Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls

A hand holds a vegan dinner rolls with a bit of butter on top.

Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls

These vegan dinner rolls are tender and buttery, perfect for your next vegan dinner. Follow these instructions to make these yeast rolls tonight.

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Resting Time 2

Total Time 2 35

Servings rolls

Calories 149kcal

Author Marly McMillen

Equipment

9x13 Casserole Dish

Ingredients

1 flax egg
½ cup water
½ cup plant-based milk (see notes)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
2 ½ teaspoons fast rise active-dry yeast (1 packet)
3 cups all purpose flour (or bread flour)
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup vegan butter , melted

Topping

2 tablespoons vegan butter , melted, for brushing

Cups - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the flax egg by combining finely ground flax seed with water. Set aside for the mixture to thicken.
Combine the water and milk together in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds, until the liquid becomes just lukewarm. You should be able to insert your finger into the liquid and not feel a notable difference.
Add the sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Stir and set aside.
To the bowl of a stand mixer (or mixing bowl if you don't have a stand mixer) add the remaining sugar, flax egg, melted vegan butter, salt, and 1 cup flour.
With the paddle attachment, mix/beat on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add the yeast mixture and the remaining flour. Beat on medium speed until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl (around 2 minutes). Add a tablespoon or two of additional flour if the dough is too wet. You want the dough to be slightly sticky.
Knead the Dough: Switch to a dough hook and knead the dough on medium speed for 3 minutes. If you don't have a stand mixer, transfer the dough to a clean and lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 3 minutes.
First Rise: Transfer the dough ball to a large bowl sprayed with vegetable oil. Turn the dough ball to ensure all sides are covered with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and place in a warm, dry place to allow the dough to rise until it's doubled in size, roughly an hour or more. See post on ideas for where to let dough rise.
When the dough has risen, spread vegetable oil across the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish.
Shape the dough balls: Punch down the dough, then divide it into 14 to 16 equally-sized pieces. Dip each ball in the oil from the pan and gently pull the sides down, working the dough until it's the shape of a ball. It can help you work the dough if you occasionally touch your fingers into the oil in the pan. Place the dough balls about 1" apart in the prepared pan.
Second Rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap or a dampened kitchen towel. If using a sheet of plastic wrap, spray it with vegetable spray (so the plastic won't stick to the rising rolls). Cover and let rise 30 to 40 minutes until doubled in size.
Bake: When you're ready to bake, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). When the oven is at the correct temperature, remove the cover from the rolls, and place the pan in a lower rack in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown on top.
Remove them from the oven. Immediately brush with a thin layer of melted vegan butter. These rolls are best when served warm, but can be made ahead, frozen or refrigerated, and heated up prior to serving.

Notes

*Yeast rises best in a moist environment so lean on the side of the dough being too sticky rather than too dry.

Make-ahead Tips

Fridge Method — Place prepared dough balls in a pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate the whole pan. It will keep in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Ready to bake? Set the pan on the counter to allow the dough to come to room temperature. Then follow the baking instructions.

Freezer Method — Create the dough balls and place them on a tray, and place in the freezer. Once the dough is frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. This allows you to remove and bake a few at a time. Ready to bake? Place the frozen dough balls in a pan, cover the pan, and let the rolls thaw and rise. Then follow the baking instructions.

If you're working with refrigerated or frozen dough, allow additional rising time in the subsequent step.

Shaping Dinner Rolls

Follow these steps to make a basic round roll:

Portion the dough into 14 relatively equal pieces
Dip your fingers in oil from the pan and gently pull the sides down, working the dough until it’s the shape of a ball.
Pinch and seal the bottom of the dough ball
You can also roll the ball on a non-floured surface with your hand shaped like a large C.

Flavor Options

Rosemary Dinner Rolls - add 2 tablespoons chopped dried rosemary.
Garlic and Herb Dinner Rolls - add a teaspoon of garlic powder along with 2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls — There are two ways to create whole wheat dinner rolls 1) Use whole wheat pastry flour or 2) Substitute a quarter of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. That will add some fiber while keeping these vegan dinner rolls nice and fluffy.
Cheddar Dinner Rolls — Chop up half of a cup of vegan cheddar shreds and stir it into the dough. Of course, vegan cheddar biscuits are always great, too!

Plant-Based Milk

You can use higher-fat plant-based milk (such as cashew milk) for softer dinner rolls.

Nutrition