10 Frozen Dinner Rolls, Ranked From Worst To Best

The best part of a big family dinner isn't typically the conversation, though that can definitely be stimulating at times. No, in our opinion, the best part is the dinner rolls. It might seem like an afterthought compared to the bigger, show-stopping items like a whole roasted turkey or decadent sides, but ask anyone, and they will likely agree that the rolls are a vitally important component of any dinner table.

The only problem? Rolls can be kind of a pain to make. Classic Parker House rolls are yeasted bread and need to be proofed before baking. If you're spending a leisurely afternoon baking, it's not such a big deal. If, however, you are also making a ton of sides and a large roast (hello, Thanksgiving), it can be hard to manage all that plus a complicated bread recipe. Enter frozen dinner rolls, the life-saving product available at basically any grocery store. But which ones are good enough to grace your dinner table? (Or possibly to pass off as your own — we won't tell). Read on to see how a few major frozen dinner rolls rank on our list.

Bread lovers know that even mediocre bread is typically still pretty good. That's especially true with the Texas Rolls from Rhodes. Just because these ranked lowest on our list, doesn't mean they're terrible. There are still plenty of positive reviews about these rolls (though a lower average amount than almost every other roll on this list). Negative reviews remarked that the rolls are "flavorless," though others say that they "taste homemade" and likened them to their grandmother's recipe.

The only real difference between these rolls and Rhodes' other yeast rolls is the size, though that does mean that these have to be proofed before baking, which can take three hours (or longer depending on the temperature of your kitchen). The size makes them the perfect size for sandwiches, so if you were planning a little something for all those leftovers, these might be just right for you.

For whatever reason, there aren't many options for sourdough rolls in the freezer section. Maybe they don't hold up well, or maybe there is just less of a market for them. Luckily, the team at Rhodes has the answer with the Warm-N-Serve Sourdough Rolls. Like some other frozen bread roll products, these are pre-baked, so all you have to do is pop them in the oven to warm them and crisp the exterior. The bag says this should only take around eight minutes, though it also says that you can also cook these in the microwave if you just can't wait that long.

In general, these have mostly positive reactions from buyers. One reviewer remarked that these are "perfectly soft and [have a] subtle sourdough flavor." There may be some quality control issues, however, as one person's bag had a hole in it that caused all the rolls to be freezer burned. Make sure to check the structural integrity of the package before purchasing.

Most gluten-free bread products have a bad reputation. There's just something about wheat and gluten that can produce a superior mouthfeel and flavor that just can't be replicated with gluten-free substitutions (sorry to all the gluten-free folks out there). Sometimes, it's hard to tell whether a gluten-free product is great because it's just well-made even when compared to regular bread, or if it's just good for a gluten-free product. These gluten-free bread rolls by Udi's are one of the best of their kind on the market, if only because they're one of the only gluten-free bread rolls available.

The reviews are mostly positive, though some people have been unhappy with the texture, which they say can veer into brick-like territory. Others like the bread, though have commented that the interior is more like ciabatta than a classic bread roll, with large, open holes, though that's not necessarily the worst thing in the world.

Unlike some of Sister Schubert's other products, the dinner yeast rolls are pre-baked, so they are ready in just a few minutes. All you have to do is pop them out of the freezer and into the oven to have rolls on the table in a flash. Even better is that they are individual in the bag so you can cook the whole bag or just one at a time. They come in 10, 20, or 40-count bags so you can have some on hand and ready to go, even if you have uninvited guests show up.

While many people love these rolls for their taste and texture, there can be some inconsistencies with the bake, and a few reviewers have commented that some batches are harder on the exterior than others. By and large, however, people love these rolls and a few people have even "hacked" the recommended instructions and cooked them in the microwave.

There are so many types of bread out there, and some with so little variation, it can be easy to get confused. Ciabatta is characterized by its crisp exterior and soft, airy inside that features large, open holes that come from a much higher hydration level in the dough. New York Bakery makes a frozen ciabatta dinner roll that offers the perfect solution to those wanting something different than the typical roll (while not venturing too far away into breadsticks land).

These "rolls" come in two options, one with garlic and one with cheese (they are marketed as rolls, though they are more like sliced pieces of ciabatta bread). One reviewer liked these so much that they vowed to "never buy Texas toast again." These would work equally great on their own as they would as the bread for a steak sandwich. Like other rolls on this list, quality control can be an issue, and if the cellophane package gets compromised, the rolls get freezer burned, according to another reviewer.

Sister Schubert's frozen bread varieties are known for their quality and taste, and none are quite as delicious as the Parker House-style yeast dinner rolls. These rolls have a homemade look and feel with slightly irregular shape and size so you can totally pass these off as homemade. The ingredients are fairly good as well, with 0 grams of trans fat, no preservatives, and they are made with real butter.

Preparing these rolls is as easy as pulling them out of the freezer and popping them in the oven. They are baked raw, so it will take them about 20 to 30 minutes to bake, but there's no proofing required. If you want to kick them up a notch, you can brush them with melted butter before or after baking, as some reviewers have suggested. A few reviewers are a bit divided when it comes to the sugar content, but others like the subtle touch of sweetness.

Another frozen bread roll from Rhodes is these yeasted dinner rolls. Almost identical to the regular dinner rolls, the yeast dinner rolls have a distinct flavor of, you guessed it, yeast. Many people associate the flavor of yeast with better overall bread flavor, and these rolls are no different — as the reviews would suggest. The addition of rolls also means that these can be made without eggs, which makes them a great option for those that cannot consume eggs.

The only reason these rolls aren't ranked as high as their non-yeasted counterparts is that more reviewers report issues with the rolls rising, especially if at high altitudes or in colder temperatures. That could be due to how the yeast is handled during the manufacturing process or how the rolls are held during shipping and storage. Either way, yeast is a living organism and more prone to issues. If you want an easy, simple product that won't have any issues, choose a different roll.

Sometimes, simple is better. After all, who doesn't love a soft, fluffy dinner roll during a big meal like Thanksgiving? These dinner rolls from Rhodes are a huge hit with consumers, who love the "wonderful, almost like homemade, melt-in-your-mouth" taste and texture. Best of all, the Rhodes rolls contain no trans fat or preservatives.

These rolls have more of a homemade feel than some other rolls as you have to prove them first before baking. Before proofing, these rolls can be shaped into different things, like clover rolls or monkey bread. After proofing, you can choose to brush the rolls with butter or top them with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat. If all you want is to pop some frozen rolls in the oven and set a timer, these may not be the right choice for you. If, however, you want to feel like you did a little baking without too much work, pick up a pack of these tasty rolls.

Most of the rolls on this list will set you back less than $10 per bag. For a more gourmet, more upper-crusty dinner roll option, try these country dinner rolls from Chesapeake Bay. The company most famous for slinging out great Maryland crab cakes to hungry seafood lovers across the country, Chesapeake Bay has some of the best frozen rolls available anywhere in the country. The interior is the perfect texture and the flavor is nice without tasting too floury or yeasty. The braided design on the exterior lends an air of sophistication missing from many of the other rolls on this list.

The response from purchasers of these rolls is overwhelmingly positive, with an almost-perfect 5-star average. Patrons have described them as, "just like grandmother used to make," and, "very tender and tasty dinner roll. Each roll is the perfect portion — soft, fluffy, and so delicious." The only reason these don't get first-place is because of the price tag.

There are quite a few options for great frozen dinner rolls, but the best hands-down by general consensus has to be these artisan-style stone-baked rolls from Pepperidge Farm. Pepperidge Farm has a reputation for truly great baked goods and these are no exception. The bag comes with eight rolls, and just 10 minutes in the oven stand between you and fresh baked bread-y goodness.

One of the best things about these rolls is there is no proofing or thawing required; you just throw them straight into the oven from the freezer. According to one Google reviewer, the rolls come out "crispy on the outside and soft and bouncy on the inside," which is basically all you ever wanted in a roll. The exterior is crisp enough to give you that satisfying crunch when you bite in but soft enough to soak up sauces and gravies of all kinds.