough softer and richer. It also helps the rolls brown better and keeps the crumb tender instead of dry.
- Butter-Butter adds flavor and keeps the rolls soft as they cool. It also helps create a fluffy texture instead of a tough, bread-like crumb.
- Active sourdough starter-The starter is what makes the rolls rise and gives them their mild sourdough tang. It also improves texture through fermentation and makes the dough easier to digest.
- Sugar-Sugar adds just a little sweetness so the rolls don’t taste plain. It also feeds the yeast in the starter and helps the crust brown in the oven.
- Egg-The egg makes the dough richer and helps give the rolls structure. It keeps them soft while still letting them hold their shape.
- Bread flour-Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, which helps build strong gluten. That strength lets the rolls rise well and stay tall instead of spreading out.
- Salt-Salt slows fermentation so the dough doesn’t overproof. It also brings out the flavor of the butter, flour, and starter.
- Honey-Used on the finished rolls for sweetness and shine. It pairs well with the sourdough flavor and adds moisture when brushed on warm rolls.
- Butter or olive oil (for greasing the bowl and pan)-Butter or olive oil keeps the dough from sticking during the rise and makes the rolls easier to remove after baking. It also helps protect the dough surface from drying out.
- Egg wash, milk, or melted butter (for brushing before baking)-Brushing the tops before baking helps control how the crust forms. Egg wash makes the rolls shiny and deeply golden, milk keeps the crust soft with light color, and melted butter adds flavor and gentle browning.
- Melted butter (for brushing after baking)-Brushing the rolls after baking adds flavor and keeps the crust tender as they cool. It also gives the rolls a finished look and richer smell when served warm.
How to Make Sourdough Dinner Rolls
- Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan on the stove or in a small bowl in the microwave until warm, but not hot. If the liquid is too hot, it can kill the sourdough starter. I like to heat and then cool slightly before adding to the dough.
- Meanwhile, add the bubbly sourdough starter, egg, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined, then gradually add the warm milk and melted butter.
- To the wet ingredients, add the flour and salt and mix again on low speed. Stop to scrap the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the dry ingredients and then continue to mix on low for 1-2 minutes.
- The dough will look thick and sticky, like a batter. Cover with plastic wrap, a tea towel, or what I like to use – a shower cap, and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to rest before kneading.
- After 30 minutes, remove the cover and knead the dough with the dough hook attachment for 10 – 15 minutes. You’ll know the dough has been kneaded completely when it is smooth and shiny. The dough will completely pull away from the sides of the bowl when it is being kneaded and it will pass the windowpane test. This means when you stretch a small section of dough into a thin film, the light will be able to pass through without the dough tearing. If this is accomplished, the dough has been properly kneaded.
- Remove the dough and place it in a lightly greased bowl. I like to use butter or olive oil. Cover it again.
- Place the dough in a warm place in your kitchen. The first proof should last about 3-4 hours. The bulk fermentation time greatly depends on the temperature of your kitchen. If you have a cold kitchen, like mine, the rise time will take longer. If your kitchen runs warm, the first rise will take less time. A warm spot may be on top of your refrigerator, in a cabinet, or in the oven with the light on.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch the top of the dough to remove all the air bubbles. Then, place the dough on a lightly floured work surface.
- Gently stretch the dough into a large rectangle shape. With a bench knife or serrated knife, cut the dough into 14-16 equal pieces. You can weigh them for consistency, each should be about 80g or so, or eyeball it and call it a day.
- Pull the corners of the dough towards the center, flip, and then roll each piece of dough into a round, tight ball. Repeat until all the rolls are shaped.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish, round pan, or cast iron skillet. Place the shaped rolls into the baking dish and let the dough rest for its second rise. The final rise can take about an hour or so. You will know the final proof is complete when the dough balls have grown and look puffy.
- Heat the oven to350°F. Before placing them into the oven, brush the top of the rolls with a pastry brush with an egg wash, milk, or melted butter. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the homemade sourdough rolls are golden brown. You will know the rolls are completely cooked when the internal temperature is 190°F.
- Serve the sourdough rolls warm or at room temperature.
McKenna’s Helpful Tips
- Keep your starter bubbly and active. A sluggish starter can make dense rolls, so feed it or let it sit longer if needed.
- Heat milk and butter until just warm. Too-hot liquid can kill the starter, while slightly warm helps the dough come together.
- Don’t rush the rises. Full bulk fermentation and proofing develop flavor and texture, giving you softer, fluffier rolls even in a cold kitchen.
- Shape the rolls gently but tightly. Pull corners to the center and roll smooth balls so they rise evenly and bake with consistent texture.
How to Store:
Sourdough dinner rolls stay fresh for 2–3 days in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They also freeze really well. Let the rolls cool to room temperature before putting them in a large freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and seal it. Label the bag with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2–3 months. To enjoy, thaw the rolls on the counter until they reach room temperature, and you’ll have soft, ready-to-eat rolls anytime.
FAQs
What makes sourdough dinner rolls different from yeast rolls?
Most store-bought or bakery dinner rolls use commercial yeast, while sourdough rolls get their rise from a starter. A starter is a mix of natural yeast and bacteria that naturally leavens the dough and adds flavor.
Why is sourdough bread better for you than regular bread?
Sourdough uses a starter instead of commercial yeast, and the long fermentation helps break down phytic acid naturally found in flour. This makes it easier for your body to absorb nutrients and can make the gluten easier to digest.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes! You can swap all-purpose flour for bread flour 1:1. The rolls might be a little less chewy, but they’ll still turn out soft and tasty.
FULL RECIPE TUTORIAL
Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Yield: 15 rolls
Soft, pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls make for the perfect addition to Sunday dinner or any holiday gathering. With a golden, soft crust and fluffy interior, these dinner rolls are irresistible when slathered with quality butter and a drizzle of honey.
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Ingredients
- 240 grams milk, warm 1 cup
- 57 grams unsalted butter, melted 4 Tablespoons
- 200 grams active sourdough starter heaping 1 cup
- 1 egg room temperature
- 24 grams sugar 2 Tablespoons
- 450 grams bread flour 3 cups + 3 Tablespoons
- 9 grams salt 1 1/2 teaspoons
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan on the stove or in a small bowl in the microwave until warm, but no hotter than 110 degrees F. If the liquid is hotter than 120 degrees F, it can kill the sourdough starter.240 grams milk, warm, 57 grams unsalted butter, melted
- Meanwhile, add the bubbly sourdough starter, room temperature egg, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined, then gradually add the warm milk and melted butter.200 grams active sourdough starter, 1 egg, 24 grams sugar
- To the wet ingredients, add the flour and salt and mix again on low speed. Stop to scrap the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the dry ingredients and then continue to mix on low for 1-2 minutes. You can also mix the dough by hand if you're not using a stand mixer.450 grams bread flour, 9 grams salt
- The dough will look thick and sticky, like a batter. Cover with plastic wrap, a tea towel, or what I like to use, reusable shower cap, and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes.
Knead:
- After 30 minutes, remove the cover and knead the dough with the dough hook attachment at medium speed for 10 – 15 minutes. You'll know the dough has been kneaded when it is smooth and shiny. The dough will completely pull away from the sides of the bowl when it is being kneaded and it will pass the windowpane test.This can be done by hand. Knead the dough for the same amount of time, or until the dough passes the windowpane test.
- Baking Tip: This means when you stretch a small section of dough into a thin film, the light can pass through without the dough tearing. If this is accomplished, the dough has been properly kneaded.
- Remove the dough and place it in a lightly greased straight-edge bowl. I like to use butter or olive oil. Cover it again.I like to use this straight edge bowl because it allows me to clearly see when the dough has doubled in size.
Bulk Fermentation:
- Place the dough in a warm place in your kitchen to double in size. In my 70 degree F kitchen, the first proof takes about 3-4 hours. The bulk fermentation time greatly depends on the temperature of your dough and kitchen. If you have a colder kitchen, the rise time will take longer. If your kitchen runs warm, the first rise will take less time.See Notes below for 'Make-ahead Options
Shape:
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch the top of the dough to remove all the air bubbles. Then, place the dough on a clean work surface.
- Gently stretch the dough into a large rectangle shape. With a bench knife or serrated knife, cut the dough into 14-16 equal pieces. You can weigh them for consistency, each should be about 55 grams or so, or eyeball it and call it a day.
- Pull the corners of the dough towards the center, flip, and then roll each piece of dough into a round, tight ball. Repeat until all the rolls are shaped.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 metal baking pan, round pan, or cast iron skillet. Place the shaped rolls into the baking dish, cover them with plastic wrap, and let the dough rest for its second rise. In my 70 degree F kitchen, the final rise takes about 2 hours. You will know the final proof is complete when the dough balls have grown in size and look puffy.
- Not ready to bake these on the same day?No worries! Cover the unbaked rolls on a with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge overnight. Before you’re ready to bake them, pull the dinner rolls out of the fridge and allow the dough to rise. This will take longer since the dough is cold from the fridge. You could also flash freeze the shaped rolls and freeze for up to a week. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight, allow them to rise at room temperature and then bake!
Bake:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Before placing them into the oven, brush the top of the rolls with an egg wash with a pastry brush. To make the egg wash, beat 1 egg with a splash of milk.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the homemade sourdough rolls are golden brown. You will know the rolls are completely cooked when the internal temperature is 190 degrees F.
- Remove the rolls from the oven and top with more butter. Serve the sourdough rolls warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe card was updated on February 18th, 2026.
Recipe Tips
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- Looking for the same great tasting dinner rolls, but need them quickly? Check out my Sourdough Discard Dinner Rolls recipe! Soft, fluffy and ready in 2 hours!
- This sourdough roll recipe is great for making larger buns as well! Instead of making 14-16 individual rolls, I will divide the dough into 8-12 larger buns. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Sourdough dinner rolls will last for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
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MAKE-AHEAD Option
If you are looking to prepare these Sourdough Dinner Rolls in advance – here are some options and tips!Freeze & Bake
Option 1: Prepare the dough and once it has doubled in size, cover the bowl and chill the dough in the fridge overnight. The following morning, shape the dinner rolls and allow them to rise and get fluffy in a warm place before baking as normal. Option 2: Prepare the dough and shape the dinner rolls the night before, then pop the covered baking dish into the fridge overnight. Pull out the unbaked rolls and allow them to rise and get fluffy in a warm place. In my 70 degree F kitchen, this takes about 3-4 hours. Option 3: Prepare the dough and shape the dinner rolls, then pop the covered baking dish into the freezer. Once frozen solid, about an hour or so, place the sourdough dinner rolls into a freezer-safe bag and store for up to a week for the best results. When ready to bake, place the frozen rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover and place them in the refrigerator the night before. The following day, take them out of the fridge and allow them to rise in a warm place, again about 3-4 hours in my 70 degree F kitchen, or until fluffy. Bake as normal.Bake, Freeze & Reheat
Otherwise, you can bake the dinner rolls as normal, then allow them to cool to room temperature. Cover the rolls tightly with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, allow the rolls to thaw on the counter top at room temperature. Once thawed, reheat them in a 350 degree F oven for about 8-10 minutes or until warmed through.Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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After shaping the rolls, could they be put in the refrigerator for 1 – 3 days? I have seen this in other similar recipes that the rolls could be put in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After pulling them out of the refrigerator, bring them to room temp, let them go through the final rise and proceed to bake. This would be nice before a holiday so the rolls are prepped ahead of time. Thank you.
Great question! Yes — you can refrigerate the shaped rolls, but I recommend keeping it to 24 hours max for the best texture and rise. Anything closer to 2–3 days can risk over-proofing, which may cause them to collapse or bake up dense.
When you’re ready to bake, take them out of the fridge, let them come fully to room temperature, and allow them to finish their final rise until they’re nicely puffy. Don’t rush this step — that’s what gives you soft, fluffy rolls!
Such a great make-ahead option for the holidays!
Hello! If I want to double this recipe do I just double everything including the amount of starter?
That’s correct!
Can I use pineapple juice and milk (50/50) to make it sweet hawaiian rolls?
I haven’t personally tested this variation, but in theory a 50/50 mix of pineapple juice and milk should work! Pineapple juice will add extra sugar and acidity, so the dough may ferment a little faster and the rolls might brown more quickly in the oven. I’d keep an eye on the rise times and tent with foil if they brown too fast. If you try it, I’d love to hear how they turn out — sweet Hawaiian-style rolls sound amazing!
I made these rols and they were AMAZING! I followed the recipe exactly the way it was written. I did overnight the rolls and then bake the next day. My friend said these rolls are a must for Thanksgiving! Thank you, McKenna, for sharing this recipe!
I’m so thrilled to hear that everyone loved them so much! They are a staple for our Thanksgiving table, as well. Thank you for sharing, Susan!
Could lard be used for butter in this recipe?
Great question! Yes, you can use lard in place of butter in this recipe. The rolls will still be soft and flavorful, but the taste will be slightly different since lard has a more neutral flavor compared to the richness of butter. If you’d like, you can also mix lard and butter together to get the best of both worlds—light texture with buttery flavor.
I’d love to try this recipe! I’m starting my sourdough journey now and haven’t figured yet the timings of the feedings before baking. What’s the schedule to make sure that the starter is ready to be used in the morning? Thanks!
Hi! I’m so excited you’re starting your sourdough journey! For having your starter ready in the morning, it really depends on the feeding ratio and your kitchen temp. A 1:1:1 feeding (starter:flour:water) will usually peak faster (around 4–6 hours at 70°F), while something like 1:5:5 can take much longer (8–12+ hours).
If you want it ready in the morning, I’d suggest feeding it the night before (around 9–10pm) at a higher ratio—like a 1:4:4—so it has enough food to last overnight and be nice and bubbly when you wake up.
You’ll get the best feel for it by watching how your own starter behaves in your kitchen—it’s a bit of trial and error at first, but you’ll learn its rhythm quickly!
Can I leave the egg out of replace it with something? Egg allergy in the family but I would love to try this!!
Great question! Personally I have not tested this recipe without the egg, but here are some suggestions I found! For the dough, you can replace the egg with unsweetened applesauce (about 3 tablespoons) or mashed banana for moisture and binding.
For the egg wash on top, you can brush the rolls with milk, non-dairy milk, or a little melted butter instead.
I hope that helps—and I’d love to hear how your rolls turn out!
Excellent recipe and results were the most amazing rolls for burgers! I used Einkorn flour and these were just perfect! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much—I’m thrilled to hear that!! I love that you used Einkorn flour—it’s such a flavorful, nutrient-rich choice, and I’m so glad it worked well for you. Thanks for taking the time to share your results!
Hi,
This recipe sounds good and so are the rolls. Can I use this recipe to make sandwich bread or do you have a specific sandwich bread recipe? I am new to bread making and need help. Thank you for sharing.
Hi there! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe—thank you! You can use this dough to make a soft sandwich loaf, but I also have a dedicated sourdough sandwich bread recipe that’s perfect for beginners! It’s soft, fluffy, and great for slicing.
Here’s the link if you’d like to try it: https://simplicityandastarter.com/can-you-bake-sourdough-in-a-loaf-pan/
I’m always happy to help if you have questions—welcome to the world of bread baking!
Do I need to worry about over fermented the dough? Can it go to long?
Great question—and yes, you can over-ferment the dough. If it ferments too long, the gluten can start to break down, making the dough sticky, hard to shape, and resulting in rolls that don’t rise as well when baked.
To avoid this, watch for the dough to double in size during the bulk ferment, then move on to shaping. Timing can vary based on temperature and starter strength, so keeping an eye on the dough (rather than the clock) is key. Let me know if you have any other questions—I’m so happy you’re baking these!
Can I use coconut milk in this recipe?
Great question! Yes, you can use coconut milk in this recipe — just make sure it’s the canned, full-fat kind for best results. It may add a very subtle coconut flavor, but it should still give you soft, fluffy rolls. Let me know how they turn out if you give it a try!
Buns are very good.
So thrilled to hear that!
This time I brushed my buns with butter instead of egg wash. Didn’t color so fast then others wise. And dry out, They hade a chance to bake before coluring.
Hi, wht is the hydration of those buns?
it’s about 54% hydration. to figure out hydration , you take the amount of liquid divided by the amount of flour.
this recipe would be 240 divide by 450 🙂
Did you include the liquid in starter?
What mixer for flour can I use for recipe? I don’t wato use only all-purpose flour.
Had these for Easter dinner and they were a big hit! Nice big fluffy rolls with just enough sourdough tang. Thank you for the recipe.
You are so welcome, Margaret! So thrilled to hear they were such a hit!