Delicious Rhodes Dinner Rolls Recipe

Let’s say, you want to experience soft and melting warm golden rolls for your dinner—this is the magic of Rhodes dinner rolls recipe. Unlike typical rolls, these creamy delights rise easily in your kitchen, always delivering bakery-quality perfection.

With their mild sweetness and tender crumb, they pair wonderfully with everything from hot soups to savory roasts. Stay stuck as we delve into how to make, freeze, and enjoy this amazing dish.

Ingredients

• 2½ cups warm water (to activate yeast)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 41/4 teaspoons 1 packet active dry yeast
• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons diastatic malt powder (best to go with King Arthur brand)
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup canola oil

How to Make Rhodes Dinner Rolls?

1. Yeast Activation

• Pour warm water into a small bowl or measuring cup.
• Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the water and stir well until dissolved.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the water.
• Let it sit for 5 minutes or wait until the yeast foams to the top.

2. Dry Ingredients Preparation

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the remaining sugar, flour, malt powder, and salt.
• Use the dough hook attachment for mixing.

3. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Pour the activated yeast mixture and canola oil into the dry ingredients in the stand mixer.
• Mix on low speed until a thick dough starts to form.
• The dough may seem stiff at first but as we knead it becomes soft.

4. Knead the Dough

• Start kneading the dough on medium-low speed for 5-7 minutes.
• Knead until the dough is smooth, elastic, and non-sticky.
• If needed, press the dough down into the bowl with a rubber spatula.

5. Divide and Shape the Dough

• Lightly flour the kitchen surface.
• Divide the dough into 24 equal portions. (Tip: Weigh the dough and divide the total weight by 24 for even rolls.)
• To shape each roll, gently flatten a piece of dough into a rough 2” square.
• Fold the edges of the dough square into the center, rolling them to a tight ball.
• Pinch the center to seal the dough, then roll the dough ball seam side down on the counter to seal it fully.

6. Rising

• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the shaped dough balls into the baking dish.
• Cover the dish with plastic wrap (lightly spray the plastic with nonstick spray to prevent sticking) or a clean towel.
• Place the dish in a warm spot and let the rolls rise for 1-2 hours until they are nearly doubled in size.

7. Baking

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Once the rolls have risen, bake them for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.

Also, try making,

• Vegan Dinner Rolls
• Sourdough Dinner Rolls
• Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
• Simple No-yeast Dinner Rolls

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Butter: Brush the hot rolls with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt upon them. 
• Honey Butter: Combine 2 tablespoons of honey with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and brush the Rhodes dinner rolls.
• Herb Butter: Mix 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon minced fresh chives, and ½ teaspoon minced fresh rosemary. Apply this on the rolls and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt. 
• Garlic-Parmesan Butter: Combine 3 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of minced fresh parsley, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. After applying, sprinkle ¼ cup of grated Parmesan butter over the top, and 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt. 

Best Practices for Rhodes Dinner Rolls

• Use fresh yeast: Check the expiration date on the package to ensure the yeast is still good.
• Measure flour correctly: Use the spoon and level method—spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it. This helps keep the flour in the correct amount, preventing you from adding too much, which could lead to dense dough and less fluffy rolls.
• Don’t over-knead: Stop kneading the dough as soon as it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky to the touch.
• Let the dough rise in a warm spot: For best results, place the dough in a warm environment. If your kitchen isn’t warm enough, use your oven. Heat it to 200°F and monitor it until it reaches 110°F. Then, turn off the oven, place the dough inside, cover it with a clean towel (no plastic wrap!), and leave the oven door slightly open. Let the dough rise until it’s nearly doubled in size.

How to Make Dinner Rolls Ahead of Time?

• Make the rolls (in advance): Instead of letting the rolls rise at room temperature, wrap them in lightly sprayed plastic and place them in the fridge overnight. The next day, let them rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled in size, then bake as usual.
• Freeze the unbaked dough rolls: After following the recipe up to the point of refrigerating, instead, freeze the dough rolls in a baking pan. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can stay for up to 2 months. To bake, place the frozen dough balls into a lightly sprayed pan, allowing 3-5 hours for them to thaw and rise at room temperature.
• Freeze the baked rolls: You can bake the rolls in advance and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the rolls, place them again in the baking dish, cover with foil, and warm them in the oven at 200°F.

Storage

• Normal: Pack the remaining Rhodes rolls in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week.
• Freezing: Transfer the rolls into a freezer-friendly bag and store for up to 2 months. To use, thaw them in the fridge and then reheat them in the oven at 200 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Nutrition

Rhodes dinner rolls are more than just a side dish—they’re a versatile recipe for any meal. Their soft, fluffy texture and subtle flavor make them the perfect finishing touch for dinner.

Try them out today, and share your magic dining experience in the comments