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Lady Behind the Curtain

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Easy Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls

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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.

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls

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.

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls

FREEZE NOW-BAKE LATER

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls

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

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls

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.

Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
AMAZING with gravy!
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
GREAT ROLLS FOR SLIDERS!

MORE EASY HOMEMADE BREAD RECIPES

HOW TO MAKE OVERNIGHT REFRIGERATOR ROLLS

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)

  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the warm water and quick rise yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
  2. Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg and salt.
  3. 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).
  4. Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking spray.
  5. 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.
  6. Pour dough onto a lightly floured surface, sprinkle a good amount of flour on top of the dough.
  7. Knead a couple times until the dough forms a ball.
  8. Use a bench scarper to gather pieces of dough, use below guide to form the dinner rolls.

FOR THE SMALL DINNER ROLLS

  1. #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

  1. #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

  1. #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.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°.
  3. Bake, For small rolls: 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.
  4. For large rolls: 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
  6. If desired, brush tops of the warm dinner roll with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  7. Serve Warm.
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
In a large bowl, mix everything together the night before, cover and place in the refrigerator to rise.
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
The next day, pour dough onto a well floured surface, flour top of dough, roll around until the dough forms a ball.
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Cut into 24 small pieces (about 1.9 ounces each) or 18 large pieces (about 2.6 ounces each). Spray a 9×13 -inch baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Form dough pieces into balls, place in prepared pan.
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Cover with a lint free towel, place in a cold oven, turn on the light and close the door.
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls
Let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size AND BAKE.

How to Make Overnight Shaped Dinner Rolls

Overnight Refrigerator 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.

  1. Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
  2. 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.
  3. Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
  4. Divide dough into desired dinner roll size (see about guide), place in a 9×13 inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap, also sprayed with non stick cooking spray, refrigerate overnight.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

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:

  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
  2. Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg and salt.
  3. Beat on low with the paddle attachment (scraping down the sides) until you have a soft dough (dough will still be sticky).
  4. Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking spray.
  5. Place dough in bowl, spray the top of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
  6. THE NEXT DAY: Pour dough onto a well floured surface, sprinkle a good amount of flour on top of the dough.
  7. Knead a couple times until the dough forms a ball.
  8. Use below guide to form the dinner rolls.

For the Small Rolls:

  1. #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:

  1. #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:

  1. #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.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°.
  3. Bake, For small rolls: 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. For large rolls: 20-25 minutes or until golden.
  4. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
  5. If desired, brush tops of rolls with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  6. 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.

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve yeast.
  2. Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg, and salt.
  3. 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).
  4. Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
  5. 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.
  6. Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
  7. Divide dough into desired dinner roll size (see above guide), place in a 9x13 inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
  8. Cover with plastic wrap, also sprayed with non stick cooking spray, refrigerate overnight.
  9. 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.
  10. Follow above baking directions.

How to Make Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls for the Freezer:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast; stir to dissolve the yeast.
  2. Add flour, sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, egg, and salt.
  3. 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).
  4. Add dough to a large bowl sprayed with non stick cooking spray, cover with a lint free towel or plastic wrap.
  5. 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.
  6. Pour dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour over the top, knead until the dough comes together to form a ball.
  7. 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).
  8. Place cookie sheet with dough balls in the freezer until frozen solid.
  9. 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:

  1. Take the rolls out of the freezer, place them in a 9x13-inch baking pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
  2. 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.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°.
  4. 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.
  5. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and immediately remove rolls from pan.
  6. If desired, brush tops of rolls with the 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  7. 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).

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment and rate the recipe card so others can enjoy the recipe too!♥

© Sheryl
Overnight Refrigerator Rolls

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Comments

Easy Overnight Refrigerator Dinner Rolls — 62 Comments

  1. after you make the balls of dough you can also freeze them on the pan and then place them in zip lock bags. When you are just needing a few at a time. take out put on your pan of choice and then let it defrost and rise then bake as usual. My mom does this all the time sense it is just her at home now and sometimes she wants a few fresh rolls for dinner or for a few of her and her friends and does not want a whole pan.

    Reply ↓

  8. Years ago I found a recipe similar to this. The recipe stated you could keep this recipe in the fridge up to a week and tear off a little at a time and bake. I haven’t been able to find it for years. I hope this is it..

    Reply ↓

  10. In the past, l used a favorite Betty Crocker recipe, but it wasn’t working very well for me, the last few years. So this Thanksgiving, one of my granddaughters made the “old” recipe and the “new” recipe. The clear winner was Sheryl’s Overnight Refrigerator Rolls. I made a batch of dough tonight and can’t wait to make cloverleaf rolls tomorrow night!

    Reply ↓

  13. Dear Lady Behind th Curtain,

    Come on out from behind that curtain. Best recipe I have ever used. I make bread overnight! Yeah. Love the taste too! This is easy and good. Thank you.

    Reply ↓

  15. Made these with 2 cups white whole wheat flour & 2 cups AP on dough cycle in bread machine, an egg white wash so that “everything bagel” topping would stick, and everyone at my dinner party LOVED them. It required a longer second rise though.

    Reply ↓

  18. Once I put the rolls in the pan, how long can I wait to bake? I want to prepare before dinner as early as possible so I can cook my other food for Thanksgiving?

    Reply ↓

  19. Sheryl, Uncle Marcus is going to make these for Thanksgiving but when he looked at how to freeze he was confused because it says something about #9 and #10.

    Aunt Vernie

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Verna Mae, I revised the recipe to make it easier to understand. The freezer section is only if the rolls are going to be made in advance.

      Reply ↓

  21. I have made these rolls for years. Most often I would make cinnamon rolls and take them to work to share with coworkers. They went very quickly and everyone really liked them. This is such a good recipe because it can be made in the evening when you have more time.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Judy, Probably? Maybe your yeast was old. I would still form the dough into balls and go through the process just incase they do rise the second time.

      Reply ↓

  23. This looks great and I read all of the comments. I plan to make these for our Easter dinner next week. I have a packet of active dry yeast and read that you can use it interchangeably with instant yeast (just add about 15 more min. to the rise time). Do you agree or should I definitely use instant? Thanks!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Lorie, I would add the water to the mixing bowl as the recipe states with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Leave it to proof for 10-15 minutes (It should have bubbles on top). Once the yeast has proofed, continue with the recipe.

      Reply ↓

  24. Have you ever tried to do the dough only part in a bread machine. Usually when I do any type of homemade bread I use my bread machine because didn’t have a standing free mixer and my old hands will not do the kneading now (I’m 73 years old :-}) and then do the rising twice, once in the ball shape and then last in the roll shape. I will try this recipe for the refrigerator and travel about a hour to place we are having our Thanksgiving Dinner and cook them there. Do you think this will work?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Judy, I don’t have a bread machine. If you let the dough have a second rise in the refrigerator and then travel, most likely the dough will fall. This is a total guess on my part since I’ve never traveled with rolls that haven’t been baked. How about this? Make the rolls, skip the second rise. Place rolls in a 9×13 inch pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray and freeze. Let the rolls rise on the way to your destination in the backseat of the car where it will be warm. Making sure they are well covered and protected from dust. Depending on how warm it is in your car will determine how long it will take for the rolls to double in size. It could take up to 2 hours. Unless you plan on arriving early, you may want to start the second rising process at home. I hope this helps. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply ↓

  25. I found a recipe for Big Mac sliders that I want to make. And these rolls look like perfect bread to make for them. They kinda look like biscuits. Anywhoo, I will be making them regardless. Tfs this wonderful recipe sweetie😋😋😋😘😘😘

    Reply ↓

  26. Can you form the dough into the balls and refrigerate them overnight? And the following morning
    take them out to rise and bake.

    Reply ↓

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