If you’ve been searching for the perfect way to elevate your bread game, look no further than this Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe. These rolls are a delightful mix of wholesome oats and tender crumb that gives you both a satisfying texture and irresistible warmth with every bite. Soft, pillowy, and lightly golden, they bring a cozy, homemade charm to any table, whether it’s a regular family meal or a special dinner gathering. Trust me, once you try making these rolls, you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed bread without their gentle oat-infused goodness!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are deceptively simple but play essential roles in creating the tenderness, flavor, and texture that define these rolls. Each item was carefully chosen to blend the hearty nuttiness of oats with the classic softness of homemade bread.
- 350 g Strong White Bread Flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and softness.
- 100 g Strong Wholemeal Bread Flour: Adds a touch of wholesome, nutty flavor and a rustic texture.
- 150 g Porridge Oats (plus extra for sprinkling): Infuses that signature hearty oat flavor and offers delightful texture.
- 12 g Easybake Yeast: The magic that makes the dough rise perfectly fluffy and light.
- 10 g Fine Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- 5 g Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with yeast activation.
- 30 g Unsalted Butter (Melted): Brings richness and keeps the rolls irresistibly soft.
- 350 ml Lukewarm Water: Hydrates the dough just right for softness without stickiness.
- 50 ml Milk (For brushing): Gives the rolls a lovely golden sheen and adds a gentle flavor.
How to Make Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Combine and Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by gathering your strong white bread flour, wholemeal bread flour, and porridge oats in a large mixing bowl. Spread the yeast and fine sea salt on opposite sides of the bowl so they don’t come into contact immediately—this ensures your yeast activates properly. Making a well in the center is important to gradually mix in your wet ingredients without overwhelming the yeast early on.
Step 2: Activate and Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
In a small bowl, combine three-quarters of the lukewarm water with the honey until it dissolves nicely. Pour this into the flour’s central well to wake up that yeast with a touch of sweetness. Add the melted butter after so it enriches the mixture without affecting the yeast’s rise.
Step 3: Forming the Dough
Mix everything together gently, gradually adding the remaining water as needed. Your goal is a dough that’s soft and pliable but not sticky—if it gets too wet, a little extra flour will bring it back to balance. This step is key to that irresistibly soft texture.
Step 4: Knead to Perfection
Turn your dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 to 10 minutes. This process develops the gluten and transforms your mixture into a smooth, elastic dough that’s ready to rise. Kneading is a bit of a workout, but the results are worth every bit of effort!
Step 5: First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or clingfilm, and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour. Watch as it doubles in size — this first rise is when the dough gets airy and fluffy, which is the foundation of the perfect roll.
Step 6: Shape the Rolls
After the rise, punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles and divide it into 12 equal pieces (70-80 grams each is ideal). Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them on a greased or parchment-lined baking tray. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle extra oats for visual appeal and a delightful crunch.
Step 7: Second Rise
Cover your formed rolls with a damp cloth or place them inside a large plastic bag, allowing them to rise again for 30 minutes. This final proofing gives those rolls the fluffiest, lightest texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Heat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and bake the rolls for 12-15 minutes. The sight of their beautifully browned tops and the hollow sound when you tap the bottoms are signs your rolls are baked just right—crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Step 9: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the rolls cool on a wire rack so they don’t sweat and become soggy. This resting time locks in the texture and makes them perfect for spreading butter or filling for sandwiches. And then… enjoy every soft, fluffy bite!
How to Serve Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling extra oats on top before baking adds an appealing rustic finish and a slight chew that complements the soft crumb. After baking, a light brush of melted butter can give your rolls a glossy sheen and extra richness that’s simply irresistible at the table.
Side Dishes
These oatmeal dinner rolls are a fantastic companion to hearty stews, soups, or grilled meats. Their tender crumb provides a perfect vessel to soak up savory sauces or butters, making every meal feel like a comforting feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing them horizontally and spreading with herbed cream cheese or honey butter for a quick snack. You can also turn these rolls into mini sliders filled with pulled pork or roasted vegetables for a fun appetizer that will wow your guests with both flavor and softness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To retain freshness, gently reheat them in the oven wrapped in foil or briefly in a microwave covered with a damp paper towel.
Freezing
For longer storage, these rolls freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep well for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before reheating to recover their soft, fluffy texture.
Reheating
Reheat rolls in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 5-10 minutes, wrapped in foil to keep moisture in. Alternatively, microwave each roll wrapped in a damp paper towel for 15-20 seconds. Either method restores the freshness and makes them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use all white bread flour for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute all white bread flour if you prefer a lighter texture, but using some wholemeal flour adds a wonderful nuttiness and depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the oats.
Do I need to use porridge oats, or can regular oats work?
Porridge oats are ideal because they are softer and break down slightly during baking, enriching the texture. Regular rolled oats can work, but they might produce a chewier roll with a different mouthfeel.
Can I make these rolls vegan?
Absolutely! Replace the butter with a plant-based alternative and swap the milk brush with a splash of plant milk or even water to get a similar golden finish.
How long should I knead the dough by hand?
Kneading by hand typically takes around 8 to 10 minutes to achieve a smooth, elastic dough, which is crucial for producing those soft and fluffy rolls.
Why do I need two rises for these rolls?
The first rise develops the dough’s flavor and texture, while the second rise after shaping creates the wonderful fluffiness and perfect size. Skipping either can lead to denser rolls.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about baking these Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe from scratch—each step is like a little act of love for your kitchen and your guests. Whether you’re a bread novice or a seasoned baker, this recipe brings warmth and wholesomeness to any meal. Give it a try and discover your new favorite way to enjoy soft, oat-kissed rolls that feel like a fresh hug every time
Print
Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Homemade Soft and Fluffy Oatmeal Dinner Rolls combine the hearty texture of wholemeal flour and porridge oats with a tender, softly risen crumb. Perfectly golden and light, these rolls make a wholesome accompaniment to any meal or a delicious base for sandwiches.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 350 g Strong White Bread Flour
- 100 g Strong Wholemeal Bread Flour
- 150 g Porridge Oats (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 12 g Easybake Yeast
- 10 g Fine Sea Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 5 g Honey
- 30 g Unsalted Butter (Melted)
- 350 ml Lukewarm Water
- 50 ml Milk (For brushing)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the strong white bread flour, wholemeal bread flour, and porridge oats to create the base for the dough.
- Add Yeast and Salt: Place the yeast and fine sea salt on opposite sides of the dry ingredients then make a well in the centre for the wet ingredients.
- Dissolve Honey in Water: In a separate small bowl, mix three-quarters of the lukewarm water with the honey until completely dissolved, then pour this into the dry ingredients’ well.
- Add Melted Butter: Incorporate the melted unsalted butter into the mixture for richness and flavor.
- Form Dough: Stir all ingredients together until a dough forms. Gradually add the remaining water as needed to achieve a soft but non-sticky dough. Add extra flour in small amounts if the dough is too sticky.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Proof: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and prepare a baking tray by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper.
- Shape Rolls: Punch down the risen dough, divide it into 12 equal pieces (70-80g each), shape each into a ball, place them spaced on the baking tray, then brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with extra oats.
- Second Proof: Cover the shaped rolls with a damp cloth or place inside large plastic bags and let them rise for another 30 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake: Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown on top and hollow sounding when tapped underneath.
- Cool: Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to add too much flour while kneading; the dough should be soft to ensure fluffy rolls.
- Using lukewarm water activates the yeast effectively for proper rising.
- Milk brushing on top helps to create a beautiful golden crust.
- Extra oats sprinkled on top add texture and visual appeal.
- Ensure proper kneading to develop gluten which contributes to the light and fluffy texture.
- Let the rolls cool before cutting to avoid a gummy texture inside.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
