Soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet, these Texas Roadhouse copycat dinner rolls are easy to make from scratch. They are brushed with melted butter after baking and served with creamy cinnamon honey butter for a restaurant-style side dish at home.
These homemade dinner rolls are perfect for steak dinners, soups, holiday meals, and family gatherings. The dough is simple to prepare, and most of the work is done while it rises.
Why You’ll Love These Copycat Dinner Rolls
Soft and fluffy texture
These copycat dinner rolls have a tender, pillowy center and a lightly golden crust. The combination of yeast, milk, butter, and honey gives the dough a soft texture and a pleasant sweetness.
For the best results, avoid adding too much flour. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky at the beginning of kneading, but it should become smooth and elastic as the gluten develops.
Sweet and buttery flavor
Honey adds a gentle sweetness without making the rolls taste like dessert. Melted butter enriches the dough and gives the finished rolls a delicious buttery flavor.
After baking, brush the warm rolls with more melted butter. This adds flavor and helps keep the outside soft.
Perfect for family dinners and holidays
Serve these rolls with grilled steak, roast chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, soup, or chili. They also make a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday dinners.
You can prepare the dough in advance, which makes this recipe especially useful when cooking for guests.
Better than store-bought rolls
Homemade rolls are best served warm from the oven. They have a fresh yeast aroma, a soft interior, and a rich flavor that is difficult to achieve with packaged dinner rolls.
The recipe also uses everyday ingredients, including all-purpose flour, milk, yeast, butter, honey, egg, and salt.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients for the dinner rolls
You will need:
- 1¼ cups warm milk.
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, or 1 packet.
- ¼ cup honey.
- 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided.
- 1 large egg.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour.
The exact amount of flour may vary depending on the size of the egg, the humidity, and how the flour is measured. Begin with 4 cups and add more only if the dough is too sticky to handle.
Best type of yeast to use
Active dry yeast works well in this recipe and should be dissolved in warm milk before the flour is added. You can also use instant yeast, which may be mixed directly with the dry ingredients.
The milk should feel warm but not hot. Very hot liquid can damage the yeast and prevent the dough from rising properly.
Ingredients for cinnamon honey butter
For the cinnamon honey butter, combine:
- ½ cup softened unsalted butter.
- ¼ cup honey.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, optional.
Let the butter soften at room temperature before mixing. Softened butter creates a smooth, creamy spread.
Helpful baking equipment
The following equipment makes the recipe easier:
- Large mixing bowl.
- Stand mixer with a dough hook, optional.
- Rolling pin.
- Sharp knife or dough cutter.
- Baking sheet.
- Parchment paper.
- Pastry brush.
- Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
You can make the dough by hand if you do not have a stand mixer.
How to Make Texas Roadhouse Copycat Dinner Rolls
Activate the yeast
Add the warm milk, yeast, and honey to a large mixing bowl. Stir gently and leave the mixture for about 5 to 10 minutes.
The yeast should begin to foam or look slightly creamy on the surface. This shows that the yeast is active. If nothing happens, check the expiration date of the yeast and make sure the milk was not too hot or too cold.
Prepare and knead the dough
Add 3 tablespoons of melted butter, the egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
Add 4 cups of flour gradually, mixing after each addition. If using a stand mixer, knead the dough with the dough hook for about 6 to 8 minutes. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
The finished dough should be smooth, soft, and elastic. Add the remaining flour 1 tablespoon at a time only if the dough is extremely sticky.
Let the dough rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and turn it once so the surface is coated. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size. The rising time can vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
Shape and proof the rolls
Gently press down the risen dough to release excess air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle approximately ½ inch thick.
Cut the dough into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife or dough cutter. Arrange the pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
Cover the shaped rolls and let them rise again for 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise helps create a lighter, fluffier texture.
Preheat the oven to 350°F, or 175°C. Bake the rolls for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.
Brush the hot rolls with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter and serve warm.
Tips for Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls
Use the correct liquid temperature
Warm milk helps activate the yeast, but it should not be hot. If you have a kitchen thermometer, aim for approximately 105°F to 115°F, or 40°C to 46°C.
Without a thermometer, test the milk with your finger. It should feel comfortably warm rather than hot.
Avoid adding too much flour
Adding too much flour is one of the most common reasons homemade rolls become dense. Measure the flour by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling the top instead of scooping directly from the bag.
The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky before the first rise. It should not be dry or stiff.
Give the dough enough time to rise
Yeast dough needs time to develop flavor and volume. If your kitchen is cool, the dough may need more time to double.
Place the covered bowl in a warm area, but do not put it directly on a hot oven or in an overly hot location. The dough is ready when it has visibly increased in size and a gentle finger press leaves a slight indentation.
Brush the baked rolls with butter
Brushing the rolls with melted butter immediately after baking gives them a soft, glossy top and adds extra flavor.
For a slightly sweeter finish, serve the rolls with cinnamon honey butter while they are still warm.
Cinnamon Honey Butter, Serving, and Storage
How to make cinnamon honey butter
Add the softened butter, honey, cinnamon, and powdered sugar to a small bowl. Beat with a spoon, hand mixer, or spatula until smooth and creamy.
Taste the butter and adjust the cinnamon or honey according to your preference. Transfer it to a serving bowl and refrigerate it until needed.
Let the butter sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so it becomes easy to spread.
What to serve with homemade dinner rolls
These soft dinner rolls pair well with:
- Grilled steak or roast beef.
- Roast chicken or turkey.
- Creamy soups.
- Chili.
- Mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Green beans or roasted vegetables.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
- Breakfast sandwiches and leftover turkey sandwiches.
For a simple presentation, place the warm rolls in a basket lined with a clean cloth napkin and serve the cinnamon honey butter on the side.
How to store the rolls
Allow leftover rolls to cool completely before storing them. Place them in an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Warm them in the microwave for a few seconds or place them in a low oven until heated through.
How to freeze and reheat dinner rolls
To freeze baked rolls, allow them to cool completely and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw the rolls at room temperature, then warm them in a 300°F, or 150°C, oven for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Brush them with a little melted butter before serving.
You can also freeze the shaped, unbaked dough after the first rise. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, allow it to rise at room temperature, and then bake as directed.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Texas Roadhouse rolls so soft?
A yeast-based dough with milk, butter, honey, and two rising periods helps create soft and fluffy rolls.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes. Instant yeast can be used in the same quantity. It may be mixed directly with the flour, although allowing it to dissolve in the warm milk is also fine.
Can I make these rolls without a stand mixer?
Yes. Mix the dough with a wooden spoon, then knead it by hand on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes. After kneading, cover the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Let it sit at room temperature before shaping, then allow the shaped rolls to complete their second rise before baking.
How do I know when the rolls are done?
The rolls should be lightly golden on top and feel light when lifted. Avoid overbaking, as this can make them dry.
Can I freeze homemade dinner rolls?
Yes. Freeze fully baked rolls in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Texas Roadhouse Copycat Dinner Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dinner Rolls
- 1¼ cups warm milk approximately 105°F–115°F or 40°C–46°C.
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast.
- ¼ cup honey.
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and divided.
- 1 large egg.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
- 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour.
For the Cinnamon Honey Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened.
- ¼ cup honey.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar optional.
Instructions
- Add the warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey to a large mixing bowl. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy.
- Add 3 tablespoons of the melted butter, the egg, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Gradually add 4 cups of flour, mixing after each addition. Add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, only if the dough is very sticky.
- Knead the dough with a stand mixer and dough hook for 6 to 8 minutes, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes. The dough should be smooth, soft, and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Gently press down the dough to release excess air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle approximately ½ inch thick.
- Cut the dough into 12 squares or rectangles using a sharp knife or dough cutter.
- Arrange the rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Cover and let them rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, or 175°C.
- Bake the rolls for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
- Brush the hot rolls with the remaining melted butter.
- To make the cinnamon honey butter, combine the softened butter, honey, cinnamon, and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Serve the warm dinner rolls with cinnamon honey butter.
Notes
- Add flour gradually to prevent dense or dry dinner rolls.
- The milk should be warm, not hot, so it does not damage the yeast.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freeze baked rolls in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat the rolls in a 300°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
