Homemade Cheddar Cheese Rolls: Soft, Fluffy, and Filled with Melty Goodness You Can’t Resist
If you love soft bakery-style rolls, warm, golden, and filled with gooey cheddar cheese, then these Homemade Cheddar Cheese Rolls are about to become your new favorite recipe. They’re the perfect combination of fluffy dough, rich buttery flavor, and delicious melty cheddar tucked inside every bite. Whether you serve them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack fresh out of the oven, these rolls feel like something from a professional bakery—but they’re surprisingly easy to make at home. Made with simple ingredients and a straightforward method, this recipe is ideal for beginners and experienced bakers alike. And the best part? You can customize the flavor, make them ahead, freeze them, or turn them into cheesy pull-apart rolls that will impress anyone lucky enough to try them. Today, we’ll walk through everything you need to create perfect cheddar rolls—fluffy dough, savory filling, baking tips, and creative variations so you can make them exactly the way you love.
What Makes These Cheddar Rolls So Good?
These rolls are soft, airy, and buttery because they’re made with a simple yeast dough enriched with milk, egg, and butter. The inside is stuffed with freshly shredded cheddar cheese, giving every bite a warm, gooey, melty texture. No dry bread. No bland flavor. The dough stays tender, the cheese melts beautifully, and the rolls bake up golden and fragrant. They’re also incredibly versatile. Need a breakfast addition? These rolls pair beautifully with scrambled eggs or coffee. Want a comforting dinner side? Serve them with soup, pasta, or roasted chicken. Hosting guests? They work perfectly as appetizer rolls or party snacks that disappear fast.
Ingredients for Homemade Cheddar Cheese Rolls
Dough Ingredients
• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk
• ¼ cup (60ml) warm water
• ¼ cup (55g) softened butter
• 1 egg
Cheddar Filling
• 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
• ½ tsp paprika (optional)
For Brushing
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Pinch of garlic powder or parsley (optional)
How to Make Homemade Cheddar Cheese Rolls
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy on the surface. This step ensures the yeast is alive and guarantees the rolls will rise properly.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Add the egg and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Mix briefly, then add flour and salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth, stretchy, and soft. You can knead by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. A properly risen dough will result in rolls that are fluffy and light.
Step 4: Make the Cheddar Filling
In a bowl, combine shredded cheddar cheese, softened butter, garlic powder, and paprika. Mixing butter with the cheese makes the filling creamier and prevents the cheddar from becoming dry as it melts during baking.
Step 5: Shape the Rolls
Punch down the risen dough to remove excess air, then divide it into 12–15 equal pieces. Flatten each piece with your fingers, add a spoonful of cheddar filling, then gather the edges and pinch them tightly to seal. Shape each filled dough piece into a smooth ball and place them seam-side down on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover the shaped rolls with a towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes. This second rise ensures the rolls bake up soft, fluffy, and airy.
Step 7: Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15–18 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top. The aroma of freshly baked rolls blended with melted cheddar fills the kitchen—it’s irresistible.
Step 8: Brush with Butter
Once they come out of the oven, brush the warm rolls with melted butter. This extra step makes the tops shiny, soft, and even more flavorful. You can also add garlic powder, parsley, or paprika to the butter for a beautiful finish.
Tips for Perfect Cheddar Rolls
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents and does not melt as smoothly. Shredding your own cheddar gives the rolls a creamier, richer filling.
Don’t Skip the Second Rise
This step is essential for soft, bakery-style texture. Rolls baked without a second rise tend to be dense.
Seal the Rolls Well
Make sure the filling is fully enclosed so the cheese stays inside and doesn’t leak out during baking.
Don’t Over-Bake
Once the tops are golden, remove them. Over-baking makes bread dry, and you want these rolls soft and tender.
Delicious Variations
Cheddar Garlic Rolls
Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder inside the filling and brush the tops with garlic butter. Amazing with pizza, spaghetti, or soup.
Jalapeño Cheddar Rolls
Add chopped pickled jalapeños to the filling for a spicy, cheesy kick. Perfect for parties.
Mozzarella Stuffed Rolls
Swap cheddar for mozzarella for a stretchy, melty center you can pull apart like cheese bread.
Herb & Cheese Rolls
Mix oregano, thyme, or rosemary into the dough for extra aroma.
Cheddar Pull-Apart Rolls
Roll small dough balls filled with cheese and place them in a round pan. Bake and serve as a pull-apart loaf.
What to Serve with Cheddar Cheese Rolls
These rolls pair beautifully with:
• Creamy soups (potato soup, tomato soup, chicken soup)
• Stews or casseroles
• Pasta dishes
• Grilled or roasted chicken
• Breakfast omelets
• Salads
They’re also perfect as sliders—just fill with chicken, tuna, or deli meat for mini sandwiches.
Storage & Reheating
Store
Keep the rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze
Freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in the oven before serving.
Reheat
Warm the rolls in the oven for 5–6 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to bring back the original softness.
Why This Recipe Works
Cheddar cheese and soft enriched dough are a perfect combination. The milk, egg, and butter create a tender dough that rises beautifully. The cheese filling melts into a creamy center, turning every bite into a warm, comforting treat. By balancing moisture, warmth, and rise time, you always get fluffy rolls that bake evenly and taste like they came straight from a bakery.
Conclusion
Homemade Cheddar Cheese Rolls are everything you want from a bakery-style treat—soft, airy, golden, and filled with melty cheddar cheese that makes every bite unforgettable. Whether you’re serving them for breakfast, dinner, parties, or snacking straight from the tray, these rolls deliver comfort and flavor in the most delicious way. Easy to prepare, customizable, and guaranteed to impress, this recipe will quickly find a permanent place in your kitchen. Once you make them at home, you’ll never look at store-bought rolls the same way again.
