Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a soft, fluffy bread with a twist, you’ve got to try this Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe. They’re tender, fragrant with fresh herbs, and have this wonderful subtle sweetness from the honey and a comforting earthiness courtesy of the potato. I absolutely love how these rolls come out — they’re perfect for soaking up gravy, making just-right sandwiches, or enjoying warm with a pat of butter. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you can nail them on your first try.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of a Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe lies in simple ingredients that come together beautifully. The key is the russet potato and the reserved potato water—they add moisture and softness unlike anything else.

• Russet potato: Ideal for boiling and mashing because of its starchy texture, it helps create that fluffy crumb.
• Potato water: Don’t toss it! The starchy water adds moisture and aids yeast activation.
• Active dry yeast: Engages the dough’s rise, giving the rolls that soft, airy texture.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and just a touch enhances the flavor subtly.
• Egg: Adds richness and helps with the golden color on the crust.
• Butter: Melted into the dough for softness and flavor, plus extra for brushing after baking.
• Honey: Balances the savory herbs with a light sweetness.
• Salt: Essential for flavor balance and boosting the yeast’s activity.
• Fresh herbs (thyme, sage, chives, rosemary): You want them chopped finely to evenly infuse flavor—freshness really shines.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the dough’s body; be ready to add a bit extra if your dough is too sticky.
• Flavored butter (like Garlic Scape Butter): Optional but highly recommended for brushing on warm rolls.

Variations

I love how creative you can get with this Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe! Depending on your mood or season, swapping out herbs or tweaking add-ins makes these rolls truly your own.

• Herb swaps: I’ve tried using basil and oregano for a Mediterranean vibe—super fresh! You can mix and match what’s in your garden.
• Vegan version: Simply replace the egg with a flax egg and use olive oil instead of butter; the rolls still turn out wonderfully soft.
• Cheesy boost: Grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar mixed right into the dough adds an irresistible savory punch.
• Sweet twist: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon with herbs like sage for an interesting but subtle flavor contrast.

How to Make Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Potato and Yeast

Start by peeling and dicing your russet potato, then boil it until tender—this usually takes about 15 minutes. Don’t forget to reserve about ¾ cup of that starchy cooking water; it’s gold for the dough’s softness. Mash the cooked potato so it’s smooth, aiming for about 1 cup. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, warm ¼ cup of the reserved potato water to about 105-115°F—warm but not hot—and combine it with the yeast and sugar. Let the yeast bubble and foam for 5 minutes. When it’s bubbly, you know your dough’s going to rise beautifully.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In your stand mixer bowl, put the remaining ½ cup warm potato water, mashed potato, beaten egg, melted butter, honey, chopped herbs, salt, and that yeast mixture. Add the flour last. Attach your dough hook and mix on low speed until the dough just starts to come together. You will notice the dough is soft and sticky—don’t let that alarm you! Scrape the sides down occasionally and add flour tablespoon by tablespoon as needed to prevent sticking. Once everything looks combined, crank the mixer up to medium and knead for about 5 minutes. The dough should become smooth and stretchy.

Step 3: First Rise

Transfer your dough onto a floured surface and gently knead just enough to form a smooth ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl, drizzle a little oil on top, and rub it all around to help prevent drying. Cover with cling film or a damp tea towel and set it somewhere warm to rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. I usually pop mine on top of the fridge or near the oven light.

Step 4: Shape and Second Rise

Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release air bubbles. It’s super sticky—that’s expected. Lightly dust your counter with flour and knead just a little to make it manageable. Divide into 12 equal portions and roll each into a ball using floured hands. If you have a 10-inch cast iron pan, spray it with non-stick spray and arrange the rolls close but not touching. Alternatively, a 9″x13″ baking dish works great. Cover the pan or dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Bake and Butter Them Up

Preheat your oven to 350°F while the rolls finish their second rise. Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes, giving the pan a gentle rotate halfway through for even browning. When the tops are golden and the rolls sound hollow when tapped, they’re done! If you want to take them to the next level, brush the hot rolls immediately with a flavored butter like Garlic Scape Butter—it seeps in and makes them irresistible.

How to Serve Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I like brushing mine with a hint of extra flavored butter, especially Garlic Scape or herb-infused butter. For special occasions, a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt or freshly cracked black pepper on top adds a lovely finishing touch. Sometimes, I chop a little extra fresh chive or thyme and sprinkle it over warm rolls before serving.

Side Dishes

These rolls are perfect paired with hearty soups like creamy tomato or chicken pot pie filling. They also shine next to roasts, mashed potatoes, and gravy during the holidays. I promise, your guests will be begging for seconds when these rolls are on the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a holiday brunch, I arranged the rolls in a circular cast iron pan like a flower and brushed each with a different flavored butter (lemon herb, garlic, and spicy chili). It was not only beautiful but a total conversation starter. You could even stuff them lightly with cheese or herbs before the second rise for a fun surprise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover rolls in an airtight container or resealable bag on the counter for up to 3 days. Wrapping them in a slightly damp kitchen towel helps keep the crust soft. If you want to extend freshness beyond that, freezing is your best bet.

Freezing

After the rolls have cooled completely, I wrap them tightly in cling film followed by aluminum foil, then toss them in a freezer bag. They freeze wonderfully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge or on your counter at room temp for a couple hours.

Reheating

To bring them back to life, I pop rolls in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes wrapped loosely in foil. For a slight crust, unwrap them for the last 2 minutes. Reheating this way keeps them soft, warm, and just like fresh-from-the-oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I used to struggle with getting rolls soft and flavorful enough, but discovering this Herbed Potato Rolls Recipe changed everything. It’s now a staple whenever I want something cozy, homemade, and a little bit special. I hope you’ll love making these as much as I do—they’re a warm hug straight from the oven. Give them a try, and I promise your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family will be asking you to bake them again and again.

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