Posted on December 12, 2013 by Sheryl
Easy Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls. Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly baked dinner rolls wafting through your home. Soft and warm, these delicious treats are perfect for any meal and can be made with minimal effort. But what if I told you that there was an even easier way to make these delectable rolls? No need to knead or spend hours in the kitchen – all you need is your refrigerator and a few simple ingredients. Yes, you read that right – easy overnight refrigerator dinner rolls exist, and they will change your dinner game forever. In this post, learn the magic behind these convenient and mouthwatering rolls, and provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating your very own batch. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these ridiculously good dinner rolls that practically make themselves.
This easy to make refrigerator roll recipe makes light and airy dinner rolls and comes in two sizes (scroll down to see how to make large and small overnight refrigerator rolls). Whether you’re planning an Easter Dinner, Christmas Dinner, or Thanksgiving Dinner these homemade rolls couldn’t be tastier. Learn how you can make these a month in advance. No kneading, No special tools and oh so easy. Make the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator.
Large Dinner Rolls and Small Dinner Rolls
One recipe! Two sizes of rolls. The large size dinner rolls are perfect for mopping up gravy. The small size dinner rolls taste just as amazing as the large size and are also great for mopping up gravy but the best way to use these little delights is as sandwich sliders. A great recipe for Thanksgiving leftover turkey, Christmas leftover roast or Easter leftover ham.
FREEZE NOW-BAKE LATER
Yes, you can freeze these delicious rolls and have fresh rolls whenever you want! Here’s How: Follow the directions to step #9 PLACE THE BALLS ON A COOKIE SHEET LINED WITH PARCHMENT PAPER (not in a 9×13-inch baking pan). Place cookie sheet with dough balls in the freezer until frozen solid. Take the dough balls out of the freezer and place in a freezer bag. When ready to use dinner rolls, take them out of the freezer, place them on a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray….continue to step 10 in recipe card. NOTE: Because you are starting with frozen dough balls this step will take longer then stated in the recipe. Check after 2 hours and then every half hour after that.
THE OVEN LIGHT METHOD FOR COLD KITCHENS
During the winter months kitchens can become cold. All you need to do to solve this problem is, place the covered (with plastic wrap for the first rise) bowl in the oven, turn on the oven light and close the door. What you’ll get is a beautifully risen dough.
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- SEMI HOMEMADE CHECKERBOARD ROLLS
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- NO KNEAD CRUSTY BREAD
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HOW TO MAKE OVERNIGHT REFRIGERATOR ROLLS
EASY OVERNIGHT REFRIGERATOR DINNER ROLL RECIPE INGREDIENT LIST-full printable recipe below in recipe card
- 1¼ cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- nonstick cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional)
OVERNIGHT YEAST ROLLS INSTRUCTIONS (for large dinner rolls and small slider rolls)
- In a large mixing bowl combine the warm water and quick rise yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
- Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg and salt.
- Beat yeast mixture using an electric mixer on low speed with the paddle attachment or dough hook (scraping down the sides of the bowl) until you have a soft dough (dough will still be sticky).
- Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking spray.
- Place ball of dough in greased bowl, spray the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
- Pour dough onto a lightly floured surface, sprinkle a good amount of flour on top of the dough.
- Knead a couple times until the dough forms a ball.
- Use a bench scarper to gather pieces of dough, use below guide to form the dinner rolls.
FOR THE SMALL DINNER ROLLS
- #9-A —Divide dough into 24 dough pieces (about 1.9 ounces each), form into smooth balls and place rolls in a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
FOR THE LARGE DINNER ROLLS
- #9-B—Divide dough into 18 pieces (about 2.6 ounces each), form into a ball and place in a 9×13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
FOR BOTH SIZE ROLLS
- #10—Cover pieces of dough with a lint free clean kitchen towel, in a warm spot or cold oven, turn on the light and let rest for 1 hour or until double in size.
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Bake, For small rolls: 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.
- For large rolls: 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
- If desired, brush tops of the warm dinner roll with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
- Serve Warm.
How to Make Overnight Shaped Dinner Rolls
This option is for if you want to go ahead and roll the dough into dinner rolls shapes BEFORE adding the dough to the refrigerator for overnight rising. This way you can take the ready made shaped rolls out of the refrigerator, let them rise and bake! This easy recipe is so delicious with little effort.
Follow the directions until step #5.
- Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
- Place in a warm draft free place (I like putting my dough to rise in a cold oven with the oven light on) until doubled in size.
- Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
- Divide dough into desired dinner roll size (see about guide), place in a 9×13 inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
- Cover with plastic wrap, also sprayed with non stick cooking spray, refrigerate overnight.
- THE NEXT DAY: Step #10 Take the rolls out of the refrigerator, put rolls in a warm draft free place until doubled in size. BEFORE THE ROLLS RISE, SWAP OUT THE PLASTIC WRAP FOR A LINT FREE TOWEL.
- Follow above baking directions.
In conclusion, overnight refrigerator dinner rolls are a game-changer for any busy cook looking to add a touch of homemade goodness to their family’s meals. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of planning, these easy rolls will have your kitchen smelling like a bakery and your loved ones begging for more. As we’ve learned, the key to success lies in the process – slow and steady wins the taste bud race. So, the next time you’re tasked with making dinner, why not give these effortless, delicious rolls a try? Your family will thank you and your taste buds will thank you. Go ahead and indulge in the simple pleasure of homemade dinner rolls – you won’t regret it. And as always, happy baking.💗Sheryl
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Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Yield: MAKES 24 SMALL ROLLS AND 18 LARGE ROLLS
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
With a giant list of yummy dishes for your holiday meal these easy to make rolls are dinner perfection.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- nonstick cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional)
Instructions
For BOTH Sizes For Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls:
- In a large mixing bowl combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
- Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg and salt.
- Beat on low with the paddle attachment (scraping down the sides) until you have a soft dough (dough will still be sticky).
- Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking spray.
- Place dough in bowl, spray the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
- THE NEXT DAY: Pour dough onto a well floured surface, sprinkle a good amount of flour on top of the dough.
- Knead a couple times until the dough forms a ball.
- Use below guide to form the dinner rolls.
For the Small Rolls:
- #9-A —Divide dough into 24 pieces (about 1.9 ounces each), form into a ball and place in a 9x13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
For the Large Rolls:
- #9-B—Divide dough into 18 pieces (about 2.6 ounces each), form into a ball and place in a 9x13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
For BOTH Sizes:
- #10—Cover with a lint free towel, place in a cold oven, turn on the light and let rest for 1-2 hours or until double in size.
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Bake, For small rolls: 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. For large rolls: 20-25 minutes or until golden.
- Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
- If desired, brush tops of rolls with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
- Serve Warm.
How to Make Overnight Shaped Dinner Rolls:
GET AHEAD AND MAKE THE DOUGH BALLS BEFORE PLACING THE DOUGH IN THE REFRIGERATOR OVERNIGHT.
NOTE: THE ROLLS WILL STAY FRESH IN THE REFIRGERATOR FOR TWO DAYS! BUT WILL TAKE ABOUT 3 HOURS TO RISE with the oven light method (scroll down for details) THE DAY OF BAKING.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
- Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg, and salt.
- Beat on low with a paddle attachment (scraping down the sides) or stir with a wooden spoon, until you have a soft dough (dough will still be sticky).
- Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
- Place in a warm draft free place (I like putting my dough to rise in a cold oven with the oven light on) until doubled in size.
- Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
- Divide dough into desired dinner roll size (see above guide), place in a 9x13 inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
- Cover with plastic wrap, also sprayed with non stick cooking spray, refrigerate overnight.
- THE NEXT DAY: Take the rolls out of the refrigerator, put rolls in a warm draft free place (you can use the oven light method scroll down for details) and let rest 1 hour or until doubled in size. BEFORE THE ROLLS RISE, SWAP OUT THE PLASTIC WRAP FOR A LINT FREE TOWEL.
- Follow above baking directions.
How to Make Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls for the Freezer:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve the yeast.
- Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg, and salt.
- Beat on low with a paddle attachment (scraping down the sides) or stir with a wooden spoon, until you have a soft dough (dough will still be sticky).
- Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
- Place in a warm draft free place (I like putting my dough to rise in a cold oven with the oven light on) Until doubled in size.
- Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
- Divide dough into desired dinner roll size (see above guide), place dough balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (not in a 9x13 inch pan).
- Place cookie sheet with dough balls in the freezer until frozen solid.
- Take the dough balls out of the freezer and place in a freezer safe zip top bag. Will stay fresh frozen up to 3 months.
WHEN READY TO USE THE DINNER ROLLS:
- Take the rolls out of the freezer, place them in a 9x13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
- Cover with a lint free towel, place in a cold oven, turn on the light and let rest . NOTE: Because you are starting with frozen dough balls this step will take longer then stated in the recipe. Check after 2 hours and then every half an hour after that.
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Bake, for the small rolls: 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. For the large rolls: 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
- If desired, brush tops of rolls with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
- Serve warm.
Notes
OVEN LIGHT METHOD:
Cover formed rolls with a lint free towel, place in a cold oven, turn on the light and let rest for 1-2 hours or until double in size. If refrigerated longer than one day, it will take longer for the rolls to rise (about 3 hours).
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