Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (2024)

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These perfectly soft potato rolls are the stuff of legends. With a convenient make-ahead option, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just your every-day meal.Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (1)

It’s been awhile since I shared a recipe with you all, but this one cannot be contained. You need these rolls in your life. They aremy family’s go-to recipe for dinner rolls. We make them every year for Thanksgiving, usually for Christmas as well, and whenever else we feel like it the rest of the year.

My parents, siblings, and I don’t often get to gather all together around a table together for holidays (we’re spread across the country from California to New Hampshire). However, we still find ways–sometimes a little unique–to celebrate together. Like last Thanksgiving, when we had a running group text of us all making our own batches of these potato rolls.

“Have you started yours?” came the message, along with a picture of silky dough sitting in a mustard yellow bowl that I recognize as having belonged to my grandmother.

I smiled over the next several hours as my phone continued to ding with pictures of potato rolls in various stages of completion. It’s how we roll. (Feel free to groan. I blame my father.)

Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (2)

Needless to say, these rolls are legendary. really. We still talk about the year that my friend Dustin ate NINE of these when our families had Thanksgiving together. They arethat good. I love them so much that when I go to other people’s houses for Thanksgiving, I offer to bring the rolls. I just can’t live without them.

Have I built up the hype enough? I hope so. Because I know these beauties will live up to whatever expectations I just created. Make them, share them, give thanks for them, and ENJOY!

Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (3)

Yield: about 40 rolls

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

These perfectly soft potato rolls are the stuff of legends. With a convenient make-ahead option, they’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just your every-day meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (ideal temp for water is 110-120 degrees, but I usually wing it)
  • 1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup lukewarm mashed potatoes (*see note)
  • 6-7 cups flour

Instructions

  1. Place warm water in a liquid measuring cup. Sprinkle yeast over the top, and stir to dissolve. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until you can see the yeast growing.
  2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and potatoes. Stir well. Add yeast mixture and mix.
  3. Add flour two cups at a time until a soft dough is formed. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. At this point, you can place the dough in the refrigerator overnight or choose to bake them the same day.

To use the refrigeration method:

  1. If refrigerating, remove the dough from the fridge about two hours before baking, and immediately shape the dough into balls the size of a small egg. Place on greased pans about an inch apart (I do 20 rolls per pan (4×5) on my large cookie sheets).
  2. Cover with a tea towel and let rise until double, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12-15 minutes, or until light golden brown on top.

To bake immediately:

  1. You can skip the refrigeration stage and just let the dough rise on the counter for an hour.
  2. Then shape the dough into balls the size of a small egg. Place on greased pans about an inch apart (I do 20 rolls per pan (4×5) on my large cookie sheets).
  3. Cover with a tea towel and let rise again for 30-60 minutes.
  4. Bake at 375 degrees for about 12-15 minutes, or until light golden brown on top.

Notes

This recipe is pretty much the ONLY time I use instant mashed potatoes. If you have leftover real mashed potatoes, those work great, too. However, I usually don't, so I just make "fake" ones from the box, and they are just as good in this recipe with much less work.

Source: My mom, who learned to make them from my grandmother (my dad’s mom)

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Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (5)

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Comments

  1. Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (6)Latasha | Arts & Budgets

    The rolls look amazing!!! 🙂 I definitely will try them out with my family.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  2. Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (8)Amy

    These would be perfect for my family Thanksgiving! Its so fun to make foods from scratch and cannot wait to try out this recipe. Thanks girl 🙂

    Reply

    • Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (9)Meg

      Agreed, Amy. I love to cook from scratch. Crazy life doesn’t always allow for homemade rolls, but there are few cooking tasks I enjoy more than kneading bread by hand. Enjoy!

      Reply

  3. Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (12)angie

    can only imagine how my son would love these he adores potato bread and this would be a delicious treat with winter soup or casseroles
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    Reply

  4. Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (13)Melissa

    I’m so glad you posted this! I loved Grandma’s rolls, but didn’t have the recipe. They are rising right now! I’m pretty excited. 🙂

    Reply

    • Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (14)Meg

      I’m so glad you found this, then! They really are so good. I have a batch rising right now, too. Hooray for early Thanksgiving. 🙂

      Reply

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Potato Rolls (AKA - The only roll recipe you'll ever need) - The Many Little Joys (2024)

FAQs

What makes a potato roll different? ›

What exactly is a “potato roll”? A potato roll is a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition that replaces a portion of wheat flour with potato flour, which gives it a soft and sweeter taste and texture than normal white rolls. Potato flour is made from potatoes that are dehydrated and milled into granules or flakes.

Why do potato rolls last so long? ›

The starch molecules in potatoes contain negatively charged phosphates that deter them from recombining, and diluting flour with potato makes it harder for the wheat starches to crystallize as well. The net effect? Potato breads stay soft much longer.

Why are potato rolls so good? ›

The potato gives the buns a sponge-like texture, making them a chef's favourite. While potato in a bun might come as a surprise, it's an age-old recipe. If you've never had a potato roll, now is the time. Get ready for the airy, lightness that makes them one of the best rolls.

What are the ingredients in Martin's potato rolls? ›

Ingredients: Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Nonfat Milk, Reconstituted Potatoes (From Potato Flour), Yeast, Sugar, Cane Sugar Syrup, Wheat Gluten, Sunflower Oil, Contains 2 Percent Or Less Of Each Of The Following: Salt, Butter, Dough Conditioners ( ...

Why are Martin's potato rolls so good? ›

The potato flour in Martin's Famous Potato Rolls and Bread gives the product a sweet taste and pillowy texture. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania is a beautiful all-American town that is home to farmland and orchards. If you are able to visit, you can take a tour of Martin's Visitor Center; The Golden Roll.

Are potato rolls healthier than white bread? ›

Potato bread can be a healthier option compared to traditional white bread. Potato bread often contains a mix of wheat flour and potato flour or mashed potatoes, which can add some nutritional benefits such as additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Are potato rolls healthier than regular rolls? ›

Either way, the potatoes boost the overall nutritional value, making it comparable to whole-wheat bread for fiber and nutrients such as zinc and iron. Potato bread has about the same calories and protein, but it provides significantly more potassium than either white or whole-wheat bread.

What is the best way to store potatoes so they last the longest? ›

Keep potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place.

A kitchen cupboard or closet, even the basem*nt or garage, can all the good choices. The 45°F to 55°F temperature range is the sweet spot for potato storage, where they can last for months.

Do potato rolls go bad? ›

Martin's potato rolls usually last about 7-10 days.

Why do restaurants wrap potatoes in foil? ›

Some say wrapping baked potatoes in aluminum foil helps them cook faster (aluminum conducts heat, then traps it), and it does keep them hot for longer once they come out of the oven, which is why we think restaurants use this method. Wrapping potatoes will also give you a softer, steamed skin, if that's what you like.

What is the best alternative to Martin's potato rolls? ›

Another east coast potato bun, Arnold's, shares many of the same features as Martin's. This product has a wonderful squish and a deliciously buttery, golden exterior. Arnold's potato buns are soft, flavorful, and will certainly do the job.

Does Shake Shack still use Martin's potato rolls? ›

Martin's is proud to be the potato bun of choice for Shake Shack® restaurants around the globe. “Did you ever think of the ratio of bun to meat? The perfect potato bun never tries to take anything away from the burger: it absorbs juices and cradles the meat. It just does its job beautifully.”

Where are Martin's potato rolls made? ›

Are Martin's® products made in the US? Yes! Martin's® is based out of Chambersburg, PA and has another plant in Valdosta, GA.

What are Subway potato buns made of? ›

The Potato Bun Sidekicks, made with Canadian-grown potatoes, are a delicious and affordable new addition to our value menu that celebrates our commitment to Canadian sourcing," said Janna MacMullin, Senior Director of Marketing.

Why are potato rolls so soft? ›

Potatoes hold more water and so help the dough retain moisture, which in turn yields the lightest, fluffiest, and best-textured rolls of your life.

What's the difference between a potato bun and a regular bun? ›

Potato Bun

Potato flakes are added to the dough along with potato flour resulting in a subtly sweet, structurally sturdy burger bun with a longer shelf life than other buns. Another added benefit is that they're dairy and egg-free, meaning your lactose-free customers will be able to enjoy your burgers too.

How is potato bread different than regular bread? ›

It is a type of bread that is made with mashed potatoes added to the dough. This bread is typically made with the same basic ingredients as other types of bread, such as flour, water, yeast, and salt, but the addition of potatoes gives it a denser texture and a slightly sweet flavor.

How is potato bread different from regular bread? ›

Potato bread is a form of bread in which potato flour or potato replaces a portion of the regular wheat flour. It is cooked in a variety of ways, including baking it on a hot griddle or pan, or in an oven. It may be leavened or unleavened, and may have a variety of other ingredients baked into it.

Why is potato bread different? ›

The makeup of potato bread is fairly simple, it turns out, but its virtues are many. According to the diligent scientists of Cook's Illustrated, the starch from the mashed potatoes allows the bread to stay soft much longer than traditional wheat bread, which starts to turn stale within a day.

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