🍞 The Most Tender Vegan Dinner Rolls

Soft, fluffy, buttery, and incredibly tender, these homemade rolls have a delicate crumb and a lightly golden top. Perfect for dinner, holidays, sandwiches, or simply eating warm from the oven.

Makes: 12 rolls
Prep: 25 minutes
Rise: 1½–2 hours
Bake: 18–22 minutes
Total: ~2½ hours

Ingredients

• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm unsweetened plant milk
• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) warm water
• 3 tbsp vegan butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 3–3½ cups (375–440 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave, optional

For brushing

• 2 tbsp melted vegan butter
• Pinch of flaky salt, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: Combine warm plant milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Make the dough: Stir in melted vegan butter and salt. Add 3 cups of flour gradually, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
3. Knead: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 7–9 minutes, adding a little more flour only if necessary. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and soft. Don’t add too much flour—a slightly tacky dough produces more tender rolls.
4. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 60–75 minutes, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape: Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pulling the edges underneath.
6. Second rise: Arrange the rolls in a lightly greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan, leaving a little space between them. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until noticeably puffy.
7. Bake: Heat the oven to 190°C / 375°F. Brush the tops lightly with melted vegan butter. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown on top.
8. Finish: Brush the hot rolls with more melted vegan butter immediately after removing them from the oven. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
9. Serve: Let cool for about 10 minutes, then pull apart and serve warm.