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This Garlic & Herb Skillet Dinner Rolls recipe post is sponsored by Fleischmann’s® Yeast, although the content represents my own personal opinion and experience using the product.
You are going to love these skillet dinner rolls! I mean, who can resist the lure (or aroma) of hot out of the oven rolls with rosemary, thyme, and garlic baked right in with a savory butter drizzle on top? Not me, that’s for sure. And the best part is that they come together quickly thanks to Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast. If you’re a fan of rolls with a flakey golden brown exterior, a soft, pillowy interior, and practically no prep, this dinner roll recipe is for you! Serve these cast iron skillet dinner rolls up as a delicious side dish, or use them for sandwiches! The options are endless.
If you’ve been wanting to make soft dinner rolls from scratch but were afraid to try, let me assure you that this recipe is so simple and straightforward that you’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t attempt freshly baked rolls sooner. So go ahead, transform your dinner table into a warm and cozy bakery and give these pull-apart skillet dinner rolls a try for your next meal or gathering – your taste buds will thank you.
why you’ll love these cast iron skillet dinner rolls
- Simple to make. No need for a bread machine, just mix the ingredients, knead the dough in a stand mixer, let rise in a bowl, and form into rolls before placing them in a cast iron skillet and baking. No stand mixer? No problem! You can also make these by hand (some even say hand-kneaded rolls are superior!).
- Warm and savory flavors. Rosemary, thyme, and garlic give the rolls a delicious herby touch that pairs perfectly with a brush of melted butter on top before serving.
- Quick rise time. Thanks to Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast, these rolls only require one rise, so you can enjoy them even faster!
- Versatile. The base of this recipe can be used to make all different flavors of yeast rolls, just swap out the herbs and add in your favorites. Or try some grated cheese on top for a cheesy twist. The options are endless!
Ingredients to make yeast dinner rolls
- Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast: Not only is Fleischmann’s® Yeast reliable (no sunken in hockey pucks here!), it produces delicious pull-apart rolls every time for me without fail. If you’re a long-time FGF follower, then you know that I am picky with a capital P, and I only use ingredients that I trust, and when it comes to yeast-based recipes, Fleischmann’s® is my go-to every time!
- All-purpose flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but feel free to swap in a mix of white and whole wheat all-purpose flour or completely use whole wheat all-purpose flour if you prefer.
- Rosemary, thyme, and garlic: These herbs give the rolls a warm and savory flavor that pairs so well with butter. Feel free to substitute with your favorite herbs.
- Butter: Used both in the dough and as a drizzle on top before serving, butter adds a delicious richness to the rolls. You can also substitute with vegan butter if needed.
- Milk & Egg: Not only does the milk act as a binder for the dough and add moisture, but it also helps create a soft and fluffy texture in the rolls and activates the yeast. Don’t skip heating the milk! The egg adds structure to the rolls and helps with their rise.
- Sugar & Salt: A touch of sugar helps activate the yeast, while salt adds flavor balance and another layer of depth to the rolls.
How to make fluffy skillet dinner rolls
There is nothing like the smell, taste, or texture of freshly baked yeast rolls, and when you take the time to make your own, it is SO worth it. And I promise it’s so easy!
Preparing Your Yeast Dinner Rolls
- In a large bowl, combine flour, Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and salt. Whisk to distribute everything evenly.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the milk, melted butter, egg, and sugar.
- Add half the flour mixture on top.
- Using the hook attachment, beat until a smooth batter forms.
- Add the remaining flour, half a cup at a time, until a soft smooth dough ball forms. It will feel elastic but still slightly sticky.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a tight cover and allow to rise in a warm area until the dough has doubled in size.
How to Make Skillet Dinner Rolls
- Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Cut the dough into 12 even pieces.
- Taking one piece at a time, fold the edges into the center, and pinch them closed.
- To finish out the shape, roll the dough ball in your hands.
- Place the dough seam side down on a cast iron skillet (you don’t need to grease it if it’s seasoned). Position the dough balls in a circular fashion.
- Bake in the preheated oven and make sure to brush them with butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
Tips for making soft bread rolls
- Opt for a warm environment for the bread to rise faster. A cold kitchen can really impact how quickly the proofing process can happen. I will sometimes even place my dough in the laundry room while a load of clothes is in the dryer. It works like a charm!
- Rely more on visual cues than time. When it comes to yeast bread recipes, it’s not one size fits all because it will depend on the ingredients you use and the warmth of the environment
- Add more sugar for a higher rise. The more sugar added to the yeast, the more gas bubbles will form in the process of rising and baking, and the higher the bread rises! While I originally tested with 2 tablespoons of sugar, I found that the level of sweetness with 1 tablespoon was more suited here, though.
- Roll it into a log for easier cutting. You can roll the dough into one long log to cut it into 12 equal pieces. This allows you to have more even cuts for the rolls.
- Brush melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven. You don’t want to wait until they cool down. The melted butter absorbs into the hot rolls more easily, making them look glossy and taste perfectly buttery.
popular substitutions & additions
- Switch up the herbs. I like using dried rosemary and thyme, but you can use other dried herbs like chives, basil, and parsley. You can also use fresh herbs in the dough.
- Make it in a pan. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can make this in any 9-inch or 10-inch round baking dish or 9-inch square pan.
- Add cheese. Sprinkle-grated cheddar, parmesan, or even mozzarella over the top before baking for cheesy pull-apart rolls.
- Make sweet yeast rolls. Leave out the herbs and roll in cinnamon sugar before shaping into rolls for delicious sweet pull-apart rolls to serve with breakfast or brunch. You can also add raisins or dried cranberries for added sweetness.
dinners that pair well with your pull-apart rolls
- Dry Brined Turkey Breast
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Baked Lamb Chops
- Easy Oven Beef Stew
- Effortless Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
how to store & reheat yeast dinner rolls
Store these dinner rolls in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make sure to let them cool completely before storing them to avoid moisture build-up.
To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-10 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual rolls for about 10 seconds. Enjoy with some extra butter!
how long will yeast rolls last in the fridge?
I do not recommend storing these rolls in the fridge as they can dry out quickly. Follow the above storage instructions and enjoy them within 2 days. If you have leftovers, freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
can i freeze yeast dinner rolls?
You can freeze the dough before it has risen. Shape the dough into rolls and place on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before allowing them to rise and bake as directed in the recipe.
Frequently asked questions
If your rolls have a more dense and biscuit-like texture, it could be because the dough did not rise enough before baking. Make sure to give the dough enough time to rise and double in size before shaping it into rolls and baking. Using the wrong kind of flour can also affect the texture, so make sure to use all-purpose flour as listed in the recipe, not bread flour.
Active dry yeast can be used in this recipe, but you will need to proof it first. That means you’ll need to test that the yeast is alive by dissolving it in warm water before adding it to the dough. Follow package instructions for the amount of active dry yeast needed and the temperature of the water to dissolve it in. Keep in mind that active dry yeast may require a longer rise time before shaping and baking. Learn more about Yeast 101.
Using too much yeast can result in a strong yeast flavor and a dough that rises too quickly. Make sure to measure out the specified amount of yeast listed in the recipe, or follow package instructions for the correct amount to use. Too much yeast can also cause the rolls to collapse or have large holes inside.
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand. It may just take a little more effort and time to get the dough smooth and elastic before letting it rise. If kneading by hand, make sure to flour your work surface well to avoid sticking. You can also use a handheld electric mixer with dough hook attachments to knead the dough.
Yes, any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work for this recipe. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly with different materials and sizes of skillets or baking dishes. Make sure to check the rolls are cooked through before serving.
These skillet dinner rolls are the perfect addition to any meal. They’re light and fluffy with a delicious rosemary, thyme, and garlic flavor. Plus, they’re so easy to make with Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast. You can have fresh, homemade yeast rolls in no time! Give them a try for your next dinner or gathering. Your guests will love them.
More bread recipes:
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Skillet Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk warmed (between 120°—130°F)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter plus more for brushing
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, Fleischmann’s® RapidRise® Instant Yeast, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder and salt. Whisk to evenly distribute everything.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer beat together the milk, melted butter, egg and sugar. Add half the flour mixture on top, and using the hook attachment, beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until a smooth batter forms. Add the remaining flour, half a cup at a time until a soft smooth dough ball forms, 4-5 more minutes. It will feel elastic but still slightly sticky.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes.
- Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 12 even pieces. Taking one piece at a time, fold the edges into the center, pinch them closed, and then roll the ball in your hands. Place the dough seam side down on a 10-inch cast iron skillet (you don’t need to grease it if it’s seasoned). Repeat with the remaining pieces. Position the dough balls in a circular fashion. Cover the skillet with a plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm area until the dough has doubled in size, about 60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place in the oven on a middle rack. Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and while still hot, brush with melted butter, if desired. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Yummm
Glad you enjoyed these!
My daughter made these for Thanksgiving this year, I’ve made them 3 times since then! Easy, yeasty, herby, soft and delicious!! They made great turkey sandwiches after Thanksgiving as well. Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Ahh thank you!
Wonderful bread. Thank you😊
You’re so welcome! I am glad you liked it
I love how soft the bread was. I used oat milk and dairy free butter for a dairy free alternative. Served it with your chicken soup recipe which also was very lovely. Thank you
What a great pairing, I love the idea of serving these rolls with chicken soup! Thank you for making both recipes. I am glad you enjoyed them!
I had all the ingredients on hand so I whipped these up tonight. They were easy and delicious!
That is so perfect! Yay!