Making your own dinner rolls is easier than you might think! Here’s a simple recipe for soft and fluffy homemade dinner rolls.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F or 45°C)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter (for brushing, optional)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Mix the Dough

   • Add melted butter, egg, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough

   • Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes by hand (or 5 minutes with a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic.

4. First Rise

   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

5. Shape the Rolls

   • Punch down the dough and divide it into 12–15 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking sheet or in a buttered 9x13-inch pan.

6. Second Rise

   • Cover and let the rolls rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.

7. Bake

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown on top.

8. Brush with Butter (Optional)

   • While the rolls are still warm, brush the tops with melted butter for extra softness and flavor.

Enjoy!

These rolls are best served warm and can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days.

You can freeze dinner roll dough at two different stages, depending on your preference:

1. After the First Rise (Best for Fresh-Baked Rolls Later)

• Prepare the dough as usual and let it rise once until doubled in size.
• Punch down the dough and shape it into individual rolls.
• Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them until solid (about 1-2 hours).
• Transfer the frozen dough balls into an airtight container or freezer bag.
• To bake later: Remove the rolls from the freezer, place them on a greased baking pan, cover, and let them thaw and rise for 4-6 hours (or overnight in the fridge). Bake as usual at 375°F (190°C).

2. After Baking (For Quick, Ready-to-Eat Rolls)

• Bake the rolls completely and let them cool.
• Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• To reheat: Wrap in foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave for 30 seconds.

If you want the freshest homemade taste, I recommend freezing after the first rise and shaping—this way, you can enjoy freshly baked rolls whenever you want! 😊

That sounds like a challenge—now we gotta figure out his secret! 😆 If his biscuits were light and fluffy with just water, he probably did a couple of key things right.

Here’s a basic water-based biscuit recipe that should get you close:

Light & Fluffy Water Biscuits

(No Milk, No Butter – Just Simple Ingredients!)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or melted shortening)
• ¾ cup cold water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add oil – Stir in the vegetable oil (or melted shortening) to coat the flour.
4. Pour in cold water – Stir gently until the dough comes together. Add a tiny bit more water if it’s too dry.
5. Shape – Turn the dough onto a floured surface, gently pat it out, and cut biscuits. Don’t overwork the dough!
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on top.
7. Optional – Brush warm biscuits with melted butter for extra flavor.

Why This Works:

✔ Oil replaces the fat from milk/butter to keep biscuits tender.
✔ Cold water helps create steam, making them fluffier.
✔ Minimal mixing prevents toughness.

For a personal-sized pizza, you can scale down the ingredients. Here’s a quick and easy recipe for a single-serving pizza dough:

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
• ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
• ⅓ cup warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast – In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it gets foamy.
2. Make the Dough – In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead – Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth.
4. Let It Rise – Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 30–45 minutes (or until it doubles in size).
5. Shape the Dough – Punch down the dough, roll it out into a 6–8 inch circle, and place it on a baking sheet or pizza stone.
6. Rest (Optional) – Let it rest for 10–15 minutes for a fluffier crust.
7. Top & Bake – Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Add sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake for 8–12 minutes until golden and crispy.

Would you like a quicker no-yeast version? 🚀

Here's a quick no-yeast pizza dough recipe for a single serving!

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon sugar (optional, for slight flavor balance)
• ⅓ cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
2. Add Wet Ingredients – Pour in the warm water and olive oil, then mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead – Lightly knead for 1–2 minutes until smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
4. Shape – Roll out the dough into a 6–8 inch circle on a floured surface.
5. Pre-Bake (Optional) – For a crispier crust, bake at 450°F (230°C) for 3–5 minutes before adding toppings.
6. Top & Bake – Add sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake for 8–12 minutes or until golden brown.

This version is super fast and still delicious! 🍕

What kind of crust do you prefer? Here are my recommendations based on your preference:

1. Thin & Crispy Crust

• Temperature: 475°F (245°C)
• Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
• Tip: Pre-bake the crust for 3–5 minutes before adding toppings for extra crispiness.

2. Classic Hand-Tossed Crust (Chewy & Slightly Crispy)

• Temperature: 450°F (230°C)
• Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
• Tip: Let the dough rest for 10 minutes after rolling to avoid shrinking.

3. Thick/Deep Dish Crust (Soft & Fluffy Inside, Crispy Outside)

• Temperature: 375–400°F (190–200°C)
• Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
• Tip: Bake in a greased pan and cover with foil for the first 10 minutes to cook evenly without burning the top.

Yes! You can absolutely freeze a ready-made pizza before baking it, and it will still turn out great when you’re ready to eat it. Here’s how:

How to Freeze Unbaked Pizza

1. Par-Bake the Crust (Recommended for Best Results)

   • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
   • Bake the rolled-out pizza dough (without toppings) for 3–5 minutes, just until it sets but doesn’t brown.
   • Let it cool completely.

2. Add Toppings

   • Spread your sauce, cheese, and any toppings. Avoid very watery toppings (like fresh tomatoes) because they can make the crust soggy.

3. Freeze Properly

   • Place the pizza on a baking sheet and freeze it uncovered for 1–2 hours (this prevents sticking).
   • Once solid, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or store it in a large freezer-safe bag.
   • Label with the date—frozen pizzas last up to 2 months.

How to Bake Frozen Pizza

• No need to thaw!
• Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
• Bake directly on a pizza stone or baking sheet for 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Would you like tips on freezing dough instead of a fully prepped pizza?

Freezing pizza dough is a great way to have fresh homemade pizza anytime! Here’s how to do it properly:

How to Freeze Pizza Dough

1. Make the Dough

   • Prepare your pizza dough as usual and let it rise completely.

2. Divide into Portions

   • If you made a large batch, divide the dough into individual pizza portions before freezing.
   • Lightly coat each ball of dough with olive oil to prevent drying out.

3. Wrap & Store

   • Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
   • Label with the date—the dough stays fresh for up to 3 months.

How to Use Frozen Pizza Dough

1. Thaw Properly

   • Move the dough to the fridge and let it thaw overnight (or at least 8 hours).
   • For a quicker method, place the wrapped dough in a bowl of warm water for about 30 minutes until soft.

2. Bring to Room Temperature

   • Before using, let the dough sit at room temp for 30 minutes to relax and rise slightly.

3. Roll Out & Bake

   • Shape, top, and bake as usual! 🍕

Making your own pizza dough at home is simple and only requires a few ingredients. Here’s a classic recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose or bread flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast
   In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Mix the Dough
   In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. First Rise
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1–2 hours until it doubles in size.

5. Shape the Dough
   Punch down the dough, divide it if necessary, and roll it out to your desired pizza shape.

6. Final Rise (Optional)
   Let the shaped dough rest for 15 minutes for a slightly puffier crust.

7. Add Toppings & Bake
   Preheat your oven to 450°F (245°C). Add sauce, cheese, and toppings, then bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and crispy.

What kind of crust do you prefer? Here are my recommendations based on your preference:

1. Thin & Crispy Crust

• Temperature: 475°F (245°C)
• Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
• Tip: Pre-bake the crust for 3–5 minutes before adding toppings for extra crispiness.

2. Classic Hand-Tossed Crust (Chewy & Slightly Crispy)

• Temperature: 450°F (230°C)
• Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
• Tip: Let the dough rest for 10 minutes after rolling to avoid shrinking.

3. Thick/Deep Dish Crust (Soft & Fluffy Inside, Crispy Outside)

• Temperature: 375–400°F (190–200°C)
• Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
• Tip: Bake in a greased pan and cover with foil for the first 10 minutes to cook evenly without burning the top.

Yes! You can absolutely freeze a ready-made pizza before baking it, and it will still turn out great when you’re ready to eat it. Here’s how:

How to Freeze Unbaked Pizza

1. Par-Bake the Crust (Recommended for Best Results)

   • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
   • Bake the rolled-out pizza dough (without toppings) for 3–5 minutes, just until it sets but doesn’t brown.
   • Let it cool completely.

2. Add Toppings

   • Spread your sauce, cheese, and any toppings. Avoid very watery toppings (like fresh tomatoes) because they can make the crust soggy.

3. Freeze Properly

   • Place the pizza on a baking sheet and freeze it uncovered for 1–2 hours (this prevents sticking).
   • Once solid, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or store it in a large freezer-safe bag.
   • Label with the date—frozen pizzas last up to 2 months.

How to Bake Frozen Pizza

• No need to thaw!
• Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
• Bake directly on a pizza stone or baking sheet for 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Would you like tips on freezing dough instead of a fully prepped pizza?

Freezing pizza dough is a great way to have fresh homemade pizza anytime! Here’s how to do it properly:

How to Freeze Pizza Dough

1. Make the Dough

   • Prepare your pizza dough as usual and let it rise completely.

2. Divide into Portions

   • If you made a large batch, divide the dough into individual pizza portions before freezing.
   • Lightly coat each ball of dough with olive oil to prevent drying out.

3. Wrap & Store

   • Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
   • Label with the date—the dough stays fresh for up to 3 months.

How to Use Frozen Pizza Dough

1. Thaw Properly

   • Move the dough to the fridge and let it thaw overnight (or at least 8 hours).
   • For a quicker method, place the wrapped dough in a bowl of warm water for about 30 minutes until soft.

2. Bring to Room Temperature

   • Before using, let the dough sit at room temp for 30 minutes to relax and rise slightly.

3. Roll Out & Bake

   • Shape, top, and bake as usual! 🍕