This Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Recipe is a soft and fluffy recipe, which is made with canned pumpkin and honey. It’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, ready in about 4 hours.
Jump to RecipePumpkin Dinner Rolls Recipe Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Warm Whole Milk (105ºF)
- 1/4 cup Honey, Divided
- 2 1/4 tsp. Active Dry Yeast
- 1/4 cup Salted Butter, Melted
- 1 can (15 Oz. Size) Canned Pumpkin (Not Pumpkin Pie Filling Or Mix)
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 5 cups All-purpose Flour, Or More As Needed
How To Make Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and 1 teaspoon of honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Mix the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast mixture, remaining honey, melted butter, canned pumpkin, egg, salt, and flour. Mix on low until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment. Knead on medium-low speed for 15 minutes. The dough will be quite sticky and won’t completely pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- First rise: Scrape the dough into a large, generously greased bowl. Cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls: Gently punch down the dough and transfer it to a lightly greased work surface. Divide the dough into 15 to 24 equal pieces. Using buttered hands, shape each piece into a smooth ball.
- Second rise (proof): Place the shaped rolls into a greased 13×9-inch pan or a large cast-iron skillet. Cover with a tea towel and let them rise again for 1.5 to 2 hours, until they are puffy and fill the pan.
- Bake the rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the risen rolls for 25-30 minutes, until they are golden brown on top and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 200°F (93°C).
- Cool and serve: Let the rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool further. Serve warm with butter.

Recipe Tips
- How to know the dough is properly kneaded: The dough for these rolls is very sticky. After 15 minutes of machine kneading, it should look smooth and elastic, but it will still stick to the bowl. This high hydration is what makes the rolls soft and pillowy.
- What if I don’t have a stand mixer? You can knead this dough by hand on a well-floured surface. It will be messy, so keep your hands and the surface lightly floured. Knead for about 15-20 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- How to get evenly sized rolls: For the most uniform rolls, use a kitchen scale to weigh the dough and divide it equally. This ensures all your rolls bake at the same rate.
- Can I use instant yeast? Yes. If using instant yeast, you can skip the activation step and simply add all ingredients to the mixer bowl at once.
What To Serve With Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
These slightly sweet and savory rolls are a fantastic side for many meals. Try serving them with:
- A hearty bowl of chili or beef stew
- Your Thanksgiving turkey and gravy
- Creamy tomato soup
- Roasted chicken and vegetables
How To Store Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Room Temperature: Store the cooled rolls in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze: For longer storage, wrap the cooled rolls tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 155kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This is a high-hydration dough, which means it has a high liquid content relative to the flour. The stickiness is normal and is key to achieving a soft, fluffy texture in the final rolls. Avoid adding too much extra flour, which can make the rolls dense.
Yes. You can prepare the dough and let it do its first rise in the refrigerator overnight (for 8-12 hours). Let it sit at room temperature for an hour before shaping, then proceed with the second rise.
You can, but be aware that the moisture content of fresh puree can vary greatly. You may need to adjust the amount of flour to get the right dough consistency. Canned pumpkin provides more consistent results.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pumpkin Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Recipe
Course: Side DIshCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy24
servings20
minutes30
minutes155
kcalIncredibly soft, fluffy, and vibrant pumpkin dinner rolls sweetened with honey, making them a perfect side for any fall meal.
Ingredients
1/2 cup Warm Whole Milk (105ºF)
1/4 cup Honey, Divided
2 1/4 tsp. Active Dry Yeast
1/4 cup Salted Butter, Melted
1 can (15 Oz. Size) Canned Pumpkin
1 Large Egg
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
5 cups All-purpose Flour
Directions
- Activate yeast in warm milk with 1 tsp honey for 5 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer and knead with a dough hook for 15 minutes.
- Let dough rise in a greased bowl for 1.5-2 hours, until doubled.
- Divide dough into 15-24 pieces, shape into balls, and arrange in a greased pan.
- Let rolls rise again for 1.5-2 hours, until puffy.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
Notes
- If using instant yeast, there’s no need to activate it first; simply mix all ingredients together.
- This recipe works with less pumpkin. If you only have 1 cup, use that and increase the milk to 1 cup.
- The dough is very sticky; it’s best to use a machine for kneading. If kneading by hand, use greased or wet hands.
- You can bake 15 rolls in a 13×9-inch pan or divide the dough into smaller portions for smaller pans.