Quick and Easy No Yeast Dinner Rolls: Fluffy, flavorful, and ready in under an hour.
Craving fresh, homemade dinner rolls but short on time? These no yeast dinner rolls are the perfect solution! Made with simple ingredients like Greek yogurt and rye flour, these rolls offer a delightful balance of soft, tender insides with a slightly crisp exterior. The subtle tang from the yogurt and the nutty flavor from the rye make them a versatile side dish for any meal.
Best of all, they come together in less than an hour, making them a quick and easy option for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Whether you’re serving them with butter, soups, or alongside your favorite main dish, these rolls are sure to be a hit at your table.
Tools & Equipment
- Dough scraper
- Food processor
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Silicone spatula
- Wire rack
Recipe Tips
Baking Powder: This is a good substitute for yeast as it provides the leavening needed for fluffy rolls. Instead of baking powder, you could also use baking soda.
Buttermilk or Yogurt: These add moisture and tenderness to the rolls, making them soft and flavorful. They also help activate the baking soda if you’re using it.
Bake at a High Temperature: Bake the rolls at a higher temperature (200°C/400°F) for a shorter time to help them rise quickly and stay soft inside with a golden crust.
Add Flavorings: Enhance the rolls with herbs, garlic, or cheese in the dough or as a topping to make them even more flavorful.
Ingredients for No Yeast Dinner Rolls
- Low Fat Greek Yogurt adds moisture, tenderness, and a slight tangy flavor to the dough. It also provides acidity, which reacts with the baking powder to help the rolls rise and become fluffy. The protein content helps strengthen the dough structure, contributing to a chewy yet soft texture.
- Water hydrates the flour, which helps develop gluten for structure. It also ensures the dough has the right consistency for mixing and kneading. Since yogurt is already thick, water helps to loosen the dough, making it easier to work with.
- All-purpose flour forms the bulk of the dough, providing structure through gluten development. It contributes to the light, fluffy texture of the rolls. The gluten in this flour helps trap air during baking, giving the rolls their rise.
- Rye flour adds a deeper, slightly nutty flavor and a denser texture to the rolls. It also contributes to the overall nutrition, adding fiber and nutrients. Rye flour contains less gluten than all-purpose flour, so it can make the dough denser, which balances the lightness of the all-purpose flour.
- Salt enhances the flavor of the rolls and strengthens the gluten network in the dough, contributing to the overall structure. It also helps control the fermentation process and balance the flavors.
- Baking powder is the leavening agent in this recipe. It provides the rise needed to make the rolls fluffy and light by releasing carbon dioxide gas when mixed with the wet ingredients. The combination of Greek yogurt’s acidity and the baking powder ensures the rolls have a good lift.
Directions – How to Make No Yeast Dinner Rolls
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Place all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor.
Stir with a silicone spatula first. Process until the mixture forms a sticky dough. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a ball with floured hands.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape into balls. Coat the balls in flour and place on the prepared baking sheet, let them rest for 10 minutes.
Use a dough scraper to press down in the center of each roll, but do not press all the way through. Bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool on a wire rack.
Storing and Freezing Instructions for No Yeast Dinner Rolls
Storage: These dinner rolls can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Once the rolls have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep them fresh.
Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the dinner rolls for up to 3 months. Let the rolls cool completely after baking. Wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place the wrapped rolls in a ziplock bag or airtight container.
Thawing & Reheating: Remove the rolls from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. Alternatively, you can thaw them overnight in the fridge. Preheat your oven to 150°C/300°F. Place the thawed rolls on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they’re heated through.
My Summary for No Yeast Dinner Rolls
Difficulty: Simple.
Taste & Texture: These no yeast dinner rolls have a slightly tangy flavor due to the Greek yogurt, which adds a subtle richness. The rye flour contributes a mild, nutty flavor, balancing the tang and providing depth. They are less sweet, making them perfect for pairing with butter, soups, or as a side to main dishes. The rolls are soft and tender inside with a slightly denser crumb compared to yeast rolls, thanks to the rye flour and the absence of yeast. The exterior is slightly crisp and golden, while the inside remains moist and chewy. Despite being denser, they are still light.
Time: Preparing the rolls takes about 30 minutes. Baking time is 20-25 minutes and cooling time is about 10-15 minutes.
