Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe

These sourdough dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and full of tangy flavor—perfect for pairing with soups, roasts, or hearty breakfast sandwiches.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Serving Size 15

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in the milk and set aside.
In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix starter, egg, and sugar. Pour in the butter-milk mixture and combine well.
Add flour and salt, mixing until no dry pockets remain. Switch to the dough hook and knead on low speed for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and stretchy (passes windowpane test).
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (6–10 hours depending on kitchen temperature).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Divide dough into 15 equal portions (about 60–70g each) and shape into rolls. Arrange in a 3×5 layout in the dish.
Cover and let rise again until puffy, about 1½–3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Tips

Use an Active Starter: Make sure your starter is lively and bubbly before mixing—it’s the key to a good rise, especially with this richer dough.
Check with the Windowpane Test: After kneading, stretch a small piece of dough. If it tears before you can see light through it, knead a little longer until it’s strong and elastic.
Be Patient with the First Rise: Don’t rush the bulk fermentation. A slow rise (6–10 hours in a warm spot, 70–75°F / 21–24°C) develops both texture and flavor.
Keep Rolls Even: For uniform baking, divide the dough into equal portions (around 60–70g each). A kitchen scale makes this simple.
Know When They’re Ready: During the second rise (1½–3 hours), rolls should look puffy and nearly doubled. A gentle poke that springs back slowly means they’re good to bake.
Avoid Overbaking: Bake until golden, about 25–30 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, they’re done.
Brush with Butter: Right out of the oven, brush the tops with melted butter. It gives a glossy, soft finish, and a light sprinkle of salt balances the flavor.
Reheat Leftovers Properly: Microwave with a damp paper towel for 10–15 seconds to keep them moist, or warm in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 5–7 minutes.

Room Temperature: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week (reheat to restore softness).
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months, separating rolls with parchment. Reheat from frozen at 300°F (150°C) for 8–10 minutes.
Reheating: Microwave with a damp paper towel for 10–15 seconds or warm in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 5–7 minutes.