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RecipesReviewed September 20268 min read

Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe: Fluffy, Pull-Apart and Make-Ahead

These tangzhong dinner rolls stay soft for days and pull apart in tender layers, a perfect partner for a buffet-style spread at home.

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Illustration of a tray of soft golden dinner rolls
Makes12 rolls
✓ Reviewed September 2026By the Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team† = estimate or varies by restaurant
Quick answer

This soft dinner rolls recipe uses the tangzhong method, a cooked flour paste that holds moisture, to make 12 fluffy pull-apart rolls with 3 cups of bread flour, milk, butter, yeast and an egg. Bake at 350°F for 22 to 25 minutes.

Why tangzhong makes softer rolls

Tangzhong is a paste of flour and liquid cooked before mixing. It traps water in the dough, so the baked rolls stay moist and tender for days instead of drying out overnight.

Soft dinner rolls recipe

Prep40 minCook25 minTotal170 minYield12 rollsPer servingabout 190 cal

Ingredients

  • Tangzhong: 3 tbsp bread flour and 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3 cups (400 g) bread flour
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) warm milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tbsp (57 g) softened butter
  • 1 tbsp melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Make the tangzhong: whisk the flour and milk in a small pan and heat on low, stirring, until it thickens like pudding, about 2 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
  2. Mix the bread flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add the tangzhong, warm milk and egg.
  3. Knead 8 to 10 minutes, adding the softened butter one piece at a time, until smooth and elastic.
  4. Rise in a covered bowl for 60 minutes until doubled.
  5. Divide into 12 balls and arrange in a greased 9x13 pan or 9-inch round pan.
  6. Rise again 35 minutes until puffy.
  7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 22 to 25 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter.

Tips for success

  • Measure flour by weight for consistent dough.
  • The dough should be tacky but not sticky. Add 1 tbsp flour only if needed.
  • Use the windowpane test: a small piece should stretch thin without tearing.
  • Tent with foil if the tops brown too quickly.

Make-ahead and freezing

  • After shaping, cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Bake after 30 minutes on the counter.
  • Freeze baked rolls up to 2 months. Warm at 300°F for 10 minutes.
  • Reheat with a damp paper towel in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Want a more classic yeast roll? Try our copycat yeast rolls.

Serving ideas

  • Serve warm with honey butter for a buffet-style side.
  • Use as slider buns for pulled pork or fried chicken.
  • Split and toast for breakfast sandwiches.

Keep planning: related Golden Corral guides

These guides pair well with this page.

Dinner rolls: common questions

Yes, but bread flour gives a fluffier crumb.
You can, but the rolls will not stay as soft.
The dough may be under-proofed or the yeast may be old. Let it double.
Use plant milk and vegan butter.
Twelve.
Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team
Golden Corral Prices Guide editorial team

We research restaurant information, test recipes and update pages when details change. Independent and not affiliated with Golden Corral.

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Free, independent and always labeled as an estimate.
See the yeast rolls guide
Golden Corral Prices Guide is independent and not affiliated with Golden Corral. Prices, hours and offers are estimates and vary by restaurant. Always confirm locally.