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Why I Love These Dinner Rolls
Making bread does not have to be complicated. I find that simple bread made with easy ingredients and instructions is all that is needed for a perfectly soft dinner roll. Growing up in the Midwest United States, artisan breads were uncommon. Instead, breads were traditionally on the sweeter side with uncomplicated components. And that’s exactly where this dinner roll recipe comes into play.
These honey oat dinner rolls are nostalgic for me. Honey, old-fashioned oats, and butter are softened with hot water. A little milk tenderizes the dough along with flour and yeast. The best part? These really are foolproof. Once they rise, they’re formed into balls where they rise once more into soft, pillowy rolls. While baking, they become golden, and once slightly cooled, they’re ready to be devoured!
What Is Instant Yeast?
Yeast is often found in two different forms: instant and active.
- Active yeast is more traditional and means that the yeast needs to be activated in warm water to ensure it will rise.
- Instant yeast is made of smaller granules and does not need to be dissolved in water. Instant yeast is guaranteed to be active and ready to use.
I have always used instant yeast and find it to be fail-proof. No activation with water makes it easier and quicker. That’s a win-win!
How Do You Know When the Dough Has Risen Enough?
Most recipes will say that when the dough has doubled in size, it has fully risen. If you are new to making bread, this can be hard to decipher. Here are two methods to know when it’s ready:
- Choose a bowl and make a mark where the dough begins. This way, there is a baseline to track the dough’s growth. This does involve some approximation, but it is a great way to visually see the progress.
- Press a finger into the dough. If it springs back quickly, the yeast is still producing gases and has not fully risen. If the indentation stays or springs back slowly, the dough is ready.
Dough always rises best in a warm environment. Keeping a light on in an unheated oven can produce just enough warmth for the dough to rise quickly.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
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Honey Oat Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter room temperature
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 cup oats
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 pkg) instant yeast
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the butter, honey, oats, and salt. Pour in the hot water and stir until the butter is dissolved, 1-2 minutes. Allow to cool to no less than 110°F, 5-6 minutes.8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, ¼ cup honey, 1 cup oats, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 cup hot water
- Stir in the milk with the beaten egg and add 2 cups of the flour and yeast. Stir to incorporate, creating a sticky dough. Add more flour, 1 cup at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Stir and eventually knead the dough. Do not add more flour, but knead the dough until it is slightly tacky and clears the side of the bowl, 3-5 minutes. Form the dough into a smooth ball.½ cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 ¼ tsp (1 pkg) instant yeast
- Drizzle the sides of the bowl and the dough with 1 tbsp neutral oil. Cover and allow the dough to rise in a warm place until doubled, 40-60 minutes.
- Once doubled, punch down the dough and knead into a ball. Separate the dough into 15 even-sized dinner rolls and place in a buttered 9×13 baking dish. Cover and let rise until doubled, 35-50 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Once dinner rolls have doubled, place in the preheated oven and bake until the tops are golden, 20-25 minutes. The center of the bread should reach 190°F. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 20 minutes before pulling apart and serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Love watching you cook bake or can. You really are great in the kitchen. I always learn something new. And I like your recipes. I like simple easy to do recipes for everyday use. Your are a true gardener as well. Wish I had your expertise.
Kaleb, I totally love your dishes and the excellent way you teach. I’m probably your grandmother’s age at 70,so I’m an experienced home cook. I love your videos and love the closeness that you have with your family. I’m baking your mothers recipe of Honey Oat Dinner rolls today to try them before I make them for Thanksgiving. Thanks for giving of your time to teach in such a loving way.
Delicious rolls but mine didn’t brown. What could be the reason.
I’ve been following you for about a year. I enjoy seeing you yard, your home, recipes and collectibles.
I’ve been following you for about a year. I enjoy seeing you yard, your home, recipes and collectibles.
I tried your oatmeal bread recipe and it’s delicious.
Made the rolls last night, for the games today. So, so easy to make! We ate a few last night after they came out of the oven. They just melt in your mouth. Can’t wait to share today. Thanks again for sharing the recipe. Oh, and I really liked the tip of flour on the hands to get the sticky dough off! Had never heard that before.
These are to Die For!!! I have made them several times, and each time I receive raves and requests for the recipe. Thanks Kaleb for sharing, yet again, such a delicious recipe!!!
I made for Thanksgiving and everyone thought they were delicious! The recipe is so easy and delicious I made 72 for Christmas I only have 12 left. Big, big hit!
Made this past weekend and loved them. Enjoyed them for breakfast, split, and toasted under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Had with Honey. Going to open some fig preserves next time. Just love your videos.
Made the honey oat dinner rolls for Thanksgiving this year. They came out soft and fluffy, not heavy and doughy, with a great honey, oat flavor. You know its good when they go back in for seconds! Thanks Kaleb for sharing this wonderful recipe that I’ll add to my favorites!