Name: Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 1 h 38 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F); 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 large egg; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 2 cups whole wheat flour; 1 to 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

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If you’re craving a warm, nourishing addition to your dinner table, look no further than these Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls. With their beautifully golden tops, soft and fluffy centers, and irresistible nutty flavor, they’re the definition of homemade comfort. Whether you’re serving them with a family feast or just want to elevate a simple weeknight meal, these rolls bring healthy goodness and comfort in every bite. Trust me, once you try baking your own Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls come together with a handful of straightforward ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Each component plays a simple yet crucial role, contributing to the rolls’ delicious flavor, soft crumb, and tender texture.

Active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons): This is the magic ingredient that makes your rolls rise and achieve that pillowy softness we all love.
Warm milk (1 cup, about 110°F): Helps activate the yeast and gives richness while making the dough super tender. Buttermilk also works if you want extra tang!
Honey (2 tablespoons): Naturally sweetens the rolls and helps them brown beautifully in the oven.
Unsalted butter, melted (2 tablespoons): Adds moisture and a gentle richness that makes these rolls taste truly homemade.
Large egg (1): Binds the dough together and creates that soft, airy crumb inside.
Salt (1 ½ teaspoons): Enhances every flavor and helps balance the mild sweetness from the honey and flour.
Whole wheat flour (2 cups): Adds nutty flavor, hearty texture, and a boost of fiber. Using fresh flour makes all the difference!
All-purpose flour (1 to 1 ½ cups): Gives structure and helps keep the rolls light instead of too dense—add just enough to get a soft, workable dough.

How to Make Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Start by combining the warm milk, honey, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. The warmth of the milk and the sweetness of the honey wake up the yeast, ensuring your dinner rolls will rise beautifully. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until it looks foamy on top. That’s your sign the yeast is alive and ready to go!

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Once the yeast is nice and bubbly, stir in the melted butter, egg, and salt. These ingredients create an extra tender dough and help the rolls develop their classic golden finish. Give it a gentle mix until everything is nicely combined.

Step 3: Mix in the Flours

First, add your whole wheat flour all at once and mix until it’s mostly incorporated—it might look a little shaggy, but that’s perfect. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, half a cup at a time, until a soft dough starts coming together. You want the dough to be just barely sticky but easy enough to handle.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface (or use your mixer with a dough hook) and knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls benefit from proper kneading, which creates the perfect structure for those gorgeous, puffy rolls. If the dough sticks too much as you knead, sprinkle on just a little more flour.

Step 5: First Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place it somewhere warm and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This is when those essential flavors develop and the texture becomes delightfully soft.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Punch down the risen dough to remove excess air, then divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each piece into a smooth ball with the palm of your hand. Line them up in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Make sure to leave just a little space between each for that perfect pull-apart effect!

Step 7: Second Rise

Cover the baking dish and let the shaped rolls rise again for another 30 to 40 minutes. They’ll puff up beautifully and start filling out the pan. This round of rising is what gives your Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls their ultra-soft and fluffy texture.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the rolls finish their second rise. Once they’re ready and noticeably puffy, bake for 15 to 18 minutes. The tops should be richly golden and the kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly! If you want extra flavor and shine, brush the warm rolls with a little melted butter right after they come out of the oven.

How to Serve Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Garnishes

Before serving, I love brushing the tops of these rolls with a bit more melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for irresistible shine and a little extra flavor. For some visual flair, a pinch of fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme looks so pretty and inviting.

Side Dishes

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls are the perfect companion to just about anything you’re serving. They soak up gravies and soups like a dream, and offer a cozy side to hearty stews, roast chicken, or a vibrant green salad. I even love them simply with a pat of butter or your favorite fruit preserves!

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, try nestling your Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls into a rustic bread basket lined with a linen napkin. Or arrange them in a wreath shape on a round platter for a festive look at holiday meals. If you’re packing lunch, split the rolls and fill with cheese or roasted veggies for adorable mini sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover rolls keep beautifully for up to three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them super fresh, you can wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap before tucking them away. Enjoy them at room temp or give them a quick warm-up before serving.

Freezing

These Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls freeze like a dream. After baking and cooling completely, arrange the rolls in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. For the very best freshness, try to enjoy them within two months. You can also freeze the shaped (unbaked) rolls; simply thaw and let them rise before baking as usual.

Reheating

To bring back that just-baked, steamy texture, reheat leftover rolls in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or microwave briefly (about 10 seconds per roll). A light brush of melted butter before reheating will help revive their fresh-baked aroma and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use only whole wheat flour instead of mixing with all-purpose?

You can use 100 percent whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that the rolls will turn out a bit denser and slightly less fluffy. Blending in all-purpose flour gives that perfect pillowy texture, so try the original ratio first!

What substitutes can I use for honey?

If you want to avoid honey, pure maple syrup or agave nectar work perfectly in this recipe and still bring a lovely subtle sweetness to Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls.

How do I know when my rolls are done baking?

When the tops are a deep golden brown and the rolls sound slightly hollow when tapped, they’re ready. You can also use a thermometer—the centers should reach 190°F (88°C) for the perfect bake.

Can I make the dough ahead and bake later?

Absolutely! Shape the dough into rolls, cover, and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Allow the chilled rolls to come to room temperature and finish rising before baking for the fluffiest results.

What gives these rolls their lovely color?

The mixture of whole wheat flour, the natural sugars in honey, and a brush of melted butter after baking are what give Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls their beautiful golden hue.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling a tray of golden, homemade Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls fresh from the oven. These rolls are healthy, hearty, and brimming with homemade flavor. Go ahead—give them a try, and let them earn a cherished spot at your dinner table!

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 38 minutes (including rising time)
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls are a wholesome and delicious addition to any meal. Made with a blend of whole wheat and all-purpose flours, these rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or holiday feasts.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 to 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

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Instructions

Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, honey, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Mix the Dough: Stir in melted butter, egg, and salt. Add the whole wheat flour and mix until combined. Gradually add all-purpose flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
Knead and Rise: Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape and Bake: Divide dough, shape into balls, and place in a baking dish. Let rise again, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes.
Finish: Brush with melted butter after baking, if desired.