There is something special about pulling a pan of warm wheat dinner rolls from the oven. The smell of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen feels like an old tradition that never goes out of style. These soft whole wheat dinner rolls are made with fresh milled whole wheat flour, which gives them a rich flavor and soft texture. They are especially good served warm with homemade whipped honey butter or a spoonful of homemade strawberry jam.
This dinner rolls recipe uses whole wheat flour to create soft, fluffy rolls that are hearty enough for supper but still light enough to enjoy with butter or jam. Many people assume whole wheat dinner rolls will be dense, but that has not been my experience. When the dough is mixed properly and given enough rise time, whole wheat rolls can be just as tender as white bread. These wheat dinner rolls are made with simple ingredients like warm water, milk, butter, and yeast, which help create a soft and flavorful whole wheat bread recipe.
If you enjoy baking with freshly milled grains, these wheat dinner rolls are a wonderful way to use 100% whole wheat flour. The flavor of fresh flour brings depth to the bread, and the texture is perfect for serving alongside soups, stews, or a simple family dinner.
Table of Contents
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Quick Look at This Recipe
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 18 minutes
Total time: About 2 hours
Servings: 12 dinner rolls
Texture: Soft and fluffy with a hearty wheat flavor
Best served: Warm with butter
Why I Like Making Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
One reason I enjoy this wheat dinner roll recipe is that it feels like a natural extension of the breads I already bake regularly. If you keep whole wheat flour in your kitchen or mill your own grain, this is a reliable roll recipe that turns simple ingredients into something satisfying.
These whole wheat dinner rolls are also easy to adapt. They can be shaped into classic dinner rolls and baked on a cookie sheet, or placed closer together in a 9x13 inch baking dish to make soft pull apart rolls.
If you enjoy baking with fresh flour, you may also like my Milled Whole Wheat Sourdough Discard Hot Cross Buns or my Easy Milled Wheat Sourdough Discard Biscuits Recipe, both of which are simple ways to use freshly milled wheat in everyday baking.
Ingredients for Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
3 cups (429g) whole wheat flour (or freshly milled wheat flour)
1 cup (236g) warm water
½ cup (122g) milk, room temperature
2 tablespoons (28g) butter, softened
2 tablespoons (42g) honey or (25g) sugar
2 teaspoons (6g) instant yeast or active dry yeast
1 teaspoon (6g) salt
Optional for finishing
2 tablespoons (28g) melted butter (to brush rolls after baking)
Equipment
Large mixing bowl
Stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment (optional)
Wooden spoon
9x13 inch baking dish
How to Make Wheat Dinner Rolls
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, milk, honey, and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until slightly foamy if using active dry yeast.
Add the soft butter, salt, and whole wheat flour. Stir until a soft dough forms.
If using a stand mixer, place the dough in the bowl fitted with the dough hook attachment and knead for about 6 to 8 minutes. The dough should become smooth and slightly elastic. If mixing by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly greased mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. Once dough has risen, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
Shape each piece into a round dinner roll and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Cover and allow the wheat rolls to rise again for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Then, bake the whole wheat dinner rolls for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Brush the rolls with melted butter while they are still warm.
Tips for Making Soft Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Use fresh flour
Freshly milled whole wheat flour produces a softer and more flavorful whole wheat bread.
Do not add too much flour
The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky rather than stiff.
Allow enough rising time
Whole wheat dough often needs a little extra time to rise properly.
Bake until lightly golden
Overbaking can dry out whole wheat dinner rolls, so watch them carefully during the final few minutes of baking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Can I make 100% whole wheat dinner rolls?
Yes. This dinner roll recipe uses 100% whole wheat flour. If your flour is freshly milled, the rolls will often turn out even softer.
Can I mix the dough in a stand mixer?
Absolutely. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading much easier and helps develop the structure needed for soft wheat dinner rolls.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes. Active dry yeast works well in this bread recipe, but it should be dissolved in warm water first.
How should I store leftover dinner rolls?
Once completely cooled, store the dinner rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
Tried This Dinner Rolls Recipe?
If you make these whole wheat dinner rolls, I would love to hear how they turned out. Leave a comment below and share your baking experience.
You can also share your photos and tag me on facebook, instagram, or pinterest so I can see your finished rolls.
Warm homemade bread always brings people to the table, and this wheat dinner roll recipe is a simple way to make that happen.
Tried this recipe?
I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @idiesfarm and #idiesfarm so I can share your beautiful creation!
Wheat Dinner Rolls (Soft and Fluffy with Fresh Milled Whole Wheat Flour)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment (optional)
- Wooden spoon
- 9 inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 3 cups 429g whole wheat flour (or freshly milled wheat flour)
- 1 cup 236g warm water
- ½ cup 122g milk, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons 28g butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons 42g honey or (25g) sugar
- 2 teaspoons 6g instant yeast or active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon 6g salt
Optional for finishing
- 2 tablespoons 28g melted butter (to brush rolls after baking)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, milk, honey, and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until slightly foamy if using active dry yeast.
- Add the soft butter, salt, and whole wheat flour. Stir until a soft dough forms.
- If using a stand mixer, place the dough in the bowl fitted with the dough hook attachment and knead for about 6 to 8 minutes. The dough should become smooth and slightly elastic. If mixing by hand, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. Once dough has risen, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a round dinner roll and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cover and allow the wheat rolls to rise again for about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Then, bake the whole wheat dinner rolls for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter while they are still warm.
Notes
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Use fresh flour - Freshly milled whole wheat flour produces a softer and more flavorful whole wheat bread. Do not add too much flour - The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky rather than stiff. Allow enough rising time - Whole wheat dough often needs a little extra time to rise properly. Bake until lightly golden - Overbaking can dry out whole wheat dinner rolls, so watch them carefully during the final few minutes of baking.
Welcome!
Hi! I’m Stephanie, also known as Idie. Follow me as I tap into the methods of the past and learn how to make my world a little smaller.
