Super Soft and Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Making super soft and fluffy sourdough dinner rolls is a great way to use your sourdough starter to create flavorful, and slightly tangy bread rolls. These pull-apart rolls are delicious with a pat of butter and your favorite jam, or as a side to any meal.
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Are Sourdough Rolls Healthy?
Sourdough rolls can be a healthier bread option, especially if made with whole grains and less sugar, not to mention the added benefit of the fermentation process. But their overall healthiness depends on these several factors:
1. Fermentation Process
- Benefits: Sourdough rolls are made through a natural fermentation process using wild yeast and bacteria from the sourdough starter. This fermentation helps break down some of the gluten and phytates (naturally occurring compounds in grains that can interfere with nutrient absorption), which may make the bread easier to digest for some people.
- Probiotic Potential: Sourdough can contain beneficial bacteria (lactic acid bacteria), which may support gut health. However, the amount of live probiotics in the rolls after baking is minimal since the high heat of baking kills most of these bacteria.
2. Whole Grains
- Healthier Options: If you use whole wheat flour or a combination of whole wheat and white flour for your sourdough rolls, they can be a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron and magnesium. Whole grains can also provide more nutrients than refined flours. Because of this I tend to replace some of the white flour with freshly milled whole grain.
- Refined Flour: Traditional sourdough rolls made with white all-purpose flour will still provide some essential nutrients but less fiber and fewer minerals than whole grain versions. When baking with all purpose flour, I prefer organic and unbleached, which can be found at Walmart.
3. Lower Glycemic Index
- Slow Rise: The fermentation process in sourdough tends to lower the glycemic index (GI) of the bread compared to breads made with commercial yeast. This means that sourdough rolls may have a slower impact on blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for people managing blood sugar or insulin sensitivity.
4. Fewer Additives and Preservatives
- Minimal Ingredients: Sourdough bread typically uses only a few simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and the starter. Unlike some commercial bread, sourdough rolls tend to be free from artificial additives, preservatives, and excessive sugars. This makes them a cleaner option compared to many mass-produced rolls.
5. Calories and Fats
- Calorie Content: Like most bread, sourdough rolls are still relatively calorie-dense, and consuming them in moderation is important for maintaining a balanced diet. A typical sourdough roll made with white flour can have around 100-150 calories, depending on size.
- Fats: If the recipe includes butter or oil, the fat content will increase, but it will still be relatively low compared to other baked goods (like pastries).
6. Salt Content
- Moderation: Like most bread, sourdough rolls can contain a moderate amount of salt, which contributes to sodium intake. Eating bread in moderation is important if you are watching your sodium intake for heart health or other conditions.
7. Allergen Considerations
- Gluten Sensitivity: Sourdough bread is made with wheat flour, so it is not gluten-free. If you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, sourdough rolls are not an option unless they are specifically made with gluten-free flour.
Equipment for Soft Rolls
Stand mixer (or can knead by hand)
Pastry brush
Medium mixing bowl
Parchment paper
Airtight container or freezer bag for storage
Ingredients for Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls
- 1/2 cup (100g) active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
- 1 cup (225g) warm water (can substitute warm milk)
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey or sugar
- 3 1/4 cups (390g) all-purpose flour (you can mix with whole wheat flour for added flavor, bread flour works too!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (salted can also be used for added flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (to grease the pan)
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
Sourdough Roll Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Starter
- If your sourdough starter is not already active, feed it a few hours before using it. Make sure it’s a bubbly sourdough starter that has doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- In stand mixer bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm water, and honey (or sugar). Mix until the sweetener dissolves.
- Add the flour and salt, stirring to combine. Once the dough comes together, knead it either by hand or with a stand mixer (using the dough hook attachment) for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Add the softened butter after the dough has come together and knead it in until fully incorporated.
Step 3: First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl and cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature for a bulk fermentation time of 4-6 hours, or until it has doubled in size. If you’re short on time, you can also do a cold rise overnight in the fridge. We prefer to overnight proof because this helps develop more flavor.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
- Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a round ball by folding the dough under itself.
- Place the shaped rolls on a greased (or lined with parchment paper) baking dish or in a baking pan, leaving a little space between each roll. For a tighter, softer roll, place them closer together.
Step 5: Second Rise
- Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and let them rise for about 1-2 hours, or until they have puffed up.
Step 6: Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- If desired, whisk an egg and brush the tops of the rolls for a golden finish.
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your soft and flavorful sourdough rolls with butter or as a side dish to your meals!
More Sourdough Recipes
The Best Sourdough Hot Cross Buns Overnight Recipe
Buttery and Flaky Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits
Easy Sourdough Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Easy Sourdough Discard Peach Quick Bread Recipe
The Best Sourdough Zucchini Bread Discard Recipe
Super Soft and Fluffy Sourdough Dinner Rolls Recipe
Making super soft and fluffy sourdough dinner rolls is a great way to use your sourdough starter to create flavorful, and slightly tangy bread rolls. These pull-apart rolls are delicious with a pat of butter and your favorite jam, or as a side to any meal.
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Servings: 0
Equipment
- Kitchen scale
- Stand mixer (or can knead by hand)
- Bench Scraper or bench knife
- Pastry brush
- Medium mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Airtight container or freezer bag for storage
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (100g) active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly)
- 1 cup (225g) warm water (can substitute warm milk)
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey or sugar
- 3 1/4 cups (390g) all-purpose flour (you can mix with whole wheat flour for added flavor, bread flour works too!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened (salted can also be used for added flavor)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil to grease the pan
- 1 egg for egg wash, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Starter
- If your sourdough starter is not already active, feed it a few hours before using it. Make sure it’s a bubbly sourdough starter that has doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- In stand mixer bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm water, and honey (or sugar). Mix until the sweetener dissolves.
- Add the flour and salt, stirring to combine. Once the dough comes together, knead it either by hand or with a stand mixer (using the dough hook attachment) for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Add the softened butter after the dough has come together and knead it in until fully incorporated.
Step 3: First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl and cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at room temperature for a bulk fermentation time of 4-6 hours, or until it has doubled in size. If you’re short on time, you can also do a cold rise overnight in the fridge. We prefer to overnight proof because this helps develop more flavor.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
- Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a round ball by folding the dough under itself.
- Place the shaped rolls on a greased (or lined with parchment paper) baking dish or in a baking pan, leaving a little space between each roll. For a tighter, softer roll, place them closer together.
Step 5: Second Rise
- Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and let them rise for about 1-2 hours, or until they have puffed up.
Step 6: Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- If desired, whisk an egg and brush the tops of the rolls for a golden finish.
- Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes or until they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let the rolls cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your soft and flavorful sourdough rolls with butter or as a side dish to your meals!
