air fryer dinner rolls in a basket
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Air Fryer Dinner Rolls From Scratch

These air fryer dinner rolls are here to change your bread game! They’re soft, buttery, and golden brown, giving you homemade goodness without heating up the whole kitchen. Perfectly fluffy and ready in no time, these rolls make every meal feel extra special.

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket

Ingredients

You’ll need warm milk, active dry yeast, sugar, an egg, butter, salt, and all-purpose flour.

Why Each Ingredient is Essential

Milk gives these rolls their pillowy softness and adds a subtle sweetness. Yeast is the magic behind their fluffy rise, while sugar feeds the yeast and enhances flavor. The egg adds richness and helps bind everything together, while butter brings that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Salt balances the sweetness and highlights the flavor, and flour is the backbone that holds it all together.

How to Make Air Fryer Dinner Rolls

Start by activating the yeast. Combine warm milk, a touch of sugar, and yeast, letting it sit for 5 minutes until it’s foamy (this is yeast’s way of saying, “I’m ready to work!”).

Next, mix in the egg, softened butter, salt, and half of the flour. Using a dough hook or your hands, work the mixture into a sticky dough. Add the rest of the flour and knead until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and slightly stretchy.

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and form it into a ball. Let it rest in an oiled bowl, covered, for about 1–2 hours, until it doubles in size. Once it’s risen, divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each one into a ball. Place them snugly in an oiled pie pan that fits in your air fryer.

air fryer dinner rolls in air fryer

Let the rolls rise again for another hour, then pop them into the air fryer at 300°F for 15 minutes. When they’re golden and gorgeous, pull them out and brush with melted butter for that final touch of love.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast? Yes, just skip the activation step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer? No problem! You can knead the dough by hand—it’s a great workout and just as effective.

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket

Can I make these without an air fryer? Definitely! Bake them in the oven at 375°F for about 15–20 minutes.

When to Serve These Rolls

These rolls are versatile and fit into any meal. Serve them with soups, salads, pasta, or even Thanksgiving dinner. They’re also perfect for breakfast with a smear of jam or butter.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back their fresh-baked warmth.

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket

My Love Affair with Bread

Listen, I’m a bread-on-the-side-of-every-meal kind of girl. Growing up, dinner wasn’t complete without a basket of rolls on the table, and that tradition stuck with me. Now, my kids have inherited my carb-loving ways. Every time I make these rolls, they’re the first to grab one, slather it with butter, and give me a “this is the best thing ever” look. And let’s not even talk about my husband—he treats these like a main course.

Tips for Making This Recipe with Kids

Kids love getting their hands in dough! Let them help shape the rolls into balls; they don’t have to be perfect. The air fryer is also a fun, safe way for kids to see their efforts turn golden and delicious. Plus, brushing butter on top is a job even the littlest hands can handle.

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket

Why Make Bread From Scratch?

There’s something magical about turning simple ingredients into soft, golden rolls. It’s a labor of love, and the taste is unmatched by anything store-bought. Plus, making bread from scratch is a fantastic way to slow down and enjoy the process.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is foolproof because the air fryer creates the perfect environment for even baking and a golden crust. The warm milk and active yeast give the rolls their fluffy texture, and the second rise ensures they’re light and airy. Plus, the ingredients are straightforward, and the steps are simple—perfect for anyone ready to dive into homemade bread without stress.

Here are some more delicious bread recipes to try:

air fryer dinner rolls in a basket
Yield: 16 Rolls

Air Fryer Dinner Rolls From Scratch

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

These air fryer dinner rolls are soft, buttery, and golden brown, perfect for any meal. Quick and easy to make, they bring the joy of homemade bread to your table without the hassle!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk, 110°F
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 stick salted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon of sugar, yeast, and warmed milk. Gently stir a few times and let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the egg, butter, salt, remaining sugar, and half of the flour. Using a dough hook on your stand mixer, work the mixture on low for 30 seconds. Using a spatula or scraper, remove the mixture from the walls of the bowl. 
  3. Add the remaining flour and continue to work the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the dough forms. You may need to stop it and scrape mixture from the walls to continue working it into the dough. Dough should be soft, smooth, and slightly elastic. 
  4. Remove the dough onto a slightly floured flat surface. Gently work the dough into itself forming a ball for 2 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the mixing bowl with some oil and return the dough. Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours depending on the room temperature and humidity. The dough should double in size. 
  6. After dough has risen, place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into 16. Work each roll into a ball. 
  7. Place the rolls in a lightly oiled pie pan. We use a 9” pan as it fits our air fryer. Fit as many as you can leaving very little room between rolls. 
  8. Cover and let rise a second time for 1 hour. 
  9. Place pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 300°f for 15 minutes until rolls are golden brown. 
  10. Let the rolls cool and you can brush some butter on top if you like. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 132Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 21mgSodium 101mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 4g

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