Overnight Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy overnight dinner rolls with a slightly sweet flavor, perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or making caramel rolls, coffee cakes, and hamburger buns.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil sugar and water together for 5 minutes; then let cool.
- Mix the rest of the ingredients together, including the softened yeast in warm water, to form a soft dough.
- Combine the cooled sugar-water mixture with the rest of the ingredients and knead until smooth.
- Allow the dough to rise until 7 p.m. (about 2 hours).
- Punch down the dough and let it rise again until ready to form into rolls.
- Form the dough into rolls by 10 p.m.
- Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F in the morning until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting half the shortening with unsalted butter. If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought dough or even Mini-Popovers for a quicker option. Be sure to knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic for the best texture in your rolls.
Serving Suggestions
These overnight dinner rolls are perfect served warm with butter. Pair them with hearty dishes like Old Fashioned Broccoli And Rice Casserole or enjoy them alongside a comforting soup. They also make fantastic sliders for pulled pork or turkey sandwiches at gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Overnight Dinner Rolls contains roughly 1003 calories, with 16g protein, 101g carbohydrates, and 62g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (50% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (48% of the Daily Value), and protein (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1020mg per serving (44% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but consider using a mix of both for a lighter texture. Whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to slightly adjust the amount of water in the recipe.
How can I ensure my rolls are fluffy?
To achieve fluffy rolls, make sure your yeast is fresh and active. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. Proper kneading is also crucial for developing gluten, which gives the rolls their airy texture.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it after the first rise. Just shape the rolls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to use, let them thaw and rise before baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).