These Buttermilk Yeast Rolls are fluffy, buttery, and hard to resist. The secret technique is a roux paste that creates the most tender rolls that come out perfect every time. Serve warm with your favorite main dishes or for a holiday dinner like Christmas or Easter.

buttermilk yeast rolls on top of a towel on a plate.

The Easiest Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

We all know you can buy pre-made rolls from the frozen section of the grocery store, but why not learn how to make Buttermilk Dinner Rolls at home? It’s so easy and delivers the best melt-in-your-mouth rolls that you’ll want to make every single week.

The secret to the tender texture is the buttermilk and a roux paste. The acidity in the buttermilk breaks down the gluten, while the roux paste helps the rolls rise nice and tall. If there is one ingredient that I almost always have in my fridge, it’s buttermilk.

You’ll need basic pantry staples and a stand mixer to make these rolls. You can also grab a large bowl and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface if you like. If you want homemade rolls in a hurry, make the flakiest buttermilk biscuits instead, they can be on the table in 30 minutes.

The dough rises twice, once in a bowl and then after being shaped into rolls. This double-rise process allows the gluten to build up and then relax, making the rolls super fluffy. Don’t skip this step!

The rolls are brushed with an egg wash and then popped in the oven to bake. And of course, brush them with melted butter as soon as they’re fresh out of the oven for the most luxurious dinner rolls you’ve ever had. Once you make these, you’ll never venture into the freezer section to buy rolls ever again.

You might just think of yeast rolls for special occasions, but try adding these to your Sunday dinner, they are great with everything from a slow cooked pot roast to a quick and easy chicken fried chicken dinner.

buttermilk yeast roll cut in half with butter on a plate with a knife on the side and the rest of the rolls on the other side.

How Buttermilk Rolls Elevate Any Meal

Fluffy and buttery: These rolls are perfectly pillowy and soft with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can’t have just one!
Foolproof: This tried-and-true recipe delivers foolproof results for the best dinner rolls every time.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prep the rolls ahead of time and bake them whenever you like.

2 Building Blocks for the Perfect Yeast Rolls With Buttermilk

You need two main ingredients to make these buttermilk rolls. Make sure to check the recipe card for the full list.

Buttermilk: This ingredient adds a slight tang and richness to the dough. It helps the rolls stay soft and tender. If you’re out of buttermilk, you can make your own buttermilk.
Instant yeast: This type of yeast is the quickest and easiest for making bread, requiring no proofing. It gives the rolls a light texture and quick rise. You can substitute active dry yeast if needed, but you’ll have to activate it in warm water first.

Buttermilk Yeast Rolls Come Together Easily

Step One: Make the Paste

buttermilk roux in a glass bowl with a whisk. — Start by mixing buttermilk and water in a small bowl, then whisk in some flour to create a paste. Microwave this mixture in short intervals, stirring in between, until it thickens. Let it cool to room temperature.

Step Two: Prepare the Dough

In a stand mixer, combine the dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.

milk, egg, melted butter and cooled paste in a glass measuring cup with a whisk. — Whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, egg, melted butter, and cooled paste) until smooth.

Step Three: Knead and Rise

buttermilk yeast roll dough in a glass bowl. — Knead the dough with the dough hook until it’s smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl and cover it.

risen buttermilk yeast roll dough with a hole poked into it resting in a glass bowl. — Let it rise on the counter until it doubles in size, about an hour.

Protip: You can tell if your dough has risen enough by poking a hole in the dough with your finger. If the hole stays, it is ready, if it closes up, let it rise a bit more.

Step Four: Shape the Rolls

buttermilk yeast roll dough rolled out on a wooden cutting board. — Roll out the dough.

buttermilk yeast roll dough rolled out and cut into rectangles on a wooden cutting board. — Cut into 12 pieces with a sharp knife.

buttermilk yeast rolls on a baking sheet that haven't risen yet. — Place the rolls on a baking sheet and let them rise for another hour.

Step Five: Egg Wash and Bake

buttermilk yeast rolls unbaked on a baking sheet. — Brush the rolls with an egg wash (a mix of egg yolk, & cream).

buttermilk yeast rolls on a baking sheet. — Bake until golden brown and fluffy.

Step Six: Finish and Serve

buttermilk yeast rolls on a baking sheet with the melted butter and a pastry brush on the side. — Once the rolls are baked, brush them with melted butter and enjoy them warm.

Make Your Buttermilk Rolls Last

Once the rolls have cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, wrap the rolls in foil and place them in a preheated oven at 300ºF for about 10 minutes or until warm.

Save Time with Make-Ahead Rolls

You can make the dough ahead of time. After the first rise, make into rolls, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, let them come to room temperature, and bake as usual. You can also freeze the dough after shaping it into rolls. Just let them rise and bake when ready to enjoy.

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