Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Rolls
These fluffy sourdough dinner rolls feature a soft interior with a crispy crust, perfect for any occasion from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. Made with simple ingredients and an easy method, they deliver a homemade touch without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 4-6 hours
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups (420 g) bread flour
- ½ cup (120 g) active sourdough starter, bubbly and fed within the last 6-8 hours
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water, around 80°F (27°C)
- 1 ½ teaspoons (9 g) fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) sugar
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- Optional toppings: coarse sea salt or sesame seeds for sprinkling
Instructions
- Activate your starter: Ensure your sourdough starter is bubbly and active. Feed it 4-6 hours prior if needed.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine bread flour, salt, and sugar. Add sourdough starter and warm water. Stir until just combined. Add melted butter and fold gently into the dough.
- Bulk fermentation: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise at room temperature for 3-4 hours. Every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours, perform a quick stretch and fold.
- Shape the rolls: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide dough into 12 equal portions (~3 oz each). Shape each into a tight ball and place spaced evenly in a parchment-lined baking dish or Dutch oven.
- Proof the rolls: Cover loosely and let rise for 1-2 hours until puffy and nearly doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven: Heat oven to 450°F (232°C). If using a Dutch oven, place it inside to heat.
- Bake: If using a Dutch oven, place rolls inside on parchment, cover, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove lid and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until crust is golden and crisp. If using a baking sheet, place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack to create steam and bake rolls for 20-25 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Transfer rolls to a wire rack and cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use a Dutch oven or cover rolls during the first part of baking to trap steam and develop a crispy crust. Handle dough gently to preserve air bubbles. If dough is sticky during shaping, lightly flour hands but avoid over-flouring to keep rolls light. Let rolls rest overnight wrapped for deeper flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive or coconut oil. Bread flour is preferred for chewiness but all-purpose flour can be used with a softer crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 5
Keywords: sourdough dinner rolls, fluffy rolls, crispy crust bread, homemade sourdough, easy bread recipe, sourdough bread rolls