If you’ve ever dreamed of sinking your teeth into warm, fluffy bread straight from the oven, Potato Dinner Rolls are about to become your newest obsession. These rolls are heavenly soft, subtly sweet, and have just the right hint of golden chew thanks to mashed potatoes in the dough. They’re a game-changing addition to any meal, whether you’re serving a holiday feast or just craving a cozy side with your weeknight dinner. Once you’ve tried these, store-bought rolls will never measure up!

Potato Dinner Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Potato Dinner Rolls is that every ingredient plays a unique and important part in achieving that signature pillowy texture and comforting flavor. With just a handful of kitchen staples, you’ll be amazed how these humble items transform into something extraordinary.

Warm milk: Acts as the moisture base for the dough and activates the yeast for a tender, soft crumb.
Plain mashed potatoes: The secret ingredient! Mashed potatoes keep the rolls incredibly moist and give them their cloud-like softness.
Instant dry yeast: Helps the dough rise beautifully, ensuring your rolls are light and airy.
Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and gives the rolls that irresistible golden-brown finish.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
Salted butter (softened): Adds rich flavor and softness to the dough – don’t skimp on this!
Large eggs: Provide structure, richness, and a lovely golden hue to the rolls.
All-purpose flour: The foundation that brings the dough together for the perfect texture.
Salted butter & honey (for brushing): Melted together and brushed on top, this duo gives the finished rolls a glossy, irresistible finish.

How to Make Potato Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Mix the Dough

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and combining your warm milk, mashed potatoes, instant dry yeast, honey, salt, softened butter, and eggs. Most of the flour goes in at this stage (save about half a cup for later adjustments). Use a sturdy wooden spoon to stir everything together – once the mixture thickens and gets hard to stir, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Knead Until Soft and Smooth

Turn your dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Now comes the fun, hands-on part! Gradually add the remaining flour as you knead. Fold, press, and turn the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and just a little bit tacky but not sticky. This step is what gives Potato Dinner Rolls their signature, airy texture, so don’t be afraid to work that dough.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place your kneaded dough in a large, lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel or some plastic wrap. Set it in a warm spot in your kitchen and let it rise until it doubles in size—this usually takes about 90 minutes. Watching the fluffy dough grow is always satisfying!

Step 4: Shape and Final Rise

Lightly grease a 13×18-inch baking sheet or two 9×13-inch pans. Divide the dough into 24 even pieces—eyeball it or use a kitchen scale if you love precision. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in neat rows on your baking tray. Cover again and let the Potato Dinner Rolls rise for about an hour, or until they’ve doubled and are puffed up, ready for baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slide the trays of rolls into the oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they turn a gorgeous golden brown on top. The delicious aroma will have everyone wandering into the kitchen!

Step 6: Brush with Honey Butter

While the rolls are baking, melt together a tablespoon each of salted butter and honey. As soon as those rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with this sweet, glossy mixture. This step seals in moisture and adds an extra sparkle of flavor.

Step 7: Let Cool (If You Can Wait!)

Let your Potato Dinner Rolls rest in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, move them to a cooling rack (if anybody can keep their hands off them that long). Serve them warm for the coziest experience, or cool completely before storing.

How to Serve Potato Dinner Rolls

Garnishes

Dress up your Potato Dinner Rolls by sprinkling them with a pinch of flaky sea salt or fresh chopped herbs like rosemary or chives right after brushing with honey butter. This simple touch adds a wonderful flavor and charming, bakery-style presentation.

Side Dishes

Potato Dinner Rolls make the ultimate side for hearty soups, stews, or classic roast chicken. They’re also perfect for soaking up gravies, mopping up sauces, or sandwiching with leftover turkey at holiday dinners. Their soft texture complements just about any main dish you can imagine.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or casual gatherings, split the warm rolls and fill them with ham and cheese for mini sandwiches, or serve with little bowls of whipped honey butter or herb butter for spreadable joy. Arrange the rolls on a wooden board for an inviting, rustic look, and watch them disappear!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store your Potato Dinner Rolls in an airtight plastic bag or container for up to 3 to 4 days. Keeping them sealed preserves their moist, tender crumb, so they taste almost as fresh as day one.

Freezing

To freeze, let the rolls cool entirely, then pop them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or lightly warm before serving—no one will ever know they weren’t freshly baked!

Reheating

For that just-baked taste, wrap leftover Potato Dinner Rolls in foil and reheat in a 300°F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. You can also zap individual rolls in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. A quick brush of melted butter over warm rolls will revive their melt-in-your-mouth texture.

FAQs

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes in the dough?

Absolutely! As long as your mashed potatoes aren’t loaded with extras like cheese or garlic, they work beautifully. Just make sure they’re plain and not too runny. Leftover mashed potatoes are a great way to reduce waste and add incredible moisture to the rolls.

What makes Potato Dinner Rolls so soft?

The mashed potatoes are the secret! Potato starch locks in moisture, resulting in a much softer, fluffier roll than you’d get with flour alone. That’s why these rolls stay tender for days.

Can I make these ahead for holidays?

Definitely. You can prep the dough and shape the rolls the day before, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come up to room temperature and finish rising before baking as usual—perfect for stress-free entertaining.

Can I substitute instant yeast with active dry yeast?

You can, but you’ll want to activate active dry yeast in the warm milk with a touch of honey first, letting it foam before proceeding with the recipe. The rest of the method is the same, just allow for a little extra rise time if needed.

How do I get evenly sized rolls every time?

If you want roll-size perfection, use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough and divide it evenly by 24. Alternatively, just use your hands and eyeball it—truth is, they’re delicious no matter the size!

Final Thoughts

Baking your own Potato Dinner Rolls is more than just making bread—it’s a labor of love that rewards you with unbeatable flavor, warmth, and the joy of sharing something homemade. Give these a try (you won’t regret it!), and prepare to add a new favorite to your regular baking lineup.