This sourdough dinner roll recipe will be your go-to recipe whenever your family is craving soft sourdough dinner rolls! They are soft and buttery and absolutely delicious served warm out of the oven.

Is there anything better than dinner rolls? Actually, YES- homemade sourdough dinner rolls! This pull-apart rolls recipe is so delicious that you will never want to buy store-bought dinner rolls ever again.

As a bread lover myself, I am constantly looking for new sourdough bread recipes that are delicious and easy to make. However, it can be tough trying to find a sourdough recipe that isn’t overly complicated. Well, look no further!! This sourdough dinner rolls recipe doesn’t require multiple rounds of kneading. There is no yeast in this recipe. Best of all, this recipe requires only a few simple ingredients!

Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe

Why you will love these easy sourdough dinner rolls

• This recipe requires no manual kneading! Lots of sourdough recipes have bakers knead the dough ball every 15 to 30 minutes. However, with the use of a stand mixer, you do not need to knead multiple times. All you need to do is mix with the stand mixer for 5-10 minutes and then let the dough rise.
• These delicious rolls are soft and easy to make!
• These soft sourdough dinner rolls are nearly impossible to overproof. Since this is an enriched bread recipe, the addition of milk and honey makes it longer to ferment. Sure, it IS possible. However, you’d seriously have to try to overproof these dinner rolls on purpose.
• There is no yeast in this sourdough dinner roll recipe! Most sourdough discard dinner rolls recipes require additional commercial yeast. However, this recipe solely relies on the wild yeast in an active starter.
• This sourdough bread recipe is versatile! There are so many bread recipes you can make with this dough. Not only can you make sourdough dinner rolls with this recipe, but you can also make sourdough sandwich rolls, sourdough pull apart bread, and even buttery sourdough bread.

Ingredients for sourdough dinner roll recipes

• Milk – Milk is the base liquid for the dinner rolls dough. If you would like a vegan or dairy-free option, you can use any plain plant-based milk.
• Butter –
• Honey – This will add a hint of sweetness to the sourdough dinner roll. Moreover, there is also a subtle smell of honey as well. This balances out nicely with the signature sourdough tang. However, if you do not have honey, you can substitute this for sugar instead.
• Flour –  You can use either all purpose flour or bread flour. I have tried with both of these flours and the rolls always turn out great. I have not yet tried with whole wheat flour.
• Sourdough Starter – Make sure that it is an active sourdough starter. You will need to feed your own sourdough starter the night before.
• Salt – Salt is a flavor enhancer. Always use salt!
• Egg Wash – One beaten egg mixed with a splash of milk. The egg wash will give a nice golden brown color to the dinner rolls. It will also add a nice shine, which makes the sourdough dinner rolls look like they were made by a professional baker!
• Melted Butter (Optional) – For brushing on top after baking.

Equipment needed

• Stand Mixer – A stand mixer is what makes this recipe easy and simple. If you do not have a stand mixer, you can perform 4 sets of stretch and folds every 15 minutes. Make sure to measure the rise of your dough.
• 9 x 13-inch baking dish – 15 shaped rolls will fit perfectly in a 9 x 13 baking dish. You can use a baking dish with different dimensions. However, make sure to space the shaped rolls accordingly.
• Clear Cambro Container – Although not a requirement, I HIGHLY recommend investing in a clear Cambro container. You will easily measure how much your sourdough dough has risen in these containers.

Step-By-Step Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe

STEP ONE
The night before, feed your sourdough starter. In a glass jar or bowl, add 50 grams of sourdough starter, 50 grams of all-purpose flour, and 50 grams of room temperature water. Cover and place in a warm spot.

STEP TWO
The next day in the morning, time to combine the ingredients. Your active starter should have doubled by now. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the milk, butter, honey, and sourdough starter. Stir with a spatula to mix the liquid ingredients. The ingredients will not completely combine, and that’s okay.

STEP THREE
In the bowl of a stand mixer, slowly add 3 ½ cups of flour. Use the dough hook attachment on medium-low to medium speed until the ingredients are combined. The dough should be slightly sticky to the touch but not too sticky. If the dough is too sticky, add ¼ cup of flour. Mix in the bowl of a stand mixer for roughly 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth. Make sure to scrape flour from the sides of the bowl.

NOTE: If kneading by hand, perform one set of stretch and folds every 15 minutes in the first hour. You will perform a total of four stretch and folds. The dough should pass the windowpane test.

STEP FOUR
Place the dough ball in an oiled container and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for 3-4 hours or until it has risen by 50%. This is the first time you will let the dough rest. This is called the first rise.

In the first rise, it is important to monitor how much the dough has physically risen INSTEAD of monitoring the rise time. Rise time for everyone is different due to different environments and the dough temperature. For instance, the temperature of your kitchen is different from mine. My kitchen is at a constant high temperature, which makes my dough bulk fermentation phase way shorter.

If your kitchen is cold or your dough temperature is colder, then your first rise and second rise will be longer.

STEP FIVE
Once the dough has grown by 50% and it is finished with its first rise, it is time to shape the dough into dinner rolls. Place the dough on a floured surface. Divide the dough ball into 15 equal pieces. For accuracy, you can use a kitchen scale. Each dough ball should weigh around 55 grams.

To shape each dough ball, press one piece of dough into a flat square. Pinch the corners and the sides of the dough toward the middle. Turn the dough over so that the seam side is down and touching the work surface. Gently form into a smooth ball.

STEP SIX
Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. You can use butter, olive oil, or any cooking oil spray to grease the baking dish. It is imporant that you grease or oil the baking dish to prevent the sourdough dinner rolls from sticking. Place the dough balls into the dish and evenly space them apart. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and let rise for 2-4 hours or until doubled in size.

As with the first rise, you want to watch the dough during its second rise as well.

You will know when the dinner rolls are ready to bake when they have doubled in size. If you poke the sourdough rolls with a floured finger, there should be a slight indentation that fills in slowly. It should feel soft and full of air.

STEP SEVEN
It is time to bake! Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Before baking, brush the top of the dough ball with egg wash (1 whole egg plus a splash of milk).

Now, it is time to bake your delicious soft sourdough dinner rolls! Bake uncovered at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden brown. Brush the top of the sourdough dinner rolls with melted butter and serve.

Pro Tips For Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls

• Watch the dough, NOT the clock! Doughs will rise slower or faster depending on the temperature and environment. For instance, if your kitchen is cold (50F), your dough may rise slower. In that case, you would have to increase the time for the first rise and second rise.
• Try to keep the dough at a warm temperature. This will ensure that your dough rises at a decent time.
• Make sure your active starter doubles within four hours after feeding. If it does not, then that means that your sourdough starter is weak and cannot reliably raise bread.
• You can make the dough the day before and bake them tomorrow. After shaping the dough ball into rolls, place in the baking pan and cover. Place in the fridge overnight during its second rise (also called final rise or proofing). You can bake them straight from the fridge.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to buy or make sourdough bread?

It is cheaper to make your own sourdough bread! All you need is flour, salt, and water. When you buy bread at a grocery store, you are paying for the cost of labor and also the cost of marketing.

Can I use sourdough discard to make dinner rolls?

Yes! You can make sourdough discard dinner rolls! If you choose to use sourdough discard instead of an active sourdough starter, you will need to add one packet of instant yeast or active dry yeast. The addition of commercial yeast will make your dough rise faster.

How To Store Sourdough Dinner Rolls

• You can store these sweet sourdough rolls in a bread bag or plastic ziplock container on the counter at room temperature. It should last for up to three days.
• You can also freeze the sourdough dinner roll. Place in a freezer-safe bag.