Potato Dinner Rolls Recipe (Soft & Fluffy Homemade!)

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Some of my best childhood dinner memories involve comforting meals served with the most incredible homemade dinner rolls. I didn’t realize until I was much older that those magical rolls were actually potato dinner rolls – and that secret ingredient is what made them so impossibly soft and delicious.

If you’ve never made potato rolls before, you’re in for a treat. The mashed potatoes create a texture that’s somehow both fluffy and substantial, with a tender crumb that stays fresh way longer than regular dinner rolls. They’re slightly sweet, incredibly buttery, and honestly? They might just be the best dinner rolls you’ll ever make.

What is a Potato Dinner Roll?

Potato dinner rolls are exactly what they sound like – yeast rolls made with mashed potatoes mixed right into the dough. You can use homemade mashed potatoes or even instant (no judgment here!). The potatoes aren’t just a quirky addition – they actually serve a purpose:

• Keep rolls incredibly soft – The starch and moisture from potatoes create an ultra-tender texture
• Extend freshness – Potato rolls stay soft for days longer than regular rolls
• Add subtle sweetness – The natural sugars in potatoes give these rolls a hint of sweetness
• Create a beautiful golden color – That gorgeous crust? Thank the potatoes!

Beyond the potatoes, you’ll use basic bread ingredients: flour, yeast, butter, milk, eggs, and a touch of sugar and lemon juice. If you’ve made dinner rolls or bread before, this process will feel familiar and straightforward.

Why You’ll Love This Potato Roll Recipe

Here’s what makes these rolls so special:

• Unbelievably soft texture – That pillowy, cloud-like crumb is unmatched
• Stay fresh longer – They’re still soft 3-4 days later (if they last that long!)
• Perfect for any occasion – Thanksgiving, Easter, Sunday dinner, or Tuesday night pasta
• Great use for leftover mashed potatoes – Got extras? Turn them into rolls!
• They freeze beautifully – Make ahead and bake when needed
• Impress everyone – People will think you’re a baking genius

Once you taste homemade potato rolls, store-bought rolls will never be the same.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s what you need to make these incredible rolls:

• Mashed potatoes – Use firm, unseasoned mashed potatoes (not soupy). Russet or Idaho potatoes work best because they’re starchy and create the fluffiest texture. Leftover mashed potatoes work perfectly too!
• Active dry yeast – Must be fresh (check the expiration date!)
• All-purpose flour – Provides structure for the rolls
• Butter – Both in the dough and brushed on top for that golden finish
• Whole milk – Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb
• Eggs – Provide structure and color
• Sugar and honey – A touch of sweetness that balances the savory flavor
• Lemon juice – This might surprise you, but it helps tenderize the dough and adds subtle tang
• Kosher salt – Essential for flavor

Pro tip: If you’re making mashed potatoes specifically for this recipe, keep them simple – just potatoes, a little butter, and salt. Skip any cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy seasonings.

Tips for Perfect Potato Rolls Every Time

After making these rolls countless times, here’s what I’ve learned:

Tip 1 – Always use fresh yeast: If your yeast mixture doesn’t foam after 5 minutes, the yeast is dead. Don’t proceed with dead yeast – you’ll waste all your ingredients. Buy new yeast and start over.

Tip 2 – Use the right potatoes: Russet or Idaho potatoes are best because they’re starchy and create the fluffiest texture. Waxy potatoes like red or Yukon gold won’t give you the same results.

Tip 3 – Don’t over-knead: Knead just until the dough is smooth and elastic (5-7 minutes). Over-kneading develops too much gluten, making the rolls tough instead of tender.

Tip 4 – Create a warm rising environment: Place your dough in an oven with just the light on (not the heat!), or near a sunny window. Warmth helps the dough rise properly. Cold kitchens = longer rise times.

Tip 5 – Make them uniform: Use a kitchen scale to divide the dough into equal portions. This ensures they all bake evenly.

Tip 6 – Don’t skip the second rise: That 45-minute rise after shaping is crucial for light, fluffy rolls. Skipping it results in dense rolls.

Why Potato Rolls Stay Soft Longer

Here’s the science behind why potato rolls stay fresh: The starch in mashed potatoes holds onto moisture, which keeps the bread from drying out. Regular dinner rolls start getting stale after a day or two, but potato rolls stay soft and fresh for 3-4 days. It’s like built-in bread insurance!

The potatoes also create a more tender crumb structure. The moisture and fat from the mashed potatoes interfere with gluten development just enough to keep the texture light and pillowy without making it dense.

The recipe is partially adapted from Simply Recipes.

Commonly Asked Questions

Similar Recipes

If you like this recipe, you will enjoy the bread recipes below:

• 30-Minute Honey Butter Rolls
• Honey Oat Bread with Honey Vanilla Bean Butter
• Buttermilk and Cheddar and Chive Biscuits
• Skillet Buttery Cornbread Recipe

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