Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (2024)

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These pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls are soft and buttery with that tangy sourdough flavor we love. They're perfect for any meal from summer barbecues to Thanksgiving dinner.

By

Mark Beahm

Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (1)

Mark Beahm

Mark is the head baker at Hjem Kensington, a Danish café in London. He has been developing recipes for home bakers for the last two years.

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Published October 11, 2022

Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (2)

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Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (3)

In This Recipe

  • Sourdough Starter vs Yeast

  • Tips for Success

  • When Is the Dough Ready?

  • How to Plan Ahead

  • Homemade Dinner Roll Recipes We Love

If you’ve been taking care of a sourdough starter for a while, you may be looking for new ways to use it other than your favorite no-knead bread. Or, if you're lucky enough to have a friend lend you some of their starter, here’s a way to showcase it at your next dinner party. These pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls have a chewy top crust and that tangy sourdough flavor we love so much. They're sweet and buttery, soft and fluffy. Sourdough dinner rolls are equally at home with pulled pork and pickles at a summer barbecue or soaking up gravy on your Thanksgiving plate.

The best part is that they're easy to prepare and most of the time spent is hands-off, waiting for the dough to rise. Simply knead the dough in a stand mixer, let the dough rise, shape, rise again, and they're ready to bake.

Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (4)

Sourdough Starter Versus Yeast

While commercial yeast is one isolated strain of yeast for bread baking, sourdough is a culture of wild yeasts and good bacteria present in the environment and your flour. Compared to yeast from the store, sourdough adds extra flavor to breads and rolls, including that characteristic tangy flavor. It also adds strength to the dough and improves the texture for a chewier crust and a fluffy interior.

Baking Tips for Successful Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Sourdough baking has a reputation for being overly difficult and advanced. But that doesn't have to be the case. In addition to making this recipe easy to mix, here are some baking tips to give you some confidence.

  • Make sure to use softened butter. Melted butter will make the dough too greasy and cold butter will not incorporate into the dough.
  • Use warm milk; cold milk will slow down fermentation. Heat the milk in the microwave to lukewarm. If you have an instant-read thermometer, aim for between 100°F and 110°F. It should feel warm to the touch but not scalding hot. If it's a tolerable temperature for you, it's tolerable for the starter.
  • If you have one, I recommend a glass bowl for bulk fermentation (a.k.a. the first rise). It’s easy to pick up the bowl and check the progression of fermentation by looking at the underside of the dough to see how aerated it is.

Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (5)

How To Tell When the Dough Is Ready

With sourdough, it’s sometimes difficult to tell when bulk fermentation is finished and ready for shaping, and when it's done proofing (a.k.a. the second rise) and ready for the oven. Fermentation time also depends on how warm your kitchen is. Seeing how much the dough has risen gives a good clue, but sourdough doesn't necessarily double in size like other yeasted doughs do. The dough will have noticeably risen, look light and airy, and the surface of the dough will be smooth and feel soft to the touch. If it still looks shaggy or feels dense, it needs more time to rise. Give it another 30 minutes and check again. The shaped rolls are fully proofed when they’ve doubled in size and look very puffy. They will have spread enough to touch each other.

How to Plan Ahead

There are a few options for making these rolls ahead of time or breaking the recipe down into smaller steps over more time. You could mix the dough the day before you plan to serve, let it go through its first rise for 2 hours, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge overnight. The next day, continue with shaping and proofing. Rolls that rise in the refrigerator overnight will have a stronger, tangier sourdough flavor.

You can also make the rolls ahead of time and freeze them. I prefer to freeze baked rolls, as I find it takes a long time for the dough to thaw and proof for baking.

Homemade Dinner Roll Recipes We Love

  • Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
  • Milk Bread Rolls
  • Challah Rolls
  • Homemade Crescent Rolls
  • Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Rolls

Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Rise Time6 hrs 30 mins

Total Time7 hrs 5 mins

Servings10to 12 servings

Yield15 rolls

Your sourdough starter is mature and ready to use when it is actively bubbling, has risen to its peak, and there are no streaks left on the container when deflated. I feed mine twice a day, and it tends to be at its peak just before feeding.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240ml)whole milk

  • 1/2 cup (113g) maturesourdough starter (see recipe note)

  • 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan

  • 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour

For optional wash

  • 1 large egg or 3 tablespoons whole milk or melted butter

Method

  1. Warm the milk:

    Heat the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds. It should feel warm to the touch, but not hot. If it's not warm enough, pop in the microwave again and heat in 15-second intervals.

  2. Mix the dough:

    To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the warm milk, mature starter, softened butter, sugar, salt, and flour.

    Mix on low speed until everything comes together and forms a rough ball, about 1 minute. Increase to medium speed and continue kneading for 7 to 10 minutes until the dough clings to the dough hook. It should be smooth and elastic and pull away from the sides of the bowl—it may still stick to the bottom of the bowl. There’s a magic moment when the sticky goop of wet flour suddenly transforms into a cohesive mass that sticks to itself more than other surfaces. Then, the dough is developed enough for bulk fermentation.

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (7)

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (8)

  3. Bulk fermentation:

    Transfer the dough to a clean large bowl and cover. Allow it to rise at room temperature for about 4 hours until it has noticeably risen, but not necessarily doubled in size. It should be light and airy. If it still looks dense, let it rise for another 30 minutes.

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (9)

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (10)

  4. Prepare the pan:

    Liberally grease a 9x13-inch cake pan with butter.

  5. Shape the rolls:

    Scrape the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface. Use a bench scraper or a sharp knife to divide the dough into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, pinching the seam at the bottom to ensure the top surface is taught. Place the shaped rolls into the greased pan evenly spaced in 3 rows of 5.

    If the dough feels too sticky while shaping, instead of sprinkling flour over it, put the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so. You'll find that it's easier to shape cold dough.

    How to Shape Dinner RollsREAD MORE:

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (11)

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (12)

  6. Proof the rolls:

    Cover the pan and set it in a warm spot to rise for about 2 1/2 hours until the rolls have doubled in size and look very puffy. If they haven’t quite risen enough, check back after another 30 minutes.

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (13)

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (14)

  7. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

    Do this about 30 minutes before the rolls are ready to be baked. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven.

  8. Bake the rolls:

    Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with a wash, either a beaten egg, whole milk, or melted butter.

    Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until they’re golden brown on top. An instant thermometer inserted into the center of a roll in the middle of the pan should read 190°F or above.

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (15)

  9. Cool and serve the rolls:

    Let the rolls cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve them warm.

    Store any leftover rolls tightly wrapped on the counter for up to 5 days.

    Baked rolls can be frozen, wrapped in a layer of plastic, then a layer of aluminum foil, for up to 2 months. Let the rolls thaw at room temperature, still wrapped, for about 1 hour. To serve them warm, reheat them for about 15 minutes in a 325°F oven.

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    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (16)

    Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (17)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
459Calories
36g Fat
32g Carbs
5g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10to 12
Amount per serving
Calories459
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g46%
Saturated Fat 22g110%
Cholesterol 93mg31%
Sodium 172mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 39mg3%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 81mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

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Our Favorite Sourdough Dinner Roll Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good sourdough bread? ›

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Making Sourdough
  • Use your sourdough starter at its peak. ...
  • Moisten the surface of the dough before baking for more rise. ...
  • Handle with care: be gentle with your dough. ...
  • Use sifted flour to make your sourdough less dense. ...
  • Soak your flour beforehand for a lighter loaf. ...
  • Just add water for softer sourdough.

What makes sourdough bread taste better? ›

The key taste compounds include salt, which is directly added to the dough, as well as acetic and lactic acid, produced during fermentation.

What is the big deal with sourdough bread? ›

Lactobacillus a kind of bacteria found in sourdough bread more so than other types of bread and it results in higher levels of lactic acid. This is important because it means there is less room for phytic acid, which can be potentially dangerous.

Why is sourdough so popular right now? ›

For many folks, the renewed interest in sourdough is health-related. Some are going even further than baking their own bread: They're milling their own flour from whole wheat berries, too.

What is the best flour for sourdough bread? ›

All-purpose Flour

It strikes a perfect balance of softness and structure, making it an ideal choice for various recipes. Due to its wide availability and affordability, all-purpose flour is often my top recommendation for creating and maintaining a sourdough starter.

How do you make sourdough bread lighter and fluffier? ›

There are several ways to make sourdough bread lighter and less dense, such as:
  1. Increasing the hydration level of your dough, which means adding more water or using less flour. ...
  2. Switching up the type of flour you use, or using a mixture of different flours.
Nov 15, 2015

Why is everyone making sourdough bread 2024? ›

According to Bradley, part of sourdough's continued popularity has to do with its purported health benefits. “I think we make bread that tastes great, is beautiful but it is also one of the healthiest things you could eat.”

Is sourdough bread actually healthier? ›

Sourdough relies on a mix of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria, rather than baker's yeast, to leaven the dough. It's richer in nutrients, less likely to spike your blood sugar, contains lower amounts of gluten, and is generally easier to digest than bread made with baker's yeast.

Is sourdough bread better for your gut? ›

Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system.

Is it OK to eat sourdough bread everyday? ›

Is it healthy to eat sourdough everyday? You could eat sourdough every day, but it isn't necessarily healthy to do so. A healthy diet is characterized by balance and moderation. Whether or not it is healthy for you to consume sourdough every day depends on the rest of your diet.

Is making sourdough cheaper than buying bread? ›

Yes it's cheaper to make your own sourdough at home, as oppose to buying it from a bakery. When you consider that sourdough is literally just flour, water and salt (including the sourdough culture), then depending on the type of flour you use, you could bake a loaf for as little as $1.

Is sourdough bread inflammatory? ›

The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Which state is known for sourdough bread? ›

"San Francisco is known for its sourdough bread and is definitely the city in the U.S. that really put naturally leavened bread on the map." Read on to find out why San Francisco's sourdough reigns supreme and if it's really any different here than around the world.

Why is sourdough better in California? ›

Some say the foggy climate gives San Francisco's sourdough bread a special bounce, and others say it's a specific local strain of yeast that gives the characteristic flavor. That bounce and flavor are notes that pair perfectly with a California Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc.

Why do you have to eat sourdough twice a day? ›

Discard a portion of the starter and feed it with fresh flour and water every 24 hours. Twice-Daily Feeding: In warmer environments or if you prefer a faster fermentation process, you can feed your starter twice a day, approximately every 12 hours. This helps maintain a more active and vigorous starter.

How can I make my sourdough rise better? ›

So don't leave your dough in a warm oven, on a radiator or in sunlight. It will likely be too warm and will dry out your dough too. Instead, find a cosy spot, with no drafts, for your dough to rise. And, if your sourdough starter is struggling to get going, consider finding it a warmer spot too.

What is the best proofing time for sourdough bread? ›

In my experience, the shortest final proof (at room temperature) that I prefer to do is one hour. The longest final proof (at room temperature) is about 3 hours. When going past 2-3 hours in a final proof, the crumb tends to get very gassy and opens up large gas bubbles with a longer countertop proof.

How to get good crust on sourdough bread? ›

Creating the perfect steamy, hot environment is essential to getting a rich, dark sourdough crust. As a home baker, using a Dutch Oven is the easiest and most consistent way to create the steamy environment needed to bake great sourdough bread.

How do you make sourdough bread rise higher? ›

Use Warm Water to Control The Temperature. If the weather is cold and your dough won't budge, please use warm water during the initial mixing phase. It will help to jumpstart the rising process. I actually use warm water 90% of the time when making dough (I tend to use cooler water in the summer).

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