The BEST Fluffy Potato Rolls Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2024)

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My life wouldn’t be complete without dinner rolls, so I made more for you. These Potato Rolls are the fluffiest homemade dinner rolls you’ll ever eat.

These rolls are made with instant potatoes and yeast but they’re EASY, I promise. You can make these even if you’ve never made dinner rolls from scratch before, I promise!

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Easy Potato Rolls

They’re so good I dare you to try to eat just one! Ever since I first made homemade dinner rolls (and her sister, small batch dinner rolls), I’ve been dying to make Potato Rolls. One, they just sound cool (potatoes IN BREAD??)and two, potato bread is so darn good that I knew homemade would be even better, and I was right!

Potato rolls are a simple yeasted dinner roll but they also have instant mashed potatoes inside. If you’ve ever had potato bread from the grocery store, you know why these rolls are so good.

Why you’ll love this recipe

There’s something about the potato inside that adds a fluffy texture to any bread or roll. It makes them softer, I think, and adds the teeniest bit of flavor. If you’re on the hunt for a fluffy dinner roll, you’ve found it with this recipe.

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What are potato rolls made of?

  • Instant potatoes – Some recipes use leftover mashed potatoes, but I like using instant potatoes in my rolls. Other than using instant potatoes, this recipe is very close to my homemade dinner roll recipe.
  • Instant Yeast – do not use active dry yeast!
  • Flour – All purpose flour is what I used, although you can equally substitute bread flour.
  • Sugar – a bit of granulated sugar helps activate the yeast.
  • Salt – For flavor
  • Milk – Use any fat content
  • Water
  • Butter – for flavoring and to make soft dinner rolls
  • Egg – the fat in the yolk helps keep these nice and fluffy

Which yeast is best for dinner rolls?

I prefer to use instant yeast nowadays. I always used to use active dry yeast but instant yeast is so much faster and easier (and foolproof!)

Instant yeast has different names depending on the brand, but I normally use Rapid Rise Yeast, which is a Fleischmann’s Yeast product.

Using instant yeast cuts down the time it takes to make yeasted recipes for two reasons:

  1. You don’t have to proof the yeast – just whisk it with the dry ingredients and then add in the hot wet ingredients.
  2. It only requires a 10 minute “rest” before the dough is shaped and allowed a final rise.
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How to make Potato Rolls

  • Whisk your dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Heat your wet ingredients to between 120°F-130°F. Add potato flakes to the measuring cup.
  • Add the warm water and liquids and egg to the mixer with the dry ingredients until it forms a soft dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
  • Allow to rest for 10 minutes (the magic of instant yeast). Divide into 12 rolls.
  • Place in prepared baking dish. Let double in size in a warm place.
  • Bake these until they’re nice and golden brown. They’ll get golden like this just in the oven without any special topping. I love to brush them with melted butter after they come out of the oven for a nice flavorful glossy look.
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Tips for kneading potato dinner rolls

Yes, whenever you work with yeast you’re probably going to have to knead. I’ve grown to love kneading – it’s cathartic.

A few simple tips will help you knead easier:

  1. Use a stand mixer if you have one. You can do this by hand but if you have a stand mixer it cuts the kneading time in half.
  2. The dough will be slightly sticky when you are done mixing it. Be sure to turn it out onto a well-floured surface and dust it with more flour.
  3. Knead the dough, adding flour as needed if it’s sticky, until the dough forms a ball and bounces back when touched with two fingers.
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How long do fluffy rolls need to rise?

Because we’re using Rapid Rise yeast, they rest for 10 minutes after kneading. Form them into 12 equal sized balls and place them in the pan. Then, the rolls need to double in size before baking.

The rising will take about an hour on the counter. You can speed up the rising process by:

  1. Placing the pan in a warm oven (about 200°F).
  2. Set the pan on the oven while it’s preheating.
  3. Place the pan on a rack set over a large roasting pan full of boiling water.

Those three will shorten your rising time up to about half.

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FAQs

How do you know what your water temperature is?

I recommend using an instant read thermometer for best results! If you don’t have a thermometer, think hot bathwater.

What kind of flour do I use to make potato dinner rolls?

When it comes to flour, I love using all-purpose flour in my bread recipes. It’s much handier to use a flour most people already have on hand. The other ingredients in this recipe make the rolls soft and fluffy – you won’t miss the bread flour.

How long do potato rolls last?

Like any homemade bread or rolls, these will only last about 2-3 days before starting to mold. There aren’t any preservatives so they don’t last as long as store-bought rolls like Martin’s Potato Rolls. It’s best to make and serve these the same day.

Can you make potato rolls ahead of time?

If you want to make the dough ahead, you can. Make the recipe up until you place to rolls into the pan. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to overnight. Let come to room temperature to rise before baking.

What is the difference between potato buns and regular buns?

Potato rolls have instant mashed potatoes in them, making them softer than regular dinner rolls or buns.

Do potato rolls taste like potato?

No they don’t have a potato taste – instead they’re much softer because of the mashed potatoes.

Have you made this recipe?

Tag @crazyforcrust on Instagram or hashtag it #crazyforcrust

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Fluffy Potato Rolls Recipe

4.86 from 75 votes

These are the very best soft and fluffy dinner rolls! Potato Rolls with instant potaotes are easy to make and you can make them even if you're not used to working with yeast.

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Rise Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Yield 12 rolls

Serving Size 1 roll

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups (372g) all-purpose flour (up to 3 1/2 cups)
  • 1 packet 1 packet Instant Yeast (RapidRise) (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon (13g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (177ml) milk (regular, low or nonfat)
  • ½ cup (118ml) water
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • cup potato flakes
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  • Combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

  • Combine water, milk and butter in a microwave safe measuring cup. Heat to between 120°-130°F (about 1 minute in my microwave). It’s best if you can use an instant read thermometer, but if you don't have one, heat your water to very hot bathwater temperature. Stir in potato flakes.

  • Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with the dough hook for 1 minute on medium speed. Add egg and 1 cup flour and mix another 1 minute. Add a third cup of flour and mix until your dough comes together to a soft dough. It will be slightly sticky to the touch. If needed, add up to 1/4 cup more flour.

  • Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and dust it with flour. Knead until the dough comes together in a ball and the dough bounces back when pressed with two fingers. This will take about 4-6 minutes (longer if you've done this process by hand). Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.

  • Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball and place into a 9×13-inch pan that's been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake for 20-28 minutes, or until rolls are golden. Be sure to rotate the pan if needed partway through baking to ensure the rolls get evenly golden.

  • Brush hot rolls with melted butter, if desired. Enjoy within 2 days.

Recipe Video

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Author Dorothy Kern

Did you try this recipe? Click the stars to rate the recipe below

Other fabulous dinner rolls and bread recipes:

  • Buttery Homemade Rolls
  • Small Batch Dinner Rolls
  • 45 Minute Dinner Rolls
  • Easy White Bread
  • Cinnamon Swirl Bread
  • Cheesy Ranch Breadsticks
  • All of my bread recipes!

Serve these with:

These are the very best soft and fluffy dinner rolls! Potato Rolls with instant potaotes are easy to make and you can make them even if you’re not used to working with yeast.

Last Updated on November 11, 2022

The BEST Fluffy Potato Rolls Recipe - Crazy for Crust (2024)

FAQs

Why are potato rolls so soft? ›

It's all about the starch

So when you add potato to your bread dough you're upping the dough's starch content, effectively increasing the resulting loaf's total liquid retention — which translates to bread with soft, moist texture and a long shelf life.

What makes rolls tough? ›

Too much flour, or not the right kind, could be to blame. Dough made only from flour with a high or even average amount of protein (like bread flour or all-purpose flour) can become tough from overmixing. Protein gives bread structure in the form of gluten—the more you mix and move the dough, the more gluten you get.

Do potato rolls have potatoes in them? ›

Potato rolls contain plain mashed potato, water, all-purpose flour, eggs, butter, sugar, salt, and yeast. The mashed potato replaces some of the white wheat flour and the liquid that would normally go into rolls. It not only lends a softer, sweeter taste than flour, it also holds more moisture.

What is the trick to fluffy bread? ›

Add Sugar

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

What is the secret of soft buns? ›

The secret to soft, light rolls, if you're looking for something like a dinner roll, is an enriched dough that contains butter or other dairy, eggs, or both. If you want something more bread-like, you want a high hydration dough that's been properly kneaded and given at least two bulk fermentations before shaping.

How do you keep potatoes Fluffy? ›

Removing the potato starch both before and after cooking ensures fluffy, not gluey, mashed potatoes. Milk and butter give the potatoes richness.

How do restaurants get baked potatoes so soft? ›

Foil will prevent potatoes from drying out while they are kept warm – one of the reasons restaurants serve their baked potatoes in foil. but it will also leave the skin soft and moist, not crispy.

What is the secret to super soft bread? ›

Instant milk powder makes bread dough super soft and fluffy and also helps to give it a good rise. It also contributes to the dough staying nice and soft after baking for a little longer than a recipe that does not use milk powder.

Which is better for rolls, bread flour, or all-purpose flour? ›

If you don't have bread flour, use the same amount of all-purpose flour – but your rolls may just be slightly shorter and less chewy, and may take longer to knead and rise.

How do you keep rolls crusty? ›

If you want it crispy tomorrow, you have to leave it exposed to air, but then it will get a bit stale and dry out some as well. If you want it to remain as fresh as possible, then you really have to enclose it in something like a plastic bag to retain its moisture.

What is Martin's potato rolls made of? ›

Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Nonfat Milk, Reconstituted Potatoes (from Potato Flour), Yeast, Sugar, Cane Sugar Syrup, Wheat Gluten, Sunflower Oil, Contains 2 Percent Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Salt, Butter, Dough Conditioners (Sodium Stearoyl ...

Are potato rolls healthier than bread? ›

It depends: adding potatoes to bread dough increases the potassium, fiber, folate, and vitamin E, along with smaller amounts of zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium compared to regular white bread. However, potato bread is often made with a lot of butter, sugar, and milk. A potato roll is dipped in sugar.

What makes potato rolls yellow? ›

There are quite a few ingredients that can affect the color of potato bread, but typically there are four that may contribute to the yellow color: eggs, potatoes, artificial food colorings, and natural food dyes.

Why did my homemade rolls turn out dense? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

Why is my homemade bread not fluffy? ›

One of the most common reasons for dense bread is over or under-kneaded dough. Kneading your dough directly affects gas production, as it increases the rate that fermentation occurs. Without kneading, bread dough will take much longer to ferment fully.

Why are my homemade rolls flat? ›

Yeast – Before you start baking, check to make sure that your yeast hasn't expired. If it's not fresh, the rolls won't rise, and they'll be dense and flat instead of soft and fluffy.

How do you keep homemade bread fluffy? ›

The solution is to put your lovely bread into a zip lock storage bag, then place that bag into a second plastic bag. Place a moistened, damp paper towel in between the two bags and zip it shut. Using this little trick should help your bread stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

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