Bread Machine Rolls

Nothing elevates a meal like a cozy side of hot dinner rolls. These bread machine rolls take a few steps out of the typical bread-making process, giving you more time to focus on roasting a chicken or sauteing green beans. These knots are made with an enriched dough that includes butter and egg which makes them soft and fluffy.

Just add your ingredients to your bread machine and let it do the work of kneading and proofing. When the dough has risen, shape it into adorable little knots, brush with an egg wash and bake until golden. The egg wash gives them good color and sheen.

Ingredients for Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

• Butter and egg: Adding butter and an egg to bread dough enriches it, making it soft and pliable.
• Bread flour: Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose, making it ideal for an elastic bread dough. (Here’s more about different types of flour.)
• Sugar: A little granulated sugar feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Dry milk powder: Milk powder gives dinner rolls a tender crumb.
• Quick-rise yeast: You may also find this yeast called “instant” or “fast-rise”.

Egg Wash

• Egg and water: Whisk together an egg and water to brush over the tops of rolls for shine and color.

Directions

Step 1: Combine ingredients and let the bread machine knead and proof

Following the instructions for your bread machine, add all ingredients (except for egg and water for egg wash) into the bread machine pan. Use the dough setting and turn it on. Check the dough consistency in about five minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if the dough looks too dry or 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour if it looks too slack. You’re looking for a smooth, elastic dough that is a little tacky.

Step 2: Shape dinner rolls

After the bread machine has finished its cycle, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 24 pieces and roll into balls, then 8-inch ropes. Tie a loose knot and tuck the ends underneath.

Editor’s tip: If you want evenly sized rolls, a food scale on the gram setting can help you divide dough into even pieces. Start by dividing the dough in half, and continuing to split each part in half until you reach 24 pieces.

Step 3: Let rolls rise one more time

Place 1-1/2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet, cover with a clean towel and let rise until puffy, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400°F while the rolls do their final proof.

Step 4: Brush with egg wash and bake

Whisk egg and water together, then brush over the rolls. Bake for eight to nine minutes, until golden brown, and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

• Mix-ins: Try adding 1/4 cup each of chives or parsley and Parmesan cheese when adding ingredients to the bread machine.
• Add garlic butter: Melt salted butter with a smashed clove of garlic. Remove the clove and brush the butter over the rolls as soon as they come out of the oven.
• Top with flaky salt: After brushing with egg wash, lightly sprinkle some flaky or seasoned salt over the top.

How to Store Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for one to two days.

Can you freeze bread machine dinner rolls?

Freeze completely cooled rolls by wrapping them tightly in aluminum foil and placing them in a zipper-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight, loosen the foil and reheat for 10 minutes in a 300° oven. Or bake from frozen in loosened foil for 25 minutes.

Special Equipment

See below for instructions to make these rolls without a bread machine, and here are our recommendations for a bread machine that’s right for you.

Tips for Bread Machine Dinner Rolls

Can you make this recipe without a bread machine?

Yes, if you don’t have a bread machine, mix the dough as directed and knead it either in a stand mixer or by hand until smooth and elastic. Place it in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for about an hour or until the dough springs back slowly when you press a finger into it. If it springs back fast, it hasn’t risen enough. Continue with shaping and baking directions.

What are some tips for using a bread machine?

A few things will help you get great bread out of your machine. We recommend using bread flour; substituting all-purpose will yield a different texture. Definitely open up the bread machine while it’s kneading to check on the consistency to see if you need to adjust by adding more flour or water. We also don’t recommend using the time-delay feature for this recipe, mostly because for food safety reasons you don’t want eggs sitting around at room temperature.

Do you have to shape the rolls into knots?

No, you can use whatever shape you want. Plain balls are just fine, or you might want to try something even fancier, such as a double-strand knot. Here are instructions for 14 different dinner roll shapes.