There’s something special about baking just enough for two—whether it’s a cozy date night or a chill dinner with your favorite person. These small-batch yeast rolls are the perfect solution when you want homemade rolls without a mountain of leftovers. With just a handful of ingredients and under an hour from start to finish, this easy yeast rolls recipe delivers soft, buttery, fluffy dinner rolls that taste just like the ones from your grandma’s table or a classic school yeast rolls recipe. Perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers craving quick yeast rolls without the fuss.
Small-Batch Fluffy Yeast Rolls for Two
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 3 small rolls (perfect for sharing!)
Small Mixing Bowl no need for a mixer here
Fork or spoon to stir everything together
Measuring cups and spoons precision helps in small-batch baking
Oven-safe dish or mini cast iron skillet something around 6 to 7 inches
Kitchen towel or plastic wrap to cover while the dough rises
- ⅓ cup warm milk about 110°F
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted (plus extra for brushing)
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour more if needed for kneading
Optional for sweet dinner rolls
- Add an extra teaspoon of sugar or a drizzle of honey to the dough.
Activate the yeast
In your small mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes, until it gets bubbly and foamy. This activates the yeast and sets the base for soft, fluffy dinner rolls.
Mix and knead the dough
Stir in the melted butter and salt. Add the flour gradually, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 3–4 minutes until smooth and elastic. This is a scaled-down version of a classic yeast dinner rolls recipe, so even a few minutes of hand-kneading makes a difference.
Let it rise
Shape the dough into a ball, place it back in the bowl, and cover it with a towel. Let it rest in a warm place for 15–20 minutes. Yes, they’re kind of like one hour dinner rolls—super fast but still dreamy in texture!
Shape the rolls
Divide the dough into two or three pieces, shape them into balls, and place them into a greased small baking dish.
Second rise
Let the rolls rise for another 10 minutes until they puff up a bit.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake for 13–15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Brush & enjoy
Brush with extra melted butter right out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before digging in.
Perfect Pairings
These easy homemade dinner rolls are small but mighty—they go great with creamy soups, roasted chicken, or a cozy pasta bake. Want a little extra indulgence? Serve them warm with honey butter for a mini sweet yeast rolls recipe experience. They’re also excellent sliced in half and used as tiny sliders for leftover turkey, ham, or even scrambled eggs.
FAQs
1. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just double each ingredient and bake in a slightly larger dish. It’ll still be a quick homemade rolls process.
2. Are these sweet or savory?
These are mildly sweet—kind of in between. If you're after sweet dinner rolls, just add a bit more sugar or honey to lean into that sweet yeast rolls recipe style.
3. Can I make these in advance?
Yes. You can prep the dough and refrigerate it before the first rise. Bring it to room temp before shaping and baking.
4. Do I need a mixer?
Nope! This small-batch dinner rolls recipe homemade style is meant to be mixed and kneaded by hand.
5. Why active dry yeast?
Active dry yeast gives a classic homemade rolls with active dry yeast flavor and texture. It’s reliable, and easy to use in small quantities.
