Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
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Air Fryer Dinner Rolls give you that fluffy homemade softness without heating up your entire oven. The rolls come out golden on top with a tender, pillowy inside, brushed with honey butter that melts right in. Each one is light, slightly sweet, and comforting. Making homemade rolls in the air fryer has never been this simple.
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I make this side dish for Sunday family meals, weeknight dinners, potlucks, and holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when I want fresh homemade rolls without the fuss. They’re easy to prep ahead and pair well with so many dishes. They stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Dinner Rolls With Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
I’ll show you how to make soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls from scratch, golden and ready to enjoy straight from your air fryer.
Activate the Yeast
Whisk warm milk, yeast, and sugar in your stand mixer bowl, then cover and let rest for 5 minutes until foamy. Make sure the milk is about 110°F so the yeast activates properly.
I love using my stand mixer for this step because it makes mixing effortless and helps the dough develop a smooth, consistent start.
Mix the Dough
Add the egg, softened butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture, then mix using the dough hook on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the sides with a silicone spatula and add the remaining flour.
Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the dough comes together and starts pulling away from the sides. If it feels too wet or sticky, sprinkle in more flour a tablespoon at a time until soft and slightly tacky but not overly dry or stiff.
Knead Until Smooth
Knead in the mixer for 5 more minutes, or by hand on a floured surface until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when poked.
If it gets too sticky during kneading, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of flour at a time, but don’t overdo it or the rolls will be dense.
Let It Rise
Grease a large bowl with oil or butter, place the dough inside, and turn to coat. Cover with BPA-free plastic wrap, foil, or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours until doubled. I like setting mine near a sunny window or on top of the fridge.
Shape the Rolls
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, then divide it into 14 to 16 equal pieces.
Shape each piece into a small ball, tuck the edges underneath, roll it between your palms until smooth, and arrange the balls in the prepared pan with a little space between each so they can expand.
Second Rise
Cover the shaped rolls with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a towel and let them rise for about 1 hour until puffy and nearly doubled. They should look soft and pillowy, and a gentle press should leave an indent that slowly springs back.
Air Fry Until Golden
Place the pan in the air fryer basket and bake at 320°F (160°C) for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through for even browning.
If the tops start browning too soon, cover them lightly with foil. The bread rolls are done when they’re golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped.
Brush With Honey Butter
Mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 tablespoon of honey and brush over the hot rolls right out of the air fryer. The glaze seeps in for a light sweetness. Then let them cool a few minutes before pulling apart and serving. Enjoy!
Transport Tip
For a potluck or family gathering, let the rolls cool completely to avoid sogginess. Line a insulated carrier or basket with parchment paper or a clean towel, arrange the rolls in batches, cover loosely, and warm briefly before serving.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk warmed
- 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast 1 pack
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature and cut into 4 pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter mixed with 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk warm milk, yeast and sugar. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.1 cup whole milk, 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar
- Add the egg, butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Using the dough hook or paddle attachment, mix at a low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl sides, then add the remaining flour. Beat on medium speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides, about 2 minutes. If the dough is too wet to knead, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s workable, soft, and slightly sticky.1 large egg, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Continue kneading in the mixer for another 5 minutes, or knead by hand on a floured surface for 5 minutes. If the dough gets too sticky, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time, but avoid adding too much to keep it soft.
- Grease a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning to coat it with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, foil, or a towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Alternatively, use a cast-iron skillet or a lined baking sheet.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 14-16 equal pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball and arrange in the prepared pan.
- Cover the shaped rolls with plastic wrap, foil, or a towel and let them rise until puffy, about 1 hour.
- Baked the rolls in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 15 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through. If they brown too quickly, tent with foil. Remove from the oven, brush with honey butter if desired, and let cool for a few minutes before serving.2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter mixed with 1 tablespoon honey
Notes
- Check your yeast freshness: If the yeast doesn’t foam after 5 minutes, it’s inactive. Start fresh with new yeast and use warm milk, not hot.
- Don’t add too much flour: The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Adding too much flour will make the rolls dense instead of fluffy.
- Create a warm rising spot: If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven to the lowest setting for 1 minute, turn it off, then place the covered bowl inside to rise to create the ideal environment for yeast activation without overheating the dough.
- Make-ahead option: Shape the rolls, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight for the second rise. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before air frying so they’re not cold in the center, which helps them cook evenly.
- Adjust air fryer time: Every air fryer is different; start checking at 12 minutes and bake longer if needed. If they brown fast, drop the temp to 300°F to adjust if they’re browning too quickly or need temperature reduction.
- Flash freeze for storage: Freeze baked rolls on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag so they don’t stick together or lose their shape.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay soft if sealed while still slightly warm, trapping a bit of moisture.
To reheat, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15–20 seconds, or warm them in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 5–7 minutes, covered with foil, to keep them soft.
For longer storage, freeze the rolls in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely before freezing so condensation doesn’t make them soggy.
Thaw at room temperature for an hour, then reheat in the air fryer at 320°F for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and the tops crisp up slightly.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Dinner Rolls
I serve them with roasted tomato soup, vegetable stew, or chili when you want something warm and comforting to dip into.
They’re also perfect alongside holiday mains like lentil loaf, nut roast, lasagna, or shepherd’s pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Serve them with herb butter, whipped honey butter, or garlic butter, and everyone will keep reaching for more.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I’ve got other air fryer recipes that are just as warm, quick, and comforting as these rolls.
