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This soft sourdough dinner rolls recipe is fluffy on the inside and golden brown on the outside for a side dish that goes with all your favorite cozy meals! With active sourdough starter and just a few pantry staples, these sourdough dinner rolls will quickly become a family favorite.
New to sourdough? Check out our How to Make Sourdough Starter Guide!
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If you’ve ever watched Little House on the Prairie, you know there’s one thing that’s in every single episode.
It’s not Laura, Ma Ingalls, or Nellie.
It’s bread.
Whether at meal time, during a casual conversation, or during a lunch break, someone was pulling bread from the oven, buttering bread, or, my favorite, eating bread.
That’s the kind of world I want to live in. One where freshly baked bread is always an option and “low carb” is considered profanity.
“That’s a bit much,” you say. “We can’t eat bread round the clock.”
Snort.
If you fall into the “gimme more bread” camp, let me tell you about this soft sourdough dinner rolls recipe.
Sourdough dinner rolls are everything you love about soft, butter dinner rolls, except they’re sourdough. This means they’ve been long-fermented for a deep, tangy flavor and additional nutritional benefits.
If you find yourself without an active starter, try our sourdough discard rolls that come together in just a couple of hours. But, if you have the time, I recommend this sourdough rolls recipe because the long-ferment is simple sourdough magic.
They are perfect as a holiday side dish, stuffed with ham and cheese, or slathered with butter and dipped in soup.
Let me tell you all about them.
Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
- The soft, fluffy texture of your favorite dinner rolls with a light sourdough flavor.
- Made with active sourdough starter and a long ferment. No yeast required!
- This sourdough dinner rolls recipe is made with simple ingredients you probably keep on hand.
- Overnight rise makes it easy to fit into your schedule. They are perfect for holidays and get-togethers without adding anything extra to your plate.
- Versatile enough for holidays, weeknight dinners, or sandwiches!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Active sourdough starter – Provides natural leavening and gives the rolls their soft texture and mild sourdough flavor.
- Milk – Adds moisture and richness for a tender crumb.
- Bread or All-purpose flour – Creates structure while keeping the rolls soft and fluffy.
- Honey – Lightly sweetens the dough and helps feed the natural fermentation.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and strengthens the dough.
- Butter – Adds richness and keeps the rolls soft. Make sure you have extra for slathering on the fresh rolls!
- Egg (for egg wash) – Gives the rolls a golden, glossy finish.
How to Make this Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mix the dough. In a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter and milk until smooth. Add the flour, honey, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
Step 2: Knead. Knead the dough:
If using a stand mixer: Mix with the dough hook on low speed until a dough forms, then knead on medium-low speed for 6–8 minutes.
If kneading by hand: Stir until combined, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes.
The dough should be soft, smooth, and elastic, slightly tacky but not sticky.
Step 3: First rise. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 8–12 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the rolls. Gently punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a roll by rolling it between your hands and the counter or by tucking the edges underneath to create surface tension. Place seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 5: Second rise. Cover and let the rolls rise for 1–2 hours, until puffy and the rolls are touching.
Step 6: Bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the rolls with the egg wash. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and serve. Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Soft, Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Rolls
- Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly for the best rise. If you aren’t sure, try the float test!
- The dough should feel soft and elastic. Add extra flour one tablespoon at a time if it feels too sticky.
- Rise times will vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen. If the temperature is below 70 degrees, set it on top of a heating pad set to low.
- The rolls are ready to bake when they look puffy and gently spring back when pressed.
How to Serve this sourdough Dinner rolls Recipe
Serve this sourdough dinner rolls recipe:
- Warm with a generous slather of butter
- Alongside our healthy chicken soup or sausage and potato soup
- Stuffed with ham and cheese
- Dipped in homemade bone broth and followed by strawberry sourdough bread for dessert!
How to Store Sourdough dinner Rolls
- Room temperature: Store your sourdough rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Freeze fully cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm rolls in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes, or until heated through. For a softer crust, cover loosely with foil while reheating.
FAQ about this Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Can I make This sourdough Dinner rolls Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can shape the rolls and refrigerate them overnight for the second rise. Let them come to room temperature and get puffy before baking.
Do these sourdough rolls taste sour?
They have a mild sourdough flavor. If you prefer your rolls to be less sour, add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of honey.
Can I use sourdough discard instead of active starter?
No, not for this recipe because they will not rise. If you only have sourdough discard, follow our sourdough discard rolls recipe!
Why didn’t my Sourdough rolls rise?
If your rolls don’t rise, it’s probably due to an inactive starter or a cool environment. Make sure your starter is bubbly and allow more time if your kitchen is cool. Or, check out our full troubleshooting guide and find out why your sourdough didn’t rise!
Can I freeze this sourdough Dinner rolls Recipe?
Yes! These rolls freeze very well. Freeze fully cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 187 grams sourdough starter, active and bubbly (a level 3/4 cup)
- 210 grams warm milk (3/4 cup + 2 tbs)
- 550 grams bread flour (or all-purpose, 3 cups)
- 3 tbs honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbs melted butter
- 1 egg beaten, for egg wash
Instructions
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), whisk together the sourdough starter and milk until smooth. Add the flour, honey, salt, and melted butter.
- Knead the dough: If using a stand mixer: Mix with the dough hook on low speed until a dough ball forms, then knead on medium-low speed for 6–8 minutes.If kneading by hand: Stir until combined, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes.The dough should be soft, smooth, and elastic, slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Bulk ferment: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover and let it rise at room temperature for 8–12 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls: Gently punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a roll by rolling it between your hands and the counter, or by tucking the edges underneath to create surface tension. Place the rolls seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Second rise: Cover and let the rolls rise for 1–2 hours, until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and baked through.
- Cool and serve: Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.
Sourdough Rolls Didn’t Turn Out Quite Right? Try:
- Why is My Sourdough Not Rising?
- Why is My Sourdough Bread Gummy? (And how to Fix it)
- Why is My Sourdough Starter Not Rising?
- Why is My Sourdough So Sticky? (And How to Fix it!)
- Why is My Sourdough Starter Watery? Causes + Easy Fixes!
You Will Love this Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe!
Whether or not you long to live in Walnut Grove, round-the-clock bread is possible with this sourdough rolls recipe. They’re soft, buttery, and mostly hands-off thanks to the long ferment. Serve them to your family with a generous slather of butter and watch the smiles grow around your table. Happy baking!
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