Easy No Yeast Dinner Rolls Recipe

Craving warm, fluffy dinner rolls but don’t want to fuss with yeast? This no yeast dinner rolls recipe will save your day. You’ll get soft rolls on the table in under 30 minutes, no waiting for dough to rise. Perfect for busy nights, holiday dinners or when you simply run out of yeast.

Why Make Dinner Rolls Without Yeast?

Some days you just don’t have yeast or you forget to buy it. Maybe you want fresh bread fast and can’t wait hours for it to rise. No yeast dinner rolls skip the yeast and use baking powder instead. They taste soft and buttery, perfect with soup, gravy or just a bit of butter.

What You Need

You’ll be surprised how simple the ingredient list is. Most of these are probably already in your pantry or fridge.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk (whole or 2% works best)
3 tbsp melted butter (plus extra for brushing)

How To Make No Yeast Dinner Rolls

1. Preheat Oven

Turn your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or line a tray with parchment so the rolls don’t stick.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Mixing dry ingredients first helps the baking powder spread evenly.

3. Add Milk And Butter

Pour in the milk and melted butter. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour.

4. Shape The Rolls

Dust your hands with flour. Scoop out small balls of dough, about the size of a golf ball. Place them close together in your baking dish. They’ll rise and bake together nicely.

5. Bake

Put the rolls in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until they look lightly golden on top. They should sound hollow when tapped.

6. Brush With Butter

Right when they come out, brush warm rolls with melted butter. It makes them taste rich and helps the tops stay soft.

Tips For The Best No Yeast Rolls

Don’t overmix the dough. Stir just until the flour is combined. Overmixing makes rolls tough.
Use cold milk. Cold milk helps the dough hold shape when shaping.
Eat warm. These rolls taste best right after baking.

How To Add More Flavor

This basic no yeast dinner rolls recipe is easy to change up. Try these add-ins for extra flavor.

Stir in shredded cheese like cheddar or parmesan.
Add chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley.
Mix in minced garlic or garlic powder for garlic rolls.

Can You Make Them Ahead?

These rolls are best fresh but you can mix the dough ahead and keep it in the fridge for an hour or two. Bake just before eating so they stay fluffy.

How To Store Leftovers

Keep leftover rolls in a zip bag or airtight box for up to two days. Warm them in the oven or microwave before serving so they taste fresh again.

What To Serve With No Yeast Dinner Rolls

No yeast dinner rolls go with almost anything. Serve them with:

Soups like tomato, vegetable or chicken noodle
Stews and chili
Roast dinners
Holiday spreads
Breakfast with eggs and jam

Are No Yeast Rolls Like Biscuits?

They’re close. Both use baking powder to rise. No yeast rolls tend to be lighter and more bread-like than classic Southern biscuits which use lots of butter and sometimes buttermilk for layers.

Why These Rolls Always Work

Baking powder works fast and doesn’t need warm water or waiting time. As soon as the rolls hit the oven, the heat makes them rise. That’s why they’re perfect for last minute dinners.

Gluten-Free Option

You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour. Make sure the blend has xanthan gum or a binder. Check your baking powder is gluten-free too.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Using too much flour. This makes dry, crumbly rolls.
Not preheating your oven. The high heat helps the rolls puff up.
Skipping the butter brush. Butter on top keeps the rolls soft and tasty.

No Yeast Dinner Rolls For Beginners

If you’re new to bread baking, this is where to start. No kneading, no rise time, no complicated steps. Just mix, shape and bake. Even kids can help shape the rolls.