Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe

These soft and hearty oatmeal dinner rolls are perfect for any occasion. Follow this step-by-step guide for consistently delicious results.

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Keyword oatmeal, rolls

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Rising Time 1 45

Total Time 2 40

Servings rolls

Calories 210kcal

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Stir in 1 cup of quick-cooking oats and cook for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and immediately add 3 tablespoons of butter, 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until combined. (TIP: Adding salt now won’t stop the yeast from growing, though it may slightly slow the rise, which can enhance the flavor.)

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the remaining ⅓ cup of cold water & sugar to the cooked oatmeal.
Allow the oatmeal mixture to cool to:
• 90–110°F for active dry yeast
• 120–130°F for quick, instant, or rapid-rise yeast
Stir in 1/3 cup of water (or add a few ice cubes to speed up cooling).
Sprinkle 3 teaspoons of yeast over the cooled oatmeal mixture. Stir gently to ensure the yeast is fully hydrated.
Let the mixture sit undisturbed for 5–10 minutes, until it becomes foamy or slightly lighter in texture.

Place 3 ½ cups of flour into a large mixing bowl or your stand mixer bowl.
Pour the oatmeal mixture into the flour and stir with a spatula or bread whisk until a rough dough forms.
By Stand Mixer: Attach the dough hook and knead on low speed, adding flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is soft, slightly sticky, and elastic.
By Hand: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding flour gradually. Be patient—sticky dough will come together as the flour absorbs. Aim for a soft, slightly tacky texture.

Shape the dough into a smooth ball by folding the edges under.
Lightly grease a bowl with oil and place the dough in, smooth-side down, to coat. Flip it over, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour or until doubled in size.
To check if the dough is ready, press it gently with your finger. If the indentation remains, it’s ready.

Divide the dough into 15 equal portions. For evenly sized rolls, weigh the dough and divide by 15.
Shape each portion into a smooth ball:
Option 1: Pull and tuck the edges under to form a smooth top.
Option 2 (Preferred): Lightly oil your hands, then cup the dough and roll it on a counter in a circular motion to create a smooth, tight ball.

Place the rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, evenly spaced. Cover and let rise for another hour.

While rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter for extra flavor and shine.
Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving. These are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for later.