Easy Mayonnaise Rolls

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My Easy Mayonnaise Rolls are wonderfully soft, tender, and flavorful, with a simple 4-ingredient batter that comes together in minutes. They’re the perfect last-minute addition to your bread basket.

• Just 4 simple ingredients: You only need milk, mayonnaise, self-rising flour, and salt to make these delicious rolls. The mayo adds fat and moisture without you needing to use eggs and oil.
• Homemade rolls with big flavor and no fuss! Skip kneading, rising, and proofing. Simply mix the batter, add it to the muffin tin, and bake!
• Soft, tender texture: These mayo rolls have a soft, biscuit-like crumb that soaks up butter or gravy.
• Versatile side: This nostalgic shortcut recipe makes golden rolls that are perfect alongside holiday meals or soups and stews or any supper.
• Ready in about 20 minutes! When you want homemade bread in a hurry, these quick rolls are just what you need!

As a professional chef, I can guarantee—no matter how tempting your holiday turkey or roast is, it’s warm homemade rolls and butter that will really get your guests excited! When you need a speedy alternative to traditional yeast rolls, my Easy Mayonnaise Rolls will be your go-to. With no yeast, kneading, or rising, these soft, golden rolls are ready in a flash.

My most important tip for this recipe is don’t skip the milk wash step. Brushing the rolls with milk gives them a smooth, finished surface and helps with browning. If you don’t egg wash the rolls bake up uneven and hard on top. For more fast roll recipes, see my Buttery Crescent Rolls From Scratch, 1-Hour Dinner Rolls, and Sally Lunn Buns.

Table of Contents

• What are Easy Mayonnaise Rolls?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Substitutes
• How to Make Easy Mayonnaise Rolls
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Flavor Variations and Topping Ideas
• FAQs
• More Easy Roll Recipes

What are Easy Mayonnaise Rolls?

Easy Mayonnaise Rolls are quick, tender, biscuit-like rolls made with just four simple ingredients: milk, mayonnaise, self-rising flour, and salt. Unlike traditional yeast rolls, this nostalgic Southern recipe, passed down through generations, requires no kneading, proofing, or rising time. The simple batter comes together in minutes and bakes into soft rolls with a delicate crumb, a lightly golden top, and a rich, buttery flavor. They’re a delicious last-minute addition to Thanksgiving or any dinner, especially when served warm with butter.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Glass measuring jug
• 12-cup muffin tin
• Whisk
• Pastry brush

Key Ingredients and Substitutes

Whole milk

• Whole milk adds moisture and richness.
• Additionally, whole milk adds rich flavor and contributes to browning.
• Please use whole milk here for the best results.
• Substitute: Use the same amount of plain, unsweetened oat or almond milk in the batter and to brush on the tops.

Mayonnaise

• Mayonnaise, which contains egg yolks and oil, provides richness and moisture, which gives the rolls a soft, biscuit-like texture.
• Additionally, the mayonnaise adds a rich flavor with a subtle tang.
• Use my recipe, How to Make Mayonnaise (4 Ways), or use store-bought.
• Substitute: You can use the same amount of vegan mayonnaise.

Self-rising flour

• Self-raising flour (also known as self-rising flour) is a pre-mixed blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sometimes a pinch of salt.
• This is a common, convenient baking product that is popular in Ireland and other parts of the world.
• You can make your own self-rising flour by mixing 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) all purpose flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
• Substitute: For a gluten-free option, use the same amount of a gluten-free self-rising flour.

Salt

• Salt brings out all of the flavors.
• Don’t skip the salt, or your rolls could taste bland.

How to Make Easy Mayonnaise Rolls

1. Prepare to bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously butter 9 cups of a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Whisk the milk and mayo. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and mayonnaise until smooth.

3. Mix in flour. Stir in the flour until just incorporated, leaving a few small lumps.

4. Add batter to muffin tin. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups.

5. Brush with milk. Brush the tops of the muffins with a little milk and smooth out the surface.

To Bake the Mayonnaise Rolls

6. Bake rolls. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Broil if desired. For a golden top, broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

8. Cool rolls. Let the rolls cool in the pan for 5 minutes.

To Serve and Store the Mayonnaise Rolls

9. Enjoy! Serve hot with butter.

FULL (PRINTABLE) RECIPE BELOW! 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• A muffin pan is a must. This recipe makes a soft, loose batter that won’t hold its shape on a baking sheet. Baking the rolls in buttered muffin cups ensures they bake up neatly and keep their signature rounded shape.
• Use only 9 cups of a 12-cup muffin tin. This recipe makes 9 rolls, so you only need to use 9 muffin cups.
• Use full-fat mayonnaise. This will give you the best flavor and texture. Low-fat mayonnaise can make the rolls dense.
• You can use store-bought or my recipe for homemade mayonnaise. Either will work in this recipe.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Mix just until combined for the most tender rolls.
• Fill muffin cups about two-thirds full. This will allow room for rising.
• You can brush the rolls with melted butter right after baking. This optional step adds richness and a soft crust.
• If you don’t have self-raising flour, make your own with my recipe.
• Brush the mayo rolls with milk before baking. It helps smooth and soften the tops of the rolls for a nice texture.
• Broil the rolls for a nice finishing touch. It isn’t necessary, but broiling them for 1 or 2 minutes creates golden tops.
  • If you do use the broiler, check the rolls about every 30 seconds—they can go quickly from browned to burnt.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-ahead tips

• You can make the rolls one day ahead and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
• For longer storage, cool baked rolls completely, place in a freezer-safe bag or container, and freeze for up to eight weeks.
  • Thaw at room temperature, and reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven, loosely covered, until warmed through.

How to store leftovers

• These rolls are best enjoyed the day they’re made, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day.
• For more extended storage, place leftover rolls in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to eight weeks.
  • Thaw at room temperature, then reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven or air fryer, loosely covered, until warmed through, about 4 minutes.

Flavor Variations and Topping Ideas

• Add 1/2 cup (1½ oz/43 g) of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese and one teaspoon of garlic powder to the batter for a savory twist.
• Fold 1 tablespoon of finely-chopped herbs like fresh rosemary or chives into the batter.
• Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy note.
• Add a sprinkle of poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
• Serve the mayonnaise dinner rolls with Orange Honey Compound Butter or Maple Pecan Compound Butter.

FAQs

Why are these rolls baked in a muffin pan?

• A muffin pan is essential for baking these rolls because the batter is too loose to hold its shape on its own.
• The muffin pan holds the batter and gives the rolls their traditional rounded shape.

Can I make these mayonnaise dinner rolls gluten-free?

• Yes, you can make these rolls gluten-free. Simply use a gluten-free self-rising flour.

Is it possible to make this mayo roll recipe vegan?

• Yes, you can make mayo rolls vegan by using the same amount of plain unsweetened plant-based milk, like oat or almond milk, instead of dairy milk in the batter and for brushing on the top.
  • Instead of regular mayonnaise, use the same amount of vegan mayonnaise.

Can I make Easy Mayonnaise Rolls ahead of time?

• Yes! You can bake the rolls a day ahead, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes, loosely covered, until warmed through.
• For longer storage, freeze the rolls. Cool the rolls completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag and freeze for up to eight weeks.
  • Thaw before reheating in a 300°F (150°C) oven until warmed through.

More Roll Recipes

• Cheesy Rolls Recipe
• Sweet Hawaiian Rolls
• Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls
• Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

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