Cheesy Dinner Rolls That Melt in Your Mouth

Today I’m sharing a simple and delicious recipe for potato cheese rolls. The dough uses Idahoan® cheesy mashed potatoes, which give these rolls a rich, savory flavor and a tender crumb. Potato doughs ferment well, so these rolls rise quickly and develop great texture and taste. Let’s get started.

GREAT RECIPE!! I am a bread making addict and made this today, in a word “fantastic” soft fluffy sweet inside savoury top a real tear and share winner. Thank you <3

Cheese Rolls, At a Glance

These rolls are straightforward to make and deliver a satisfying cheese flavor and soft, pillowy texture. Quick overview:

✅ Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
✅ Skills: Straight dough method, shaping, rising, baking
✅ Type: Dinner Rolls
✅ Number of Ingredients: 8
✅ Prep Time: 15 minutes
✅ Rise Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
✅ Cook Time: 30 minutes
✅ Yield: 18 rolls

Varying the Flavor with Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes

Using flavored instant mashed potatoes is a handy shortcut that adds both flavor and moisture. I used the Loaded Baked Potato flavor, but you can use other cheese-flavored varieties to tailor the rolls. For example, a four-cheese variety can be paired with extra cheddar and a pinch of cayenne for bold cheesy rolls. A Bacon & Cheddar Chipotle variety could be matched with pepper jack and a touch of chipotle powder.

Instant mashed potatoes are rehydrated during the dough-building step, so you don’t need to plan a separate potato prep. The potato starches also give yeast plenty to feed on, so the dough rises reliably even without added sugar.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• About 1 2/3 cups (13.5 oz) whole milk
• 1/2 stick (2 oz) unsalted butter
• about 1/2 cup (2.5 oz) Idahoan® flavored mashed potatoes (russet style; choose a cheese-containing flavor)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (freshly shredded gives best texture)
• about 4–4 1/2 cups (20 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• To finish: 3 tablespoons (1.5 oz) unsalted butter, melted

Procedure

1. Heat the milk and butter together until the butter is melted and the milk is hot but not boiling (about 1 minute in the microwave). Stir to combine.
2. Put the dry Idahoan® mashed potatoes in the mixer bowl fitted with the dough hook.
3. Add the hot milk and butter mixture, the egg, and the salt. Whisk or stir to combine—the mixture will be very soupy at this stage.
4. Add the shredded cheese, then top with all the flour. Spoon the yeast on top of the flour.
5. Mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms, then increase to medium and knead 7–8 minutes until the dough is smooth, shiny, and very extensible.
6. Shape the dough into a ball, place it back in the bowl, and lightly oil or spray the exposed surface. Cover with a lint-free towel and let rise in a warm place 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled.
7. Punch down the dough, turn it onto a clean surface, and portion into 18 equal pieces (about 2.4–2.5 oz each if your total dough weight is ~43 oz).
8. Shape each piece into a smooth ball: press into a disc, gather the edges to the center, then cup and roll on the counter to tighten the surface.
9. Arrange rolls in a greased 9″x13″ pan in 3 rows of 6. The rolls in each row will touch; columns may not—this is fine.
10. Spray lightly, cover, and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled again, about 45–60 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F after about 30 minutes.
11. Bake 25–35 minutes until lightly golden and the internal temperature reaches 195–200°F. Because there’s no added sugar, the crust won’t brown as deeply as sweeter doughs. If you prefer deeper browning, add 2 tablespoons sugar to the dough.
12. Remove from oven and immediately brush tops with melted butter. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack to cool completely or to warm before serving.

Do you have to rehydrate the potatoes before making the rolls?

You rehydrate them as part of the mixing process—combine the dry potato mix with the hot milk and butter, then add the remaining ingredients. No separate potato prep is required.

Shaping

This dough is soft and extensible but not overly sticky, making it pleasant to shape. Portion by weight for consistent rolls, then shape into smooth balls so they rise evenly and yield a uniform crumb.

A note about portioning the dough

If your total dough weighs about 43 oz, portioning into 18 rolls gives ~2.4 oz each, a good dinner roll size. Scale to around 4 oz for burger-style buns or ~1.5 oz for mini rolls.

Making them a cozy place to rise

A warm, moist environment helps the second rise. An easy trick is to boil a mug of water, place it next to the pan inside a closed microwave (or inside the oven with the light on if your oven maintains warmth) and cover the rolls while they proof.

A note about browning

Without added sugar these rolls won’t brown as deeply. If you want a darker crust, add 2 tablespoons sugar to the dough. Brushing the tops with melted butter right out of the oven gives a glossy finish and extra flavor. A sprinkle of smoked salt is optional for a savory accent.

Recommended Equipment

Stand mixer with a dough hook (4.5–6 qt is fine), a 9″x13″ pan, a scale for portioning, and a silicone basting brush for finishing are helpful. A scale improves consistency and yields identical rolls every batch.

What To Serve with Your Homemade Rolls

These rolls are delicious on their own but pair wonderfully with chili, tomato soup, or creamy pasta dishes. They make excellent pull-apart rolls for family dinners and holiday spreads.

Questions?

If you have questions about the recipe, feel free to leave a comment or email the author at [email protected]. The recipe author is happy to help troubleshoot or clarify steps.

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A Note About Measurements

The recipe is written mostly by weight for accuracy. Using a kitchen scale improves consistency and speeds cleanup.

Love These Cheese Rolls? Please Rate and Review!

If you make this recipe, a star rating or review helps others decide whether to try it and helps the author improve recipes. Thank you for sharing your feedback.

And there you have it: easy, flavorful potato cheese rolls made with instant mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Take care, y’all.