INTRODUCTION
These Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls are soft, warm, and slightly sweet. They taste like the rolls you get at the steakhouse, but you can make them at home. This recipe makes 18–20 rolls that are fluffy and golden. They are perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or a weekend baking day.
Making your own rolls lets you choose a healthy version when you want one. You can cut sugar, use low-fat milk, or make a lighter option by serving small portions. If you want to pair these rolls with a lean protein, they can be part of a balanced, high protein meal. Try them with a simple chicken or turkey dish to keep meals lower calorie and good for weight loss plans. For more comfort-style skillet meals that pair well with rolls, see this Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe for an easy dinner idea.
These rolls are not only tasty, they are great for meal prep. You can bake a batch and freeze extras. Then you always have warm rolls ready for a quick meal.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Simple steps that work for home cooks.
- A lighter option is easy: control butter and sugar amounts.
- Great for meal prep — bake in advance and freeze or refrigerate.
- Can be adapted to be higher protein or low carb for special diets.
- Good for family meals, parties, or weeknight dinners.
This recipe is also flexible. You can make a healthy version by using low-fat milk, a sugar substitute, or whole wheat flour for extra fiber. That can make the rolls friendlier for blood sugar control and weight loss plans. If you want a high protein meal, serve the rolls with a lean protein and a healthy veggie side.
HOW TO MAKE Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
These rolls are made with simple pantry items and a short rise time. Follow the steps below to get soft, warm rolls with cinnamon honey butter.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Stand mixer with dough hook or large mixing bowl and wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan for warming milk and melting butter
- Large cookie sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Clean cotton towel and plastic wrap
- Pastry mat or clean floured surface
- Sharp knife or bench scraper
- Hand mixer for the honey butter
Ingredients You’ll Need :
1/2 cup water (warmed to 110 degrees), 1 Tbsp instant yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 3-3/4 to 4-1/2 cups AP flour, 3/4 cups milk (warmed slightly to take off the chill), 1/4 cup melted salted butter (cooled slightly), 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg (slightly beaten), 1 tsp salt, 3 additional Tbsp melted butter for brushing, 1 cup salted butter (room temp), 1/2 cup honey, 2 tsp cinnamon
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS :
Melt your 1/4 cup butter and set aside to cool slightly, Warm your 3/4 cup milk in the microwave for 1 minute to take any chill off of it and set aside., In your mixer bowl, combine the warm water, yeast and the 1 tsp sugar. Stir, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy., Add 3-3/4 cups of the flour, warmed milk, slightly cooled melted butter, the 1/3 cup sugar, egg, and salt., Mix with your dough hook on low speed until combined., Turn mixer to speed 2 and let knead for 5 minutes, scraping down as needed and adding up to an additional 3/4 cup flour as needed to create a ball that is tacky to the touch, but does not stick to your fingers., Once the kneading is complete, scrape the dough in to a ball, and spray around the bowl, moving the ball to make sure you get under it as well., Cover the bowl with saran wrap and a clean cotton towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1-1/2 hours until doubled in size., Punch the dough down and empty on to a lightly floured pastry mat or clean surface. Knead in to a ball., Roll dough into a rectangle about 1” thick. Use a sharp knife to cut dough into 18 to 20 squares., Place squares on a large cookie sheet pan lined with parchment paper and lightly cover with a cotton towel for another 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350F, Bake rolls for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately brush generously with the additional 3 Tbsp of melted butter., For the cinnamon honey butter, use a hand mixer to whip together the room temperature butter with the honey, and cinnamon until light, fluffy, creamy and smooth., Serve the rolls with cinnamon honey butter! You can store any remaining honey butter in the refrigerator, you will be happy you made extra!
HOW TO SERVE Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Serve warm with cinnamon honey butter for the classic treat. For a healthier serving idea:
- Spread a thin layer of the honey butter to save calories.
- Pair one roll with a cup of vegetable soup and a lean protein for a balanced meal.
- Use rolls to make mini sliders with grilled chicken breast and fresh greens for a high protein meal.
Portion control tips:
- Limit to one roll per person if you serve a main course and sides.
- For family style sides, offer small plates so people can take smaller portions.
- Use the honey butter sparingly or serve it on the side so guests control how much they add.
For another low-sugar breakfast or treat idea that pairs well with a cup of coffee, try this cottage cheese cinnamon rolls recipe which focuses on added protein and lower sugar.
STORAGE & FREEZING : Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Room temp: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep honey butter in the fridge.
- Refrigerator: Store rolls in a sealed bag for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave to refresh.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled rolls in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or warm in a low oven.
- Reheat: Wrap rolls in foil and heat at 300°F for 10–15 minutes, or microwave briefly on low power to avoid drying out.
These steps make the rolls good for meal prep. Freeze single portions for quick breakfasts or sides. For diabetic-friendly choices, keep portions small and skip extra honey butter.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Add a balanced side to make a full meal:
- Grilled or baked chicken breast for a high protein plate.
- A big green salad with tomatoes and cucumber for fiber and vitamins.
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots for color and nutrients.
- A cup of vegetable soup or lentil soup for lower calorie and fiber-rich pairing.
For a lighter option, serve rolls with a lean protein and steamed veggies. That keeps the meal lower calorie and supports weight loss goals while still giving comfort and flavor.
VARIATIONS
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Healthier version: Replace 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber. Use low-fat milk instead of whole milk and reduce the 1/3 cup sugar by half or use a natural sweetener to make a healthier version that keeps texture. This gives more fiber and slightly fewer calories, which can help if you want a lighter option.
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High-protein or low-carb version: For a high-protein meal, swap part of the flour for a protein-rich flour blend or add 1/4 cup unflavored whey protein powder to the dough (reduce other dry flour to balance). Another option is to make low-carb rolls using almond flour and a binder like xanthan gum and extra eggs; note texture will change. Both changes can make the rolls more diabetic-friendly or better for weight loss when paired with lean protein.
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Air fryer or oven-baked version: You can bake these rolls in a small convection oven or an air fryer for 10–12 minutes at 320°F in batches. Air fryer baking will make the outside a bit crisper while keeping the inside soft. For oven baking, follow the temperatures in the main recipe. Both methods let you make smaller batches, great for meal prep or when you want fresh rolls fast.
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Cinnamon honey butter swap: For a lighter option, whip Greek yogurt with honey and cinnamon for a lower-fat spread that still tastes great.
For a sweet twist or party tray, serve small rolls with a variety of spreads. If you want more cookie-style treats to serve after dinner, check this salted caramel cheesecake cookie recipe for a rich dessert idea.
FAQs
Q: Are these rolls good for weight loss?
A: They can be part of a weight loss plan if you control portions and pair them with lean protein and vegetables. Use the lighter option tips like low-fat milk and less butter to reduce calories.
Q: Can I make these rolls diabetic-friendly?
A: Yes. Use a sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit in the dough and reduce the honey in the butter, or skip the honey butter. Choose whole wheat flour for more fiber to help with blood sugar control.
Q: How long do the rolls last in the freezer?
A: Properly stored in a sealed freezer bag, they last up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm before serving.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can prepare the dough, let it rise once, then refrigerate overnight before shaping and baking. This is a great meal prep trick.
Q: Is there a gluten-free version?
A: A gluten-free version requires gluten-free flour blends and possibly xanthan gum to mimic structure. The texture will be different but it can still be tasty.
Q: How can I make these rolls higher in protein?
A: Add protein powder or swap some flour for high-protein flour blends. Serve with high protein foods like turkey or chicken to make a balanced, high protein meal.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
- Night-before: Make the dough and let it rise once. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, shape, let rise 30 minutes, then bake. This is great for busy mornings and meal prep.
- Freeze dough: Shape rolls, flash freeze on a tray, then store in a bag. Bake from frozen at a slightly lower temperature adding 5–8 minutes.
- Prep honey butter: Make the cinnamon honey butter ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Take it out 30 minutes before serving to soften.
- Portion control: Freeze single rolls in small bags so you can thaw one at a time. This cuts waste and helps with weight loss or diabetic-friendly eating plans.
This recipe is flexible, simple, and perfect for families who want a warm, soft roll with options to make them healthier, higher in protein, or ready for meal prep.
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Melt your 1/4 cup butter and set aside to cool slightly.
- Warm your 3/4 cup milk in the microwave for 1 minute to take any chill off of it and set aside.
- In your mixer bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar. Stir, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
- Add 3-3/4 cups of the flour, warmed milk, slightly cooled melted butter, the 1/3 cup sugar, egg, and salt.
- Mix with your dough hook on low speed until combined.
- Turn the mixer to speed 2 and knead for 5 minutes, scraping down as needed, and adding up to an additional 3/4 cup flour as needed to create a ball that is tacky to the touch but does not stick to your fingers.
- Once the kneading is complete, scrape the dough into a ball, and spray around the bowl, moving the ball to make sure you get under it as well.
- Cover the bowl with saran wrap and a clean cotton towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1-1/2 hours until doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down and empty onto a lightly floured pastry mat or clean surface. Knead into a ball.
- Roll dough into a rectangle about 1” thick. Use a sharp knife to cut dough into 18 to 20 squares.
- Place squares on a large cookie sheet pan lined with parchment paper and lightly cover with a cotton towel for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake rolls for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately brush generously with the additional 3 Tbsp of melted butter.
- For the cinnamon honey butter, use a hand mixer to whip together the room temperature butter with the honey and cinnamon until light, fluffy, creamy, and smooth.
- Serve the rolls warm with cinnamon honey butter.