Go Back
+ servings
The Best 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Easy Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

Camila Benitez
This 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls Recipe makes any meal even more delicious with these soft and hearty dinner rolls. Our healthy dinner rolls recipe is a cut above your average dinner rolls, made with 100% Whole Wheat flour and sweetened with honey and light brown sugar. Make them for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc., or any day!); they'll be a delightful change to your dinner table and likely to become an instant family favorite! 😋😍
[gtranslate]
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 48 Rolls

Ingredients
  

For the Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls dough:

  • 17 g instant dry instant yeast
  • 100 ml warm whole milk (120 °F to 130 °F)
  • 118 ml avocado oil or 113g unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly , plus more for the bowl and baking pan
  • 95 g light brown sugar , brown sugar, or granulated sugar
  • 30 ml honey
  • 3 eggs , room temperature
  • 400 ml warm water (120 °F to 130 °F)
  • 1000 g whole wheat or white whole wheat flour spooned , leveled & sifted
  • 15 g kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons vital wheat gluten , optional

For Brushing:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter , melted

Instructions
 

  • Lined with parchment paper or grease with butter (2) 13x18x1 inch baking sheets; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the milk, water, honey, and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • With a fork, stir in the avocado oil or butter, sugar, salt, and egg. With the mixer on low, add the flour and then the vital wheat. Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick spray. Next, lightly oil your hand and transfer the dough to the prepared bowl, turning it to coat all sides in the oil. Cover with a cling wrap and allow the dough to rest in a relatively warm environment until doubled in size for about 1 hour, depending on the temperature of your house.
  • Remove cling wrap and punch dough to deflate. Transfer the dough to a work surface and cut it into 48 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball. Transfer the dough balls to the prepared pan, spacing them evenly (rolls will touch once they have risen). Cover and set in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

To Bake the Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Very gently brush the rolls with some melted butter. Bake the Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls until golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Brush with more melted butter and serve warm. Enjoy our Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls!

Notes

How to Store & Re-Heat
To store Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can store them at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you're storing them in the fridge, let them come to room temperature before reheating. To reheat the rolls, preheat your oven to 350°F and wrap the rolls in foil. Bake them for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
You could reheat them in the microwave by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving them on high for 15-20 seconds per roll. Be careful not to overheat them, as they can become inflexible and dry. Proper storage and reheating allow your Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls to stay fresh and delicious for days.
Make-Ahead
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls are a great make-ahead option for busy weeknights or special occasions. You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days or freeze it for up to a month. To prepare the dough ahead of time, follow the recipe to the point where you shape the rolls. Then, instead of letting them rise, cover the pan with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
When you're ready to bake the rolls, take them out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature for about an hour before baking. If you're freezing the dough, shape it into rolls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them until solid, transfer them to a resealable plastic bag, and store them in the freezer. To bake the frozen rolls, place them on a greased baking sheet, let them thaw, and rise for about 2-3 hours before baking.
With these make-ahead options, you can have fresh and delicious Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls on hand whenever needed.
How to Freeze
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls are a great item to freeze and have on hand for future meals. To freeze the rolls, let them cool completely to room temperature before wrapping them individually in plastic wrap. Next, place the wrapped rolls in a resealable plastic freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Label the bag with the date to track how long they have been frozen.
The rolls can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw the rolls, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven or microwave, as described earlier. Freezing Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls is a convenient way to always have fresh rolls on hand, and they can be easily reheated for a quick and easy addition to any meal.
Notes:
The Dough will be quite slack while kneading; try lightly oiling your work surface instead of adding extra flour to achieve the softest, most tender buns.
The whole wheat flour will absorb a lot of the stickiness during the first rising, so don't be tempted to add extra flour to make the dough smooth and elastic; instead, stop as soon as you can handle the dough and lightly oil your hands when you're handling the dough, this will keep the dough from sticking to your hands without adding any heaviness to the dough.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
Amount per Serving
Calories
106
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Cholesterol
 
16
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
128
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
90
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
18
g
6
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
80
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
0.01
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
14
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

Did you Like the Recipe?We would appreciate it if you could rate it. Also, make sure to check out our Youtube Channel for more great recipes. Please share it on social media and tag us so we can see your delicious creations. Thank you!