These soft and tender Pull-Apart Potato Rolls are my all-time favorite rolls recipe for serving during fall dinners and holidays. soft and tendered Pull Apart Potato rolls

3 potato rolls on a plate with mashed potatoes in the background.

When I’m hosting big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, I like to plan my menu and test recipes well in advance (check out my Thanksgiving Planner, it’s an excellent tool for staying organized in the kitchen).

I find this helps the day go smoothly, and let’s face it, more enjoyable. Also, I don’t have to worry about whether a recipe will turn out well or not.

For me, a holiday dinner isn’t complete without dinner rolls! These Pull-Apart Potato Rolls are in one word: AH-MAZING!

You can tell just by looking at them that they’re soft, moist, and, most of all, tender. This is all because of the mashed potatoes that are in there!

Test out this Potato Roll Recipe for Thanksgiving and then plan on using it year-round. You will love it!Pull Apart Potato Rolls ingredients

Pull-Apart Potato Rolls Recipe Questions Answered: 

What are potato rolls made of?

Potato rolls are made with potato flakes. The flakes replace some of the flour, which helps make these rolls super soft and fluffy.

Are potato rolls healthy?

The potatoes added into potato rolls positively impact the nutritional value of the bread. The increase in nutritional values is comparable to whole-wheat bread in terms of fiber and nutrients like zinc and iron.

The number of calories and protein is about the same, but potato rolls do have more potassium. Overall, potato rolls are a healthier choice in comparison to other bread.  
Ready to mix Pull Apart Potato Rolls

Why are Potato Rolls so tender?

It’s because of the potatoes, of course! The starch found in the mashed potatoes helps to weaken the structure of gluten-forming proteins found in the flour. As a result, this makes for a softer, more tender crumb. Close up picture of potato roll on a white plate.

How to Make Potato Rolls:

  1. First, make the mashed potatoes by mixing the Idaho Spuds and boiling water. Mix until mashed potatoes are combined and thick. 
  2. Next, make the dough by adding all ingredients to a stand mixer. Turn the mixer to low and mix until combined. Then increase speed to medium and mix the dough until smooth and soft.  
  3. Then place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled. 
  4. Next, make the rolls by punching down the dough. Then divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and gently roll and smooth dough into rolls. Place rolls on a cookie sheet and loosely cover with two layers of lightly greased plastic wrap. Let rise again for about 80 minutes, until doubled. 
  5. Finally, bake rolls at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes and brush with melted butter after pulling them out of the oven. 

Potato rolls on a baking sheet. potato rolls on a white plate.

Cook’s Note – Pull-Apart Potato Rolls:

  • This dough is SUPER sticky! When working with it, make sure your hands are floured and try not to add extra flour to it when kneading by hand.
  • These potato rolls are rather large. I plan for 1 per dinner guest, and it works out perfectly. Though, if you like to send guests home with leftovers, I suggest making 2 per person because Thanksgiving leftovers just aren’t the same without rolls!
  • These potato rolls are perfect for making little Thanksgiving leftover sliders. Just slice them in half and load them up with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a little gravy.
  • Leftover rolls (I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard of such a thing 😉 ) can be stored in a zip-top storage bag at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Potato Rolls ready for the oven

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. 

Cook’s Tools:

  • mixing bowls
  • stand mixer
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack
  • pastry brush

MORE THANKSGIVING SIDE DISH RECIPES:

These soft and tender Pull Apart Potato Rolls are my all-time favorite rolls recipe for serving during fall dinners and holidays.
4.91 from 21 votes

Pull Apart Potato Rolls

Author Jillian - a Food, Folks and Fun original
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
24 potato rolls
These soft and tender Pull-Apart Potato Rolls are my all-time favorite rolls recipe for serving during fall dinners and holidays.

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • stand mixer
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack
  • pastry brush

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3.74 oz package Mashed Potatoes
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon instant or dry active yeast
  • 1 cup warm water about 90-95 degrees F
  • 6 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

MAKE MASHED POTATOES:

  • In a medium bowl mix together Idaho Spuds and boiling water. Mix until mashed potatoes are combined and thick (you should have about 2 cups of mashed potatoes).

MAKE DOUGH:

  • In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook, add all ingredients. Turn mixer to low and mix until combined. Increase speed to medium and mix dough until smooth and soft, about 5-6 minutes. ALTERNATIVE: If mixing by hand, mix in large bowl until dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, flour your hands, and knead until smooth and soft, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Place dough in extra-large greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 60-80 minutes.

MAKE ROLLS:

  • Lightly grease standard-sized cookie sheet. Punch down dough to deflate. Lightly flour your hands, and divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Gently roll and smooth dough into rolls. Arrange rolls on the prepared cookie sheet (6 rows by 4 rows). Loosely cover rolls with 2 sheets of lightly greased plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature until close to double in size, about 80-90 minutes.

BAKE ROLLS:

  • About 60 minutes into rolls rising time, adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake until rolls are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. As soon as rolls come out of oven brush with melted butter. Let rolls cool about 10 minutes before pulling apart. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1.7mg

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These soft and tender Pull-Apart Potato Rolls are my all-time favorite rolls recipe for serving during fall dinners and holidays.

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45 Comments

  1. Love these so much! Reminds me of my childhood!

  2. Potato rolls are definitely one of the best dinner rolls. So tender and soft. Whenever I make mash potato, I set aside a small portion to bake some bread. 🙂

  3. My family goes crazy over these! Always gone so fast!

  4. Andrea Metlika says:

    I’m in awe at how easy these are to make. I can’t wait to make these.

  5. These sound wonderful. Will these come out okay if I double the recipe?

    1. Yes, you may need to make two separate batches in the mixer though, because I think it won’t all fit in the mixing bowl! You’ll also need to bake them on two separate baking sheets.

  6. These look delicious! What size is a standard-sized cookie sheet?

    1. Hi Tara, they usually measure 18″ x 13″ with about a 1-inch rim around the outside.