How to make Easy Sourdough Dinner Rolls

There are meals that beg for a rich, buttery roll. These Sourdough Dinner Rolls are simple to mix up and rise overnight or all day. The flavor is more complex than rolls made with commercial yeast.

I love this sourdough dinner roll recipe and sometimes will make these instead of sourdough bread for the week.

**This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission at no cost to you on sales**

In my memories of Thanksgiving as a child, the part of the meal I looked forward to most were the Rolls. I am a bread person. So, I am always excited to make these for our Thanksgiving feast.

If you have ever struggled making rolls, give this recipe a try. It is mostly hands off and always turns out great!

You can use freshly ground wheat, store bought whole wheat, or unbleached all purpose flour.

Your starter needs to be fed and active to achieve the fluffy texture of these rolls.

What is active sourdough starter?

Active sourdough starter is starter that has been fed within the last 24 hours and is bubbly. I keep my starter in the fridge so if it has been fed within the past 5 days it will still rise these rolls.

You can make these ahead of time and freeze them until you need them. You can also double the recipe for a larger gathering.

What you will need for these sourdough dinner rolls

Flour

You may use all purpose flour, bread flour, or freshly milled whole wheat flour.

I grind my own flour at home making for the most delicious rolls. Here is the grain mill I use: Nutrimill Grain Mill

Sourdough Starter

Use active sourdough starter. The starter should be bubbly and active.

Water

For best results, use filtered water. Tap water typically has chlorine in it which may inhibit the growth of the wild yeast.

Olive Oil

Use a high quality organic olive oil. You may substitute with melted butter or coconut oil.

Honey/Agave/Maple Syrup

The sweetener adds a wonderful flavor to the rolls. However, it can be omitted if you choose.

Salt

I use Redmond’s Real Salt in all of my baking. I high quality sea salt will work just fine.

Step By Step Instructions for making Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls

The night before you want to make the rolls, add the water, liquid sweetener and sourdough starter to the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Pulse until combined.

You can mix up this dough in a bread machine as well. Let it knead and rise in the maker overnight.

Alternatively, you can mix in a large mixing bowl and knead by hand for 10 minutes.

Note: If your house is really cool start with warm water to jump start the fermentation process.

This is the stand mixer I use and love: Nutrimill Stand Mixer

Add 2 1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Mix on low speed until combined and continue adding just enough flour to clean the sides of the bowl.

Knead until smooth and silky, about 6-8 minutes. I use speed 2.

You are looking for a supple and stretchy dough that passes the windowpane test. This just means a small piece of dough can be stretched very thinly without breaking.

Transfer to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let the dough rise overnight in a warm place or at least 6 hours. This is the first rise or bulk fermentation.

The next day transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Take care to not completely deflate the dough. You can let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes to relax the gluten before shaping. It is not necessary however.

Divide into 8 equal pieces and shape into round balls.

Place shaped rolls in a greased baking sheet, cover, and allow to rise a second time for 1 1/2 to 3 hours depending on temperature in the room. This is the second rise.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30 minutes. I like to brush an egg wash on top before baking for a golden brown roll.’

Sourdough rolls are absolutely delicious and will make the perfect accompaniment to any meal!

Storage Tips

These sourdough dinner rolls will store at room temperature in a plastic bread bag for up to 5 days.

Freeze the cooled rolls in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.