How to make vegan dinner rolls that are soft, fluffy, 'buttery', delicious, and surprisingly easy to make by hand or mixer (flavored options, top tips, and FAQs included!)
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The Ingredients
- How to Flavor Homemade Dinner Rolls
- How to Make Vegan Dinner Rolls
- FAQs
- Pro Recipe Tips
- How to Serve Vegan Dinner Rolls
- Storage Instructions
- Other Vegan Appetizers to Consider....
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Air-Fried)
- Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Fluffy Vegan Dinner Rolls
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Let me let you in on a little secret: Making perfectly pillowy, fluffy vegan dinner rolls is actually super simple and nothing to be afraid of! Using just 6 simple ingredients, you can pull together these yeast dinner rolls from scratch by hand or stand mixer - perfect for Thanksgiving and family dinners - and genuinely NO-ONE can tell they're vegan.
Not only are they simple to make with my step-by-step instructions and top tips, but once baked, these vegan rolls are the perfect, versatile side for mopping up soups and stews and serving alongside practically any meal. Sometimes (okay, almost very time), I even butter one or two with vegan butter right out of the oven and dig in. Pure yeasty, 'buttery' deliciousness!
And if you're bitten by the baking bug, try my easy garlic herb focaccia next.
The Ingredients
How to Flavor Homemade Dinner Rolls
There are endless ways to flavor these soft and fluffy dinner rolls to suit any meal. Here are just a few super simple additions I've personally enjoyed.
- Herbs/Spices: Add 1-2 tablespoon minced rosemary, thyme, chives, green onion, parsley, etc. (or dried Italian seasoning), and/or garlic powder (for garlic and herb rolls), onion powder/flakes, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, everything bagel seasoning, etc.
- Vegan cheese: Add ½-¾ cup shredded vegan cheddar or some vegan parmesan.
- Vegan garlic butter: Brush before and after baking for YUMMY garlic dinner rolls!
- Cinnamon raisin rolls: 1 - 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon + ¼-⅓ cup raisins, and optional 1:1 maple syrup-vegan butter topping. I also increase sugar in the dough.
- Toppings: Brush with melted vegan butter and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, flaky salt, etc.
How to Make Vegan Dinner Rolls
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups of flour, the yeast, sugar, and salt.
Step 2: Heat ¼ cup vegan butter and soy milk in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and lukewarm (105-110°F) -warm enough to activate, not kill, the yeast.
Step 3: Add that to the flour mix and stir to combine.
Step 4: Gradually add the remaining flour, a little at a time, while kneading by hand for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when prodded.
You may not need all the flour- adjust for humidity.
Step 5: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free location for 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size and slowly springs back when pressed. Meanwhile, lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step 6: Punch down the dough, then divide it into 15 equal balls (optionally weigh for accuracy) and arrange in the pan. Cover and let rise for a further 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F/190 °C.
To shape homemade dinner rolls: Pinch and seal the bottom for a smoother top, use your thumb and forefinger in a C shape to gently 'swirl' the roll, and place seam-down in the pan.
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Step 7: Bake the vegan bread rolls for 18-20 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Finally, brush the freshly baked vegan bread rolls with melted vegan butter, cool for 5 minutes, and enjoy!
To Use a Hand Mixer
Use the dough hook to mix the dry ingredients. Add the vegan butter-milk mix, blend on low for 2 minutes. Add the remaining flour, knead on low for 2 minutes, then on medium for 1 minute, until smooth.
If flour remains dry, knead by hand to form a ball. Continue with the steps above.
FAQs
Absolutely! My preferred method is to shape the rolls then refrigerate for up to 2 days. Let them double in size at room temperature, then bake. OR freeze un-baked rolls, thaw on the counter (takes 4-6 hours), leave to rise slightly, and bake.
Ensure the yeast hasn't expired and the liquid mixture isn't too hot or cold. These are the most common issues.
When ready, the dough should be smooth, elastic, slightly tacky (but not sticky), and bounce back when pressed. A small piece should stretch thin without tearing.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Check your yeast!: Make sure it's in date.
- Use warm vegan milk: The ideal temperature is 100-110°F (38-43°C), which is warm but not hot, to activate the yeast. Too hot will kill it. Too cold won't activate it.
- Don't skimp on kneading: This step ensures gluten development for soft, fluffy rolls. Refer to the FAQ to know when the dough is ready.
- When the dough rises: Proof the dough in a warm, draft-free area, as low temperatures inhibit rising.
- Adjust roll size: To make large, regular, small, or mini vegan dinner rolls.
- For a golden/shiny top: Brush with vegan butter, plant-based milk, or a maple-vegan milk mixture.
How to Serve Vegan Dinner Rolls
If I said you could enjoy these vegan rolls with practically any meal, I'm barely exaggerating. My favorite pairings include:
- Lashings of vegan butter, jam, and other spreads
- To mop up soups and stews (like vegan corn chowder, mixed bean and vegetable stew, and vegan broccoli cheddar soup)
- Vegan chicken and dumplings
- Pasta (i.e., garlic lemon pasta, vegan manicotti, or american vegan goulash)
- As Christmas/Thanksgiving rolls
- Use for stuffed rolls/vegan sandwiches and plant-based burgers.
Storage Instructions
Store: Any of these eggless dinner rolls you haven't devoured warm out of the oven will store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
Freeze: Flash-freeze on a tray until solid, then store in a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or quickly in a microwave.
Reheat: In a microwave in 10-15 second bursts or in a foil-covered dish at 350°F/180 °C for 5-8 minutes.
Other Vegan Appetizers to Consider....
If you tried this fluffy vegan dinner rolls
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Fluffy Vegan Dinner Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons instant dry yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon vegan butter divided
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened plain soy milk
- 1 tablespoon melted vegan butter (for brushing)
Instructions
Instructions (Using a Stand Mixer)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ¼ cup vegan butter and soy milk for about 1 minute. Stir until melted and lukewarm (105-110 degrees F).
- Pour the warm vegan butter-milk mixture into the flour mixture. Mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the remaining 1 ½ cups flour and knead on low speed for 2 minutes. Increase to medium speed and knead for 1 more minute, until a smooth dough forms.
- If dry flour remains, knead it in by hand and form a smooth ball. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish. Divide the dough into 15 equal-sized balls and place them in the pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and brush immediately with the remaining tablespoon of melted vegan butter. Serve warm.
Instructions (By Hand):
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat ¼ cup vegan butter and soy milk for about 1 minute. Stir until the vegan butter is melted and the mixture is lukewarm (105-110 degrees F).
- Pour the vegan butter-milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a fork until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining 1 ½ cups flour while kneading by hand for about 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish. Divide the dough into 15 equal balls and arrange in the pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Brush with melted vegan butter and serve warm.
Notes
- Check your yeast!: Make sure it's in date.
- Use warm vegan milk: The ideal temperature is 100-110°F (38-43°C), which is warm but not hot, to activate the yeast. Too hot will kill it. Too cold won't activate it.
- Don't skimp on kneading: This step ensures gluten development for soft, fluffy rolls. Refer to the FAQ to know when the dough is ready.
- When the dough rises: Proof the dough in a warm, draft-free area, as low temperatures inhibit rising.
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