Irresistibly Soft Pull Apart Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Pull Apart Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Serving warm, homemade rolls always sparks joy at my holiday meals and Sunday dinners. These soft, pull-apart sourdough dinner rolls have become my go-to recipe. They are comforting, fluffy, and surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re short on time or want to prepare ahead, I’ll show you flexible methods in,luding same-day and overnight baking options that fit any busy schedule.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Foolproof Recipe

• Unbelievably Soft & Fluffy Crumb: Thanks to enriched ingredients and gentle handling, these rolls have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Flexible Schedule (Same-Day or Overnight): Choose the baking timetable that suits your day, whether spontaneous or planned ahead.
• Simple, No-Knead Technique: No need for intense kneading; stretch and folds encourage gluten development.
• That Perfect Tangy Sourdough Flavor: Enjoy the subtle tang that only a well-maintained sourdough starter can provide, making these rolls truly unique.

Sourdough Basics for This Recipe

If you’re new to sourdough baking, here’s a quick primer:

• Active Starter: This is your bubbly, well-fed sourdough starter ready to leaven dough. It should have doubled in size with visible bubbles.
• Float Test: Drop a small spoonful of your starter in water—it should float if it’s ready.
• Bulk Fermentation: The initial rise where the dough doubles or increases by about 50% in size, allowing it to develop flavor and texture.

If you want to dive deeper, check out our detailed guide on making and maintaining sourdough starters.

The Science of Soft Sourdough Rolls

Unlike lean sourdough breads, these dinner rolls are enriched with milk, butter, and sugar which all work together to create softness and flavor. Milk adds moisture and tenderness; butter enriches the crumb and encourages even browning; sugar feeds the yeast for a subtle sweetness and faster rise. This combination makes these rolls irresistibly soft and beautifully golden—perfect for pulling apart fresh from the oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tablespoon sourdough starter
• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar (or 2 tablespoons honey)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup active sourdough starter
• 3 cups + 2 tablespoons bread flour
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing after baking)

Ingredient Functions

• Bread Flour: Provides necessary gluten strength for a sturdy yet soft roll structure.
• Milk: Adds moisture and enriches the dough for tenderness and softness.
• Butter: Contributes richness, improves crumb texture, and enhances browning.
• Sourdough Starter: The natural leavening agent, giving the rolls their signature tang and helping with rise.

Essential Equipment

• Stand mixer (optional but helpful for mixing and stretch-and-folds)
• Glass 9×13-inch baking dish or similar pan
• Kitchen scale (for precise ingredient measurements)
• Bench scraper (for dividing dough efficiently)
• Small saucepan (for melting milk and butter mixture)

Your Baking Schedule: Same-Day vs. Overnight Options

Same-Day Baking Schedule

• 8:00 PM (Previous Night): Feed your sourdough starter to prepare active starter.
• 7:30 AM: Melt butter, milk, sugar, and salt; cool mixture.
• 8:00 AM: Mix dough with flour and active starter; rest 1 hour.
• 9:00 AM: Perform 3 sets of stretch-and-folds, 30 minutes apart; then bulk ferment 2 hours until dough rises 50%.
• 12:00 PM: Shape rolls, arrange in baking dish, cover and proof for 3-4 hours.
• 4:00 PM: Preheat oven and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes; brush with melted butter and serve.

Overnight Cold Fermentation Schedule

• 8:00 PM: Feed starter for active starter.
• 7:30 AM: Prepare milk mixture and mix dough; rest and perform stretch-and-folds as per usual.
• 12:00 PM: Shape rolls; cover and refrigerate overnight for a slow, cold proof.
• Next Day 3:30-4:00 PM: Remove from fridge to warm slightly, then bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes. Brush with melted butter and serve.

How to Make Pull Apart Sourdough Dinner Rolls

Making these pull apart sourdough dinner rolls is easier and more rewarding than you might think.

Step 1: Feed Your Starter

At 8 PM, 12 hours before mixing dough, combine water, flour, and starter to make ½ cup of active starter. Stir, loosely cover, and keep at room temperature until it doubles and bubbles form.

Step 2: Prepare the Milk Mixture

At 7:30 AM, melt butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Pour into a bowl and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

At 8 AM, add bread flour and active sourdough starter to the cooled milk mixture. Stir with a spatula until no dry bits remain. Cover and rest for 1 hour at room temperature.

Step 4: First Rise with Stretch and Folds

Starting at 9 AM, perform 3 sets of stretch-and-folds every 30 minutes. To stretch and fold, lift dough gently from one side and fold over itself, rotating until you complete a circle. Then cover and let rise 2 hours until dough increases by 50%.

Step 5: Shape and Second Rise

At 12 PM, turn dough onto a floured surface. Divide into 12 pieces (~65 grams each). Shape each into a smooth ball, seam side down. Arrange in a greased glass baking dish, cover with a tea towel, and proof for 3-4 hours.

Step 6: Bake

Preheat oven to 375°F about 20 minutes before baking. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F. Brush tops with melted butter and serve warm.

(Visuals for stretch-and-folds and shaping techniques are highly recommended here.)

Creative Variations & Toppings

• Brush rolls with garlic-herb butter right after baking for an aromatic twist.
• Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning for a savory, crunchy topping.
• Fold shredded cheddar and jalapeño into the dough for a spicy, cheesy surprise.
• Add rosemary and sea salt flakes on top before baking for a fragrant finish.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

Making the Dough in Advance (Cold Proof)

After shaping the rolls, cover them and refrigerate overnight for a slow cold proof. This allows flavor to develop and helps fit baking into a busy schedule. Before baking, let rolls come to room temp for about 30 minutes.

Freezing and Reheating Baked Rolls

Wrap baked rolls tightly in foil and freeze. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until soft and warm.

Troubleshooting Your Sourdough Rolls

Problem	Solution
My rolls are dense or gummy	Ensure your starter is active and bubbly before mixing. Perform stretch-and-folds properly to build gluten.
My dough is too sticky	Add a little more bread flour by tablespoons during mixing. Avoid overhydration and use kitchen scale.
My dough isn’t rising properly	Check the temperature; dough needs a warm environment (70-75°F) to rise. Make sure starter is fully active.

Dairy-Free & Vegan Variations

Original Ingredient	Recommended Substitute	Notes
Milk	Unsweetened plant-based milk	Almond, oat, or soy milk work well.
Butter	Vegan butter or coconut oil	Choose a solid fat with a similar melting point.
Egg Wash (optional)	Aquafaba or plant milk brush	Brushing before baking adds shine and color.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I get a more or less sour flavor in my rolls?

Control sourness by adjusting fermentation time and feeding schedule of your starter. Longer fermentation increases tang, shorter yields milder flavor.

What is the ‘windowpane test’ and why does it matter?

The windowpane test checks gluten development. Stretch a small piece of dough until thin and translucent without tearing. Proper gluten gives good structure to rolls.

Can I use a different type of flour for these rolls?

Bread flour is preferred for structure, but all-purpose flour can work with a slightly softer crumb. Avoid whole wheat or rye without adjusting hydration first.

Conclusion

Making these pull apart sourdough dinner rolls is easier and more rewarding than you might think. They’re soft, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion—weeknight dinners, special holidays, or just because you deserve something cozy. I’d love to hear what occasion you’re baking these for! Leave a comment below with your questions, share your results, and don’t forget to rate the recipe. Let’s keep baking simple, comforting, and joyful together!