Fluffy One-Hour Garlic Herb Dinner Rolls: Your Ultimate Easy Recipe for Soft, Flavorful Bread
Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy dinner roll, rich with the aromatic embrace of garlic and herbs, and still warm from the oven. Now imagine achieving this culinary delight in just one hour! These incredible Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls are brushed with a savory garlic herb butter while hot, making them the perfect accompaniment for all your cherished holiday meals, yet straightforward enough for any weeknight dinner. Their unparalleled tenderness and irresistible flavor will make them an instant family favorite.
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, and these golden-brown pillows of goodness are no exception. Whether you’re planning a grand Thanksgiving feast, a festive Christmas dinner, or even a cozy Easter brunch, these rolls will elevate any spread. And let’s be honest, a soft dinner roll is a welcome addition to any meal, any time of year – even during an unexpected snow day (yes, they happen in Texas too!). There’s truly never a wrong moment to enjoy a tender, homemade roll.
These garlic herb dinner rolls are particularly ideal for holiday gatherings for two key reasons. Firstly, their “one-hour” promise means less stress and more time to enjoy your guests, making them incredibly practical. Secondly, their elevated flavor profile, infused with fragrant garlic and fresh herbs, lends a touch of sophistication that goes beyond a basic dinner roll. If there’s ever a time to add a fancy touch to your food, it’s during the holidays!
While many variations of soft dinner rolls exist, often known as Amish rolls or potato rolls, my recipe has a secret ingredient that guarantees remarkable tenderness for days: instant potato flakes. Don’t worry, their presence is undetectable in the final taste, but they work wonders to create an incredibly moist, luxuriously sweet, and creamy texture. They truly make anything you add them to *instantly* better – a pun I simply couldn’t resist!
This recipe builds upon an established favorite, taking my classic one-hour dinner rolls, which are traditionally served with honey butter, and enhancing them with the irresistible combination of fragrant herbs and savory garlic. It’s a simple upgrade that delivers extraordinary flavor.
For many, the idea of baking bread or making homemade dinner rolls can seem intimidating, especially for beginners. Rest assured, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and accessible, even if you’re new to the world of bread baking. My goal is to empower you to create these incredibly soft and flavorful rolls with confidence.
To ensure your success, I highly recommend reading through all the instructions thoroughly before you begin. This simple step will help you understand the process, anticipate each stage, and ensure a smooth and enjoyable baking experience.
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls:
- Butter: This essential fat plays a dual role, contributing to the dough’s tenderness, structure, richness, and overall flavor. A portion of the melted butter is incorporated into the dough, while the remainder is reserved to brush generously over the rolls the moment they emerge hot from the oven, creating that signature golden sheen and adding another layer of flavor.
- Whole Milk: The warmth of the milk is crucial for activating the yeast quickly, ensuring these rolls live up to their “one-hour” promise. It also adds richness and contributes to a softer crumb.
- Water: Heated with the milk and butter, water helps achieve the perfect liquid temperature for yeast activation and ensures the dough has adequate hydration.
- All-Purpose Flour: For these soft dinner rolls, all-purpose flour is ideal. Unlike bread flour, which is designed for crusty loaves, all-purpose flour yields a more tender and delicate texture, perfect for rolls, hot cross buns, or cinnamon rolls.
- Instant Potato Flakes: This is truly the star ingredient, my “secret rockstar,” for achieving the softest, most luxurious dinner rolls imaginable. They add a delicate sweetness and incredible moisture retention without any discernible potato flavor.
- Rapid Rise Yeast: To keep this recipe to one hour, rapid-rise yeast (also known as instant yeast) is non-negotiable. It eliminates the need for a separate activation step, allowing the dough to rise quickly and efficiently.
- Granulated Sugar: Beyond simply sweetening the rolls, sugar serves as vital “food” for the yeast, helping it to activate and thrive, resulting in a robust rise and a perfectly balanced, slightly sweet flavor in the final product.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial in baked goods, not just for flavor enhancement but also for controlling yeast activity and strengthening the gluten structure.
- Garlic Powder: Incorporated directly into the dough, garlic powder infuses the rolls with a foundational garlic flavor. This initial layer is then amplified by the fresh garlic butter brushed on top, ensuring a pronounced and irresistible garlicky taste.
- Herbs: Fresh rosemary and parsley are my top choices for their vibrant flavors and aromatic qualities. When brushed onto the hot rolls with butter, you’ll hear a delightful sizzle as the butter and herbs meld, sealing in all that incredible garlicky goodness – it’s pure heaven!
- Egg: Added to the wet ingredients, a large egg provides additional richness, moisture, and aids in the overall structure and tenderness of the dough, contributing to its beautiful golden color.
- Fresh Garlic: For the ultimate garlic herb butter, fresh minced garlic is essential. Combining it with melted butter in a saucepan allows the butter to absorb all the wonderful garlicky flavor without burning the garlic, creating an intensely aromatic and savory topping. Using minced garlic offers a more pronounced flavor compared to whole cloves.
Crafting the Best Soft Dinner Rolls: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Gently Heat Liquids: In a microwave-safe measuring cup, combine 4 tablespoons of butter with the milk and water. Heat in the microwave until it’s comfortably warm to the touch, ideally between 110-115ºF. This temperature is vital for activating the yeast without killing it. If it gets too hot, simply allow it to cool down to the correct temperature.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, instant potato flakes, rapid-rise yeast, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, fresh rosemary, and two tablespoons of fresh parsley. Stir these dry ingredients briefly to ensure they are well mixed.
- Form and Knead the Dough: With the stand mixer running on the “stir” setting, slowly pour in the warm milk mixture, followed by the room temperature egg. Increase the speed to low-medium and allow the machine to knead the dough for 4-5 minutes. Watch as the dough begins to pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. If it remains sticky, add a little more flour (up to ¼ cup at a time) until a smooth, cohesive dough ball forms.
- Initial Rest and Oven Prep: Remove the dough from the hook. Cover the mixer bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to a lightly greased, clean bowl and cover. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. During this time, preheat your oven to 180ºF and generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Shape the Rolls: Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 15-inch circle. For consistent roll sizes, you can weigh the dough and divide it, but eyeballing it works perfectly fine. Cut the dough into 12 to 16 equal pieces using a pizza cutter. Take each piece, fold the seams underneath, and roll it into a smooth, round ball. Place these dough balls seam-side down into your prepared baking pan, arranging them close together.
- The Essential Rise: Using a pastry brush, gently brush the tops of each dough ball with approximately a teaspoon of water. This prevents them from drying out during the rise. Crucially, turn your oven OFF. Place the baking dish containing the rolls into the warm, turned-off oven to rise for 20 minutes. Resist the urge to open the oven door during this period.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: After 20 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and set it aside on the counter. Now, preheat your oven to 375ºF. Once the oven is hot, place the rolls back inside and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and the rolls spring back when lightly touched. If you made 16 rolls, the baking time might be slightly shorter, around 14-18 minutes. During the last 5-7 minutes of baking, prepare your garlic butter sauce.
- Infuse with Garlic Herb Butter: In a small saucepan, combine the minced fresh garlic and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the enticing aroma of garlic fills your kitchen. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley and a pinch of salt. Remove the rolls from the oven immediately and brush them generously with this aromatic garlic butter mixture while they are still hot. The butter will sizzle and soak into the rolls, locking in incredible flavor. Serve these delightful rolls warm with gravy, a crisp pear salad, your favorite side dishes, or alongside a delicious turkey dinner!
Expert Tips for the Best Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls:
This step is absolutely paramount for successful bread baking. If your liquid mixture is too hot, it will unfortunately kill the yeast, preventing your dough from rising. Always use a thermometer to verify the temperature. If it accidentally gets too hot, simply let it cool down to the ideal range before proceeding.
If the liquids are too cool, the yeast will not “wake up” and begin its work, meaning your rolls won’t achieve their desired rise and fluffiness. Sticking to the 110-115ºF range is your best bet for vibrant yeast activity.
Also known as ‘instant’ yeast, this type is key to achieving these dinner rolls in just one hour. It’s designed for faster action, allowing you to skip the traditional proofing step. Double-check your yeast packet to ensure it’s not ‘active dry yeast,’ which requires a longer activation and proofing time and will extend your total preparation. For optimal results and to stay within the one-hour timeframe, stick to rapid-rise yeast.
It might seem like a minor detail, but expired yeast is a common culprit behind flat, dense bread. A fresh packet of yeast ensures maximum activity and the best possible rise for your rolls. This small check can make all the difference between mediocre and magnificent results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About This Recipe:
The secret to their incredible springiness and delicious texture lies in the addition of just a ¼ cup of instant mashed potato flakes. This simple ingredient significantly boosts moisture retention and contributes to that desirable soft, airy crumb.
Many professional bakeries and commercial kitchens utilize ingredients like various forms of potatoes, or sometimes dry milk powder, to achieve their signature extra-soft and delightful dinner rolls. Our use of instant potato flakes mimics this technique for a truly tender homemade result.
This recipe is specifically designed for rapid-rise or instant yeast, which enables quick rising. If you’re not constrained by time and prefer a longer, slower fermentation for a slightly deeper flavor, you can certainly use active dry yeast instead. However, remember that active dry yeast will need to be activated first by letting it sit in the warm milk solution with a pinch of sugar (its food!) until foamy, and the overall proofing times will be considerably longer than the one hour specified here.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Homemade Rolls:
To keep your delicious garlic herb dinner rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container or a large resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, they freeze exceptionally well. Simply place cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, you can warm them gently in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or for a more “freshly baked” experience, wrap them in foil and heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through and soft.
Serving Suggestions for Your Garlic Herb Rolls:
These versatile rolls are fantastic with almost anything! Beyond traditional holiday meals, consider serving them alongside hearty stews, rich chili, creamy pasta dishes, or a simple green salad. They’re also delightful sliced in half for mini sandwiches or slathered with extra herbed butter. Don’t forget they make an excellent dipping bread for olive oil and balsamic vinegar or a delicious accompaniment to any soup.
If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy these:
- Best Herb Stuffing For Thanksgiving
- Herby Parmesan Garlic Knots
- Caramelized Onion Gruyere Drop Biscuits
- Easy Pull Apart Garlic Roll Wreath
- Roasted Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread
There’s immense satisfaction in baking your own bread, and with this recipe, you can achieve impressive results even on a tight schedule. The unparalleled softness, the rich garlic and herb aroma, and the sheer delight of homemade goodness make these rolls an essential addition to your recipe collection. Give them a try – your taste buds will thank you!
One Hour Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls
40 minutes
20 minutes
1 hour
Experience the delight of soft and fluffy garlic herb dinner rolls, ready in just one hour. These rolls are lovingly brushed with a savory garlic and herb butter when hot out of the oven, making them an ideal, yet easy, addition to both elaborate holiday meals and simple weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Rolls:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup whole milk (2% milk also works)
- ½ cup water
- 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- ¼ cup instant potato flakes (see notes below)
- 1 tablespoon rapid-rise yeast (also known as instant yeast, see notes)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary (use ½ tablespoon if using dried rosemary)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, divided (use 1 tablespoon if using dried parsley)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
For the Garlic Herb Butter Topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (for a more pronounced flavor) or whole (for milder flavor, see notes)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (reserved from above, or use ½ tablespoon if using dried parsley)
- Pinch of salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Liquid Mixture: In a 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, combine the 4 tablespoons of butter, whole milk, and water. Heat on high in the microwave for approximately 1 minute. The mixture should be warm to the touch, ideally between 110-115ºF (43-46ºC). Continue heating in 10-15 second increments if needed until the correct temperature is reached. If it becomes too hot, allow it to cool slightly before proceeding, as hot liquid will kill the yeast.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment, add 4 cups of all-purpose flour, instant potato flakes, rapid-rise yeast, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, fresh rosemary, and the first 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley. Stir briefly with a spoon or on low speed to combine thoroughly.
- Mix and Knead the Dough: With the mixer on the ‘stir’ setting, slowly stream in the warm milk mixture and then add the room temperature egg. Once combined, increase the mixer speed to medium-low and allow the mixer to run for 4-5 minutes. After the initial 1-2 minutes, the dough should begin to pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl, forming a soft, cohesive ball. If the dough remains overly sticky, add an additional ¼ cup of flour and continue kneading for another minute. If it still hasn’t formed a ball, add the remaining ¼ cup of flour. You may not need all the additional flour; I found my dough didn’t require it.
- First Rest and Oven Preparation: Remove the dough from the hook. Cover the mixer bowl securely with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes. While the dough rests, position an oven rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 180ºF (82ºC). Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Shape the Rolls: Turn the rested dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a uniform 15-inch circle. Dip a pizza cutter in flour and use it to divide the dough into 12 or 16 equal pieces. For perfect uniformity, you can weigh each portion, but eyeballing works just fine. Take each piece, gather the edges, and fold the seams underneath to form a smooth, round ball. Place these dough balls seam-side down into your prepared baking dish, arranging them snugly together.
- Second Rise (in the oven): Using a pastry brush, gently brush the tops of the dough balls with a small amount of water. This helps prevent them from drying out during the rising process. Turn your oven OFF. Immediately place the baking dish with the rolls into the warm, turned-off oven. Allow the dough to rise for 20 minutes. It is crucial not to open the oven door during these 20 minutes to maintain consistent warmth.
- Bake the Rolls: After 20 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and place it on your counter. Now, preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Once the oven is fully preheated, place the baking dish back into the hot oven. Bake the dinner rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until their tops are beautifully golden brown and they spring back gently when lightly touched. If you opted to make 16 smaller rolls, your baking time will likely be shorter, typically around 14-18 minutes. Begin preparing the garlic butter sauce (following step #8) during the final 5-7 minutes of the baking time.
- Prepare and Brush with Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan, combine the minced fresh garlic and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat this mixture over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and you can distinctly smell the fragrant garlic, add the remaining tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley along with a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine. As soon as the soft dinner rolls are hot out of the oven, generously brush their tops with this aromatic garlic butter mixture. Serve these incredibly flavorful rolls warm and enjoy!
Chef’s Notes & Tips:
- Ensure you use instant dry potato flakes for this recipe. You can even choose a garlic-flavored variety if you wish to amplify the garlicky goodness even further!
- Rapid-rise yeast is also widely known as ‘instant’ yeast. If your recipe calls for or you only have active dry yeast, please note that the proofing and rising times will be significantly longer, altering the “one-hour” promise of this recipe. For the best and quickest results, I strongly recommend adhering to the recipe as written with rapid-rise yeast.
- For the garlic butter, you have flexibility with the fresh garlic. Using whole cloves of garlic (crushed or lightly smashed) will result in a more subtle, less intense garlic flavor in the butter. However, if you prefer a truly robust and pronounced garlic experience in your dinner rolls, opt to mince the garlic very finely.
- Don’t overcrowd your baking dish. While snug rolls encourage a softer side, ensure they have enough space to rise without spilling over.
- To measure flour accurately, spoon it into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly can compact the flour, leading to too much dry ingredient.
- Always allow your egg to come to room temperature before adding it to the dough. This helps it incorporate more smoothly and contributes to a better dough texture.
Have you made this recipe?
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