No Yeast Dinner Rolls Recipe – Easy Small Batch Recipe

If you’re looking for a homemade dinner rolls recipe but don’t have any yeast on hand, or don’t have the time to let the dough rise, this no yeast dinner roll recipe is for you. In only 30 minutes you’ll have six warm, soft rolls ready to enjoy.

Although these rolls don’t rise quite as much as traditional yeast rolls, they still taste delicious and work well alongside many meals. Serve them with your favorite soup, pot roast or for your Thanksgiving Dinner for Two.

Best of all this recipe is easy and is made with simple ingredients with minimal prep time. That is why it is my go-to recipe when I need a quick bread option.

Although I love the taste and texture of light and airy dinner rolls, I don’t always have the time to wait hours for yeast to work its magic. That is when I pull out this recipe instead.

This recipe skips the proofing and rising steps and instead rely on baking powder to give them the rise as they bake. It’s a great way to get homemade bread on the table for a quick weeknight meal but also during the busy holidays when time is of the essence.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is simple, with only a handful of pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand.

• Unsalted Butter
• Milk
• Sugar
• Salt
• Baking Powder
• All-Purpose Flour

Step-by-Step Instructions For No Yeast Dinner Rolls

1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet or an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, which will help prevent the rolls from sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, milk, sugar, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together until they’re well combined. This mixture will give the rolls both flavor and moisture.

3. Add the Baking Powder
Add the baking powder to the bowl and whisk again to ensure it’s evenly distributed. The baking powder is what will help the rolls rise a little in the oven, so it’s important to mix it thoroughly with the other ingredients.

*Be sure that your baking powder is fresh. Expired baking powder won’t allow the rolls to rise adequately.

4. Incorporate the Flour Gradually
Now it’s time to add the flour. Pour it in gradually, stirring as you go.

You don’t want to dump it all in at once, as this can make it harder to mix evenly. Continue to stir until the no yeast dinner roll dough forms.

The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but shouldn’t stick to your hands. If the dough feels too wet or sticky, you can add a bit more flour, just one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the right consistency.

Shape the Rolls

Once your dough is ready, divide it into six or seven even pieces. Roll each piece into a ball by hand until the rolls become a nice, round shape.

Place each ball of dough on your prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re spaced about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows them to bake evenly and gives them room to expand slightly.

You can also use a 8 x 8 inch baking dish if you want the rolls to touch as they bake.

Baking Instructions

Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know the rolls are done when the tops are a light golden brown.

It’s a good idea to start checking them around the 20-minute mark to make sure they don’t overbake. If you like a softer roll, pull them out right when they turn golden; for a bit more crust, leave them in the oven closer to 25 minutes.

7. Brush with Melted Butter
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with a little melted butter. This gives them a nice sheen and adds a bit of extra flavor.

If you don’t have a pastry brush, you can use a spoon to drizzle the butter on top. The butter also helps keep the tops of the rolls soft, so they’re ready to serve right away.

Tips for Making No Yeast Dinner Rolls

Adjusting Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and pliable. If it’s too sticky, add more flour a teaspoon at a time until you can handle it without it sticking to your hands. Different brands of flour can absorb liquid differently, so don’t worry if you need to adjust slightly.

Evenly Dividing Dough: To make sure your rolls are all the same size, try to eyeball the dough into six equal pieces, or use a kitchen scale if you want to be precise. Even-sized rolls bake more evenly.

Spacing on the Baking Sheet: Placing the rolls about 2 inches apart helps ensure that they don’t bake into each other. They won’t expand as much as yeast rolls, but they still need some room.

Checking for Doneness: A light golden brown color is the best indicator that the rolls are ready. Because ovens can vary, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them in the last few minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.

Storing and Reheating

These rolls are best eaten fresh but can be stored if you have leftovers. Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them in foil and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 1 month. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before wrapping them tightly and placing them in a freezer bag.

To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through or place them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. If they’re frozen, let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

These rolls make a great side for many meals. They’re perfect for soups, salads, or pasta dishes and they are great to serve at your Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter celebration.

FAQs

1. Can I use a milk substitute?
Yes, you can use a non-dairy milk, such as almond or oat milk.

2. Can I make more than six rolls?
Yes, you can double or triple the recipe if you need more rolls. Simply adjust the ingredient amounts accordingly and bake them in batches if needed.

3. Why don’t these rolls rise like yeast rolls?
Yeast is what makes traditional rolls light and fluffy, but since this recipe doesn’t include yeast, the rolls will have a slightly denser texture.

These no yeast dinner rolls are an easy, quick option when you want homemade bread without a long wait. With basic ingredients and a simple process, you’ll have fresh rolls in no time.

Whether you’re serving them with soup, salad, or as part of your holiday celebration, these rolls make a great addition to any meal.

No Yeast Dinner Rolls Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup + 1 Tbsp milk
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Topping

• 1 Tbsp melted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

In a large mixing bowl add the melted butter, milk, sugar, salt and baking powder together and whisk until incorporated. Gradually add in flour and stir until the dough forms.

If the dough is too wet, add additional flour, 1 teaspoon at a time until the dough is no longer sticky.

Divide dough into 6-7 pieces and roll into balls. Place onto prepared baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart.

Bake rolls for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Brush with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven.

Serve warm.

Enjoy! Mary

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