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Quick and easy to make, these deliciously soft and fluffy Whole Wheat Rolls make the perfect amount for your family! They make a hearty side to any meal.
Step by step photos and instructions below!
I love baking bread. There’s definitely a certain sense of accomplishment when working with yeast and it actually turning out. I also like that I know what ingredients are in them. An added bonus is that it makes the house smell good too!
I usually only need a few rolls vs a few dozen, but if you need more – you can easily double the recipe, right? This recipe makes 8, which is usually the perfect amount in my house.
These rolls are light, fluffy and the perfect side to any meal! Eat with or without butter, but definitely make them today!
One of my favorite yeasted recipes is my homemade cinnamon rolls, so give those a go after you make these!
Why this recipe works
- This roll recipe makes the perfect amount for a family to have these as a side with dinner. They’re super easy to make with a stand mixer, or a bread machine OR by hand!
- Making them in a cast iron skillet isn’t necessary, you can easily just bake them on a cookie sheet, or casserole dish if that is what you have. Just be sure to leave a little space between them to allow them to puff up in the oven.
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
I use whole wheat flour to make these rolls. If you prefer white rolls using all purpose flour, try these 30 minute dinner rolls instead.
Rise time will depend on the temperature of your home. A cooler temp will make rising slower, warmer temp will be faster!
You can sweeten with honey or sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer.
Temperatures:
- The melted butter should be cooled to room temperature.
- The eggs should be room temperature.
- The milk should be warmed to about 110 degrees F.
How long do Whole Wheat Rolls stay fresh?
These rolls are still good the next day, and in fact 3 days later the rolls are still fresh and soft. I have no data past 3 days though because we always eat them all.
Can I make Whole Wheat Rolls by hand?
You can, OF COURSE, do this the hard way and knead by hand. But, if you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, or a bread machine – that is just way easier.
What to use if you don’t have a cast iron skillet
Making them in a cast iron skillet isn’t necessary, you can easily just bake them on a cookie sheet, or casserole dish if that is what you have. Just be sure to leave a little space between them to allow them to puff up in the oven.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make whole wheat dinner rolls from scratch:
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Make the dough.
Add all ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook.
Mix until it forms a rough dough, then knead for 10 minutes, until a soft dough is formed. It should be smooth and elastic.
Transfer dough to a large bowl (greased with a little oil) and cover with plastic wrap.
Let rolls rise in a warm place, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about an hour)
Punch down, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly..
Divide dough into 8 balls, and and place on a baking sheet, or a greased skillet.
Let rolls rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about half an hour)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for around 20 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.
Remove from oven, and allow to cool.
Devour.
More delicious bread recipes:
- 30 Minute Dinner Rolls. Make these dinner rolls from scratch in just about 30 minutes!! These are great for holidays, weeknights, basically – any time you need them. Using a stand mixer and simple ingredients, you can have these homemade rolls on the table FAST!!
- Red Lobster Biscuits. Soft, fluffy biscuits packed with cheddar cheese, and brushed with flavorful garlic butter after baking, these cheddar biscuits are dreamy!
- Homemade Hamburger Buns. These soft rolls are so easy to make, taste amazing and go perfectly with burgers! Make these ahead for burger night!
- Fluffy Golden Skillet Cornbread – a cinch to make, and is a fantastic side for any meal!
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Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Suggested Equipment
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into your stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook.
- Mix until it forms a rough dough, then knead for 10 minutes, until dough is soft and pliable.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap.
- Let rolls rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about an hour)
- Punch down, and turn out onto a lightly floured counter.
- Divide dough into 8 balls, and and place on a baking sheet, or a greased skillet,
- Let rolls rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about half an hour)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for around 20 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.
- Remove from oven, and allow to cool.
- Devour.
Tips & Notes:
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Add all ingredients in your bread machine in order recommended by manufacturer.
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Start the Dough setting. Check after a few minutes to see if it needs more liquid or flour.
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When cycle has finished, remove from the pan, and turn out onto a lightly floured counter.
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Divide dough into 8 balls, and and place on a baking sheet, or a greased skillet.
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Let rolls rise until doubled (about half an hour).
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for around 20 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.
-
Remove from oven, and allow to cool.
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Devour.
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Add all ingredients into a large bowl, and mix until if forms a rough dough.
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Turn out onto a floured counter top, and knead until until dough is soft and pliable (this will take around 10 minutes)
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Transfer dough to a greased bowl, and cover with plastic wrap.
-
Let rolls rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about an hour)
-
Punch down, and turn out onto a lightly floured counter.
-
Divide dough into 8 balls, and and place on a baking sheet, or a greased skillet,
-
Let rolls rise, covered with a clean kitchen towel until doubled in size (about half an hour)
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for around 20 minutes or until they are a light golden brown.
-
Devour
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Update: This recipe was originally published in November of 2017. It was republished with updated photos in March of 2021.
Linda Kyle says
I am so excited!! I have made lots of bread and have a wonderful breadmaker, but have not made dinner rolls before. I made your whole wheat rolls yesterday and they turned out beautiful. So delicious! I made them exactly as you did, except that I brushed them with melted butter and sprinkled sesame seeds on top before baking. Thank you for the recipe. My husband loves the pure whole wheat.
Vivian says
These whole wheat dinner rolls were delicious! They didn’t turn out that sweet, so I dipped them in granulated sugar. Yum!
Kati says
Great recipe! I made these rolls to go along with dinner tonight and they turned out wonderfully. I used the bread machine method and it really simplified the process. Will be saving this recipe for future use!
Cindy says
This is an excellent recipe!!! I have used many recipes and I think this is my favourite. The whole wheat rolls are delicious and so very soft. I also made a loaf of bread with it and I will find out tonight how well it slices etc.
Thank you for the stand mixer recipe, it did all of the kneading for me, so it ws a very fast recipe to put together.
Cindy
Angela Flores says
I gotta give these a try! Thankyou! ?
Angie says
I gotta give these a try! Thankyou! ?
Melissa Griffiths says
I love a good dinner roll – and when they’re wheat, I can eat several, right? It’s a health food?
Kylee says
Absolutely!
Kate says
I never really need a dozen rolls either, although we certainly would eat them!
Kathy says
Bread is definitely my weakness and these rolls look amazing! I will triple the recipe because I know they will be a hit!!