Soft Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls

These soft gluten-free dinner rolls are pillowy, buttery, and foolproof! Perfect for Thanksgiving food gluten free or any family dinner. Easy homemade bread gluten free!

There’s something magical about pulling a pan of golden, buttery dinner rolls from the oven right before everyone sits down to eat. The way they practically glow under the kitchen lights, their tops glistening with melted butter—it’s pure comfort.

I’ll be honest: for years after going gluten-free, I thought homemade soft gluten-free dinner rolls were off the table for good. Every recipe I tried came out dense, gummy, or just plain sad. Then I discovered the secret wasn’t complicated techniques—it was patience, the right ratio of ingredients, and a cold rise that changed everything.

Now these soft gluten-free dinner rolls are my secret weapon for holidays, Sunday suppers, and anytime I want my family to feel truly spoiled. They’re tender enough to pull apart with your fingers but sturdy enough to hold up to gravy or a smear of honey butter. And watching someone take that first bite and realize they’re gluten-free? That never gets old.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, following a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease, which affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide. Having reliable recipes for homemade bread gluten free means nobody has to miss out on those special meal moments that bring us all together.

Soft Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls Ingredients

• 3 ¼ cups (455g) all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (See Recipe Notes)
• 3 ¼ teaspoons xanthan gum (omit if your blend already contains it)
• ⅞ cup (105g) tapioca starch/flour, plus more for sprinkling
• 4 teaspoons (12g) instant yeast (See Recipe Notes)
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ⅝ cups (13 fluid ounces) warm milk (about 90°F)
• 8 tablespoons (112g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled (plus more for brushing)
• 2 (50g) egg whites, at room temperature

Instructions

Make the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer (See Recipe Notes), place the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, tapioca starch/flour, instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Whisk everything together until it’s well combined—this ensures your soft gluten-free dinner rolls rise evenly.

Add the salt and whisk again to combine. Here’s a little trick I learned: adding salt separately keeps it from directly touching the yeast, which can slow down the rising process.

Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg whites to the bowl. Using the paddle attachment, beat vigorously until the mixture comes together in a clump and clears the sides of the bowl. Keep beating until it begins to look whipped and sticks to the side of the mixing bowl again—this usually takes about 6 minutes total.

Transfer the mixture to a lightly oiled bucket or bowl with a very tight-fitting lid. The container should be large enough for the dough to nearly double, though it won’t quite double fully. This is totally normal for homemade bread gluten free recipes!

Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days. I know waiting feels impossible when you’re excited to bake, but this cold rest is what gives these soft gluten free dinner rolls their incredible texture.

Don’t let the dough rest for too long, or your rolls will rise much more irregularly after shaping. If your dough has been refrigerated for more than 1 hour, allow it to sit at room temperature until it’s no longer very cold to the touch before working with it.

Shape the Rolls

Grease a quarter sheet pan or 2 8-inch round cake pans for baking, and set them aside. You’ll decide later if you’d like to crowd the rolls so they rise and bake touching, or keep them separate.

Flour a clean, dry work surface very lightly with tapioca starch. Divide the dough in half, then each half into 8 equal portions, for 16 pieces—each about 2 ½ ounces in weight. A kitchen scale makes this so much easier!

Working with one piece of dough at a time, cup your fingers around the dough, keep the side of your palm on the surface, and move your hand in tight circles to coax the dough into a round. It’s kind of like those pottery wheel videos, but with bread. Place the shaped rounds in your chosen baking pan(s).

For Thanksgiving food gluten free gatherings, I love crowding them together so they rise mostly up and pull apart into soft, fluffy pieces. For regular dinners, spacing them gives you rolls with more crust all around.

Let Rise

Cover the pan(s) with lightly greased plastic wrap, place in a warm, draft-free location, and allow to rise until about 150% of their original size. They won’t quite double, and that’s perfect!

This rise can take anywhere from 45 minutes to hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is. Don’t stress about overproofing—it’s not very likely. You’ll only know they’ve gone too far if the surface begins to look pockmarked.

When the rolls are nearing the end of their rise, preheat your oven to 375°F. Once properly risen, remove the plastic wrap and brush generously on all exposed sides with melted butter. Don’t be shy with that butter—it’s what makes these soft gluten-free dinner rolls absolutely irresistible!

Bake

Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each roll reads about 190°F. If there’s any space between the rolls after they’ve risen, they’ll take around 20 minutes until fully baked.

If the rolls are touching one another, lower the oven temperature to about 350°F at 18 minutes and continue to bake for about another 5 minutes or until the center reaches 190°F. This prevents the outsides from getting too dark while the middles finish cooking.

Remove the pan from the oven, and with the rolls still in the hot pan, brush again with melted butter. Serve warm and watch them disappear!

Substitutions & Swaps

Let’s talk about making these soft gluten-free dinner rolls work with what you’ve got or what your family needs.

Flour Blend: I’ve had great success with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1, King Arthur Measure for Measure, and Better Batter. The key is using a blend that’s designed for baking, not just a single flour. If your blend doesn’t include xanthan gum, make sure you add it—it’s what gives these homemade bread gluten free rolls their structure.

Milk: Any milk works beautifully here! I use whole milk most often, but 2%, oat milk, and almond milk all work. Just make sure it’s warm (about 90°F)—think baby bottle temperature. Too hot kills the yeast, too cold and your dough won’t rise properly.

Butter: For dairy-free soft gluten free dinner rolls, swap in your favorite vegan butter in equal amounts. The rolls will still be tender and delicious. You can also use melted coconut oil, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Egg Whites: If you’re avoiding eggs, try aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas). Use 3 tablespoons of aquafaba for every egg white. The texture stays surprisingly similar!

Yeast: Make absolutely sure you’re using instant yeast (also called rapid-rise or bread machine yeast), not active dry yeast. Instant yeast doesn’t need to be proofed first and gives better results for homemade bread gluten free recipes.

Troubleshooting Tips

Rolls didn’t rise much? First, check your yeast’s expiration date—old yeast just won’t perform. Also, make sure your milk wasn’t too hot (which kills yeast) or too cold (which makes yeast sluggish). These soft gluten free dinner rolls need that sweet spot around 90°F.

Dough seems too sticky? Gluten-free bread dough is naturally stickier than traditional bread dough. Resist the urge to add more flour! Instead, lightly oil your hands when shaping, and dust your work surface with just a whisper of tapioca starch.

Rolls came out dense? This usually means they needed more rising time. Remember, gluten-free dough rises more slowly than regular dough. Be patient and let them reach that 150% increase. Your Thanksgiving food gluten free table will thank you!

Tops got too brown before centers were done? Next time, tent the rolls loosely with foil about halfway through baking. This protects the tops while letting the insides finish cooking to that perfect 190°F.

Rolls are gummy inside? According to research from King Arthur Baking, gluten-free baked goods need to reach slightly higher internal temperatures than wheat-based goods. Always use an instant-read thermometer for these homemade bread gluten free rolls—guessing just doesn’t work!

Storage & Meal Prep

Here’s where these soft gluten-free dinner rolls really shine: they’re incredibly freezer-friendly and meal-prep champions.

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, they’re better toasted or warmed in the oven to refresh them. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm at 300°F for about 10 minutes.

For longer storage, freeze these beauties! Once completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag with as much air removed as possible. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm frozen rolls wrapped in foil at 325°F for 15-20 minutes.

Here’s my favorite make-ahead trick for holiday Thanksgiving food gluten free prep: shape the rolls, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, place frozen shaped rolls in your greased pan, cover, and let them thaw and rise at room temperature. This usually takes 2-4 hours, but you can do it overnight in the fridge, then let them come to room temp and finish rising. Bake as directed!

You can also refrigerate the shaped rolls overnight before their final rise. Just cover them tightly and pop them in the fridge. The next day, pull them out about 2-3 hours before you want to bake, let them come to room temperature, and allow them to rise. This is perfect for busy mornings when you want fresh homemade bread gluten free for brunch.

Serving Suggestions

These soft gluten free dinner rolls are incredibly versatile and deserve to shine at every meal.

Serve them warm with honey butter, regular butter, or olive oil with herbs for dipping. There’s something about that first bite when they’re still steaming from the oven that just feels like a hug.

They’re absolutely perfect alongside soups and stews. I love serving them with chili, chicken noodle soup, or a hearty beef stew. They soak up all those delicious juices without falling apart—which is rare for homemade bread gluten free options!

For Thanksgiving food gluten free spreads, these rolls are non-negotiable at my table. They hold up beautifully to gravy, complement turkey perfectly, and make everyone feel included. I usually make a double batch because they disappear faster than any side dish.

Turn them into slider buns for pulled pork, meatballs, or tiny burgers. Their soft texture and mild flavor make them ideal for any sandwich filling you can dream up.

Split them horizontally and toast them under the broiler for an incredible base for bruschetta or garlic bread. Brush with garlic butter, broil until golden, and prepare for requests for the recipe.

Variations for Every Occasion

Herbed Dinner Rolls: Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or a combination to the dough. These soft gluten free dinner rolls become instantly more sophisticated and pair beautifully with Italian meals.

Garlic Parmesan Rolls: Mix ½ cup grated Parmesan and 2 teaspoons garlic powder into the dry ingredients. Brush with garlic butter after baking. These are dangerous—they’ll be gone before dinner even starts!

Sweet Rolls: Increase the sugar to ⅓ cup and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough. After baking, brush with butter and dust with cinnamon sugar. Perfect for breakfast or brunch as homemade bread gluten free treats.

Everything Bagel Rolls: Before the final rise, brush shaped rolls with beaten egg white and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning. These make incredible sandwich rolls!

Honey Wheat Style: Replace ¼ cup of the sugar with honey and add 2 tablespoons of molasses to the wet ingredients. You’ll get that slightly sweet, rich flavor without any wheat.

Mini Rolls: Divide the dough into 24 smaller pieces instead of 16. Reduce baking time to about 15-18 minutes. These bite-sized soft gluten free dinner rolls are perfect for parties or as slider buns.

Soft Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls FAQs

More Gluten-Free Bread Favorites

If you’re loving the satisfaction of homemade soft gluten free dinner rolls, you’ll definitely want to explore more bread options. My Easy Protein Gluten-Free Bread Recipe is perfect for sandwiches and toast, giving you that everyday bread you’ve been missing.

And when you’re looking for savory meal ideas to serve alongside these rolls, my Easy Gluten-Free Chicken Taquitos make a fun, family-friendly dinner that everyone devours.

The beautiful thing about mastering homemade bread gluten free recipes is how it opens up your whole cooking world. Suddenly you’re not limited to store-bought options that cost a fortune and taste like cardboard. You can make exactly what you want, when you want it.

These rolls prove that gluten-free baking doesn’t have to be mysterious or difficult. With the right recipe and a little patience, you can create something that rivals any bakery—and tastes even better because you made it yourself.

Final Thoughts

Here’s what I want you to know about these soft gluten free dinner rolls: they’re worth every minute of mixing, waiting, and shaping. There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a pan of homemade rolls from your oven, especially when you’re navigating the gluten-free journey.

The first time I served these at a family dinner, my non-gluten-free relatives fought over the last one. That’s when I knew I’d finally cracked the code on homemade bread gluten free that actually tastes like the real deal.

Whether you’re preparing Thanksgiving food gluten free, hosting Sunday dinner, or just want to fill your home with that incredible fresh-bread smell, these rolls deliver. They’re tender without being fragile, flavorful without being complicated, and absolutely worth the small amount of patience they require.

So grab your stand mixer, set aside a little time, and get ready to blow everyone’s mind with homemade rolls that happen to be gluten-free. Your kitchen is about to become the most popular room in the house.

Happy baking, friend!