Golden Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

These whole wheat dinner rolls have a golden-brown crust and a soft, fluffy center with a touch of earthy heartiness. Whole wheat flour adds a mild nutty flavor and a bit of density, while all-purpose flour keeps the texture light and airy.

I’ve tested my way through a lot of wheat roll recipes. Most either lean way too heavy and dense or go the opposite and taste like regular white rolls. This version? Right in the sweet spot. A little honey, a mix of flours, and that second rise really make a difference. And if you’ve got a stand mixer, this dough basically makes itself.

If you’re into baking, you might also love my Irish Soda Bread, Banana Bread with Streusel Topping, or these Hawaiian Dinner Rolls. They’re all easy bakes with a cozy, homemade vibe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and fluffy: These homemade rolls turn out soft and fluffy every time.
• Subtle sweetness: The honey in these rolls, add a subtle sweetness that balances out the flavor of the whole wheat.
• Freezer-friendly: These rolls are freezer-friendly, so they are perfect to make ahead for the holidays.

Ingredients

This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Warm milk – You want it around 110°F so the yeast gets happy.
• Active dry yeast – One packet does the job.
• Honey – Adds just the right hint of sweetness.
• Unsalted butter – Melted, for moisture and flavor.
• Salt – A must to bring out all the other flavors.
• Whole wheat flour – For that hearty, nutty base.
• All-purpose flour – Keeps things light and fluffy.
• Egg (optional) – For an egg wash that gives that shiny, golden top.

How to Make Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Mix the warm milk, yeast, and honey in a bowl. Let it get foamy (about 5–10 minutes). Stir in the melted butter and salt.

2. Mix in the whole wheat flour. Slowly add the all-purpose flour until the dough comes together. Knead on a floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth or use the dough hook to the stand mixer.

3. Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about an hour).

4. Punch it down and divide into 12 balls.

5. Place in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Let them rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.

6. Brush with beaten egg. Bake at 375°F for 18–22 minutes until golden.

What To Serve With This Dish

Serve these rolls with your holiday entree, like this oven-sliced turkey breast, or they also pair well with ham and bean soup or even brisket chili.

Substitutions and Additions

• Maple syrup: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a slightly different sweetness.
• Olive oil: Swap the butter for olive oil if you want a dairy-free option.
• Flour: You can use all plain flour or white wheat flour for a lighter flavor

How To Store

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze baked rolls in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Wrap in foil and warm in the oven at 300°F until heated through.

Sandra’s Pro Tips

• Don’t rush the rising time. That’s how you get fluffy rolls.
• Use a kitchen scale for even dough balls (worth it!).
• If your kitchen’s chilly, let the dough rise in the oven with the light on.
• Brushing with egg wash gives that bakery-style shine.
• Add a sprinkle of flaky salt on top if you want a savory kick.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

Other Delicious Bread Recipes You May Enjoy

• 1 cup warm milk about 110°F
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
• 1 egg lightly beaten (optional, for egg wash)

• In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and honey. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

• Stir in melted butter and salt, then mix in whole wheat flour. Gradually add all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms.

• Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic or with a dough hook from a stand or hand mixer.

• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch down the dough.

• Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

• Brush rolls with beaten egg if desired and bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown.

• Don’t rush the rising time. That’s how you get fluffy rolls.
• Use a kitchen scale for even dough balls (worth it!).
• If your kitchen’s chilly, let the dough rise in the oven with the light on.
• Brushing with egg wash gives that bakery-style shine.
• Add a sprinkle of flaky salt on top if you want a savory kick.

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.