Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe

If you love soft, fluffy bread with a hint of natural sweetness and a fragrant touch of herbs, then you’re in for a treat with this Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe. These rolls are golden, tender, and surprisingly easy to make at home, even if you’re new to bread baking. Roasted butternut squash puree adds moisture and a subtle sweetness, while fresh rosemary gives a lovely savory twist. I absolutely love how these rolls come out—perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient works to give these Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe their unique flavor and texture. I always recommend using fresh rosemary and properly roasted squash to get the best taste. Plus, whole wheat flour adds a nice, hearty dimension.

• All-purpose flour: The main structure builder, essential for light and fluffy rolls.
• Whole wheat flour: Adds nuttiness and depth, balancing the sweetness.
• Instant yeast: Speeds up the rising process with reliable results.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
• Warm water: Activates the yeast and helps form the dough.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and keeps the rolls tender.
• Butter or olive oil: For richness and moist texture—choose either based on what you love.
• Butternut squash puree: The star ingredient that adds moisture, flavor, and a beautiful color.
• Fresh rosemary: Gives a fragrant herbal note that complements the sweetness perfectly.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. It’s such a versatile dough that you can tweak easily and still get great results.

• Add Fresh Herbs: Sometimes I swap rosemary for thyme or sage for a different herbaceous touch—try what you love or have in your garden!
• Dairy-Free Option: I’ve used olive oil instead of butter with excellent results if you want a vegan roll.
• Sweet Varieties: Add a handful of dried cranberries or chopped nuts to the dough for festive holidays or brunch.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: This dough is trickier gluten-free, but you could experiment with a blend designed for yeast breads.

How to Make Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, instant yeast, and salt in your stand mixer’s bowl. This step evenly distributes the yeast and salt, so you don’t get any patches of overly salty or yeasty dough later on. Trust me, this little trick saves you from uneven rising and flavor.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients and Mix

Next, toss in the warm water, honey, softened butter (or olive oil), butternut squash puree, and minced fresh rosemary. Using your dough hook on the third setting, mix everything for 3 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape the bowl sides and bottom to incorporate all the flour—that’s key for a perfect dough. Then continue mixing for another 3 to 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the dough feels soft and slightly sticky, but not a glue ball. If necessary, add extra flour just on your work surface as you knead by hand about 5 turns to bring it all together. But be careful: too much flour and your rolls can dry out.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough in a bowl lightly coated with oil, then turn it over so the entire dough surface is greased. This keeps the dough from drying out during its rise. Cover it and let it rise for about an hour, until it doubles in size. When I first made these, I set a timer and watched the dough work its magic—it’s always so satisfying!

Step 4: Shape and Rest

Punch down the dough gently to release the air, then divide it into 12 equal balls for large rolls or 15 smaller ones. Place them snugly in an oiled baking dish to create those irresistible pull-apart dinner rolls, or space them out on a baking sheet for a crustier finish. Let the shaped rolls rest another 20 minutes to puff up nicely before baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake the rolls in a 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes. If you have a kitchen thermometer handy, check for an internal temperature of 190-200°F—it’s a foolproof way to know they’re done without overbaking. The crust will be golden and the aroma from the rosemary and squash will fill your kitchen—trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds.

How to Serve Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I like to brush the tops with melted butter right as they come out of the oven, sometimes sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt or extra minced rosemary. It gives a beautiful sheen and a savory punch that complements the slightly sweet rolls perfectly.

Side Dishes

These rolls make a fantastic partner for hearty soups like butternut squash bisque (cheesy, I know!), roasted turkey or chicken dinners, or even a fresh fall salad. My family goes crazy for them alongside a Thanksgiving plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to bake the rolls in a circular pan to form a “bread wreath”—just add sprigs of rosemary and dried cranberries on top before baking for a festive look. It’s a real showstopper on the table and such a fun conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, but honestly, they barely last that long in our house! If you want to keep them fresh longer, wrapping individually in plastic wrap works wonders.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, I wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap then store them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature and warm them back up for that fresh-baked feeling.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is by wrapping the rolls in foil and warming them in a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes—this revives that soft crumb and slightly crisp crust. Microwaving works, but I prefer the oven method for texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Butternut Squash Dinner Rolls Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen, especially during cooler months. The way that natural sweetness of the squash blends with the aromatic rosemary makes these rolls unforgettable. They’re super tender, inviting, and easy enough that you’ll want to make them again and again. I hope you enjoy baking (and eating!) them as much as I do—there’s nothing like the joy of sharing warm, homemade bread with loved ones.

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