If you have a soft spot for warm, buttery bread that carries a punch of garlic flavor, then this Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe is going to become your new obsession. Each roll is perfectly tender inside with a golden crust, lavishly coated in a garlicky butter glaze that makes every bite melt in your mouth. These knots are ideal for sharing at any meal, bringing a cozy, homemade touch that’s far better than anything store-bought. Once you make these, you’ll never want to go back to plain dinner rolls again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe uses straightforward ingredients that work in harmony to create a rich, flavorful bread with a lovely texture. Each component plays a crucial role, from the richness of the butter to the subtle tang of Parmesan, making these rolls irresistibly tasty.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creamy richness both in the dough and the garlic butter coating, ensuring each knot is juicy and flavorful.
- Whole milk: Contributes to a tender crumb and encourages a perfect rise during proofing.
- Large eggs: Help create structure and add moisture, making the dough soft yet sturdy.
- Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast for a nice rise and adds a hint of sweetness balancing the garlic.
- Fine salt: Essential for flavor enhancement and dough development.
- Instant yeast: Works efficiently to give the dough a beautiful rise without much fuss.
- Bread flour: Provides the gluten strength necessary for sturdy yet fluffy knots.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the butter with a fragrant, robust garlicky punch.
- Fresh parsley: Brings a fresh, herbaceous brightness balancing the richness.
- Garlic powder: Helps boost the garlic flavor in the butter coating.
- Fine sea salt & flaky sea salt: Fine salt seasons the dough and garlic butter; flaky salt adds crunch and pops of saltiness on top.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds an umami-packed, slightly nutty finish that beautifully complements the garlic.
- Marinara sauce (optional): Perfect for dipping and rounding out your presentation if you want a little Italian flair.
How to Make Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by melting the butter and mixing it with the milk, allowing it to cool to lukewarm so it won’t kill your yeast. In your mixer, combine this mixture with eggs, sugar, salt, and the instant yeast. Add half the flour at first, mix, then add the remaining flour and knead the dough for about 7 to 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This kneading step is key to developing gluten, creating that perfect chewy bite in your Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe.
Step 2: First Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl covered with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise until it doubles in size, which should take about 90 minutes. This slow rise develops flavor and ensures a light, airy texture inside each knot.
Step 3: Shape Your Knots
After the dough has doubled, punch it down gently and divide it into 15 equal pieces, around 70 grams each. Roll each piece into a 9-inch rope and tie it into a knot—this fun step transforms the dough into those classic, irresistible shapes. Arrange the knots in a spray-greased 9×13 pan, cover them, and allow them to rise again for 45 to 60 minutes. This second rise makes the knots springy and full.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter Coating
While the knots rise, melt butter in a saucepan, then add minced garlic. Cook just until the garlic becomes fragrant, not browned, to avoid any bitterness. Stir in parsley, garlic powder, and salt, then remove from heat—this butter mix will be brushed on right after baking for that signature garlicky gloss.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Before baking, brush the knots with beaten egg to give them a beautiful, shiny crust. Bake them for 18 minutes or until their tops turn a perfect golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen at this stage is pure magic.
Step 6: Finish with Garlic Butter and Toppings
As soon as the rolls come out piping hot from the oven, generously brush them with the prepared garlic butter. Then sprinkle flaky sea salt and finely grated Parmesan cheese over the top for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Serve warm, optionally with marinara for dipping, and get ready to impress everyone at your table.
How to Serve Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like additional parsley or even chopped chives sprinkled on top can brighten these Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe beauties. Adding a touch of extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese right before serving also lifts their flavor to next-level delicious.
Side Dishes
These garlic knots are perfect alongside Italian classics such as spaghetti, lasagna, or a hearty minestrone soup. They also pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables, offering a lovely balance of comfort alongside freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve these knots in a bread basket lined with a cheerful napkin or arrange them on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of various dips like marinara, garlic aioli, or spicy chili oil. They even make a great companion for a cozy movie night spread or party platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover garlic knot rolls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps retain their softness without drying out, allowing you to enjoy that fresh-baked feeling for a while after baking.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked knots by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. When ready to eat, thaw them at room temperature and reheat gently for that just-made taste.
Reheating
Reheat the Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until warm throughout. You can also pop them in a microwave for about 20 seconds, but the oven method provides the best texture, keeping the crust slightly crisp and the inside soft.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
While you can substitute all-purpose flour, bread flour provides more gluten, which gives the knots a chewier, more satisfying texture. Using all-purpose may yield softer, less structured rolls but still tasty.
What if I don’t have instant yeast?
If you only have active dry yeast, simply dissolve it in the warm milk and butter mixture first and let it sit until it’s foamy before combining with other ingredients—this activates it properly for the dough to rise.
Can I make these knots without eggs?
Eggs contribute to the dough’s softness and richness, but you could try omitting them or substituting with flax eggs if needed, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different. Experimenting can still yield delicious results.
How garlicky are these rolls?
This Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe delivers a bold but balanced garlic flavor, thanks to the fresh garlic in the butter coating plus the garlic powder. They’re perfect for garlic lovers who want flavor without overwhelming the palate.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and let it rise once, then punch it down, shape the knots, and refrigerate them overnight. Allow them to come to room temperature and complete their final rise before baking.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like pulling warm, buttery garlic knots fresh from the oven and sharing them with friends or family. This Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe is simple enough for a weeknight treat yet impressive enough for a special occasion. I hope you enjoy making and eating these as much as I do—they’re truly little bites of comfort that bring everyone to the table with smiles.
Print
Garlic Knot Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
- Yield: 15 garlic knot rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Soft and flavorful Garlic Knot Rolls made from scratch with a tender bread dough tied into knots, brushed with a fragrant garlic butter, and baked to golden perfection. These irresistible rolls are perfect as a side for pasta or enjoyed on their own with a side of marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups (296 grams) whole milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 4 1/2 cups (572 grams) bread flour
Garlic Butter Coating
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Finishing
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
- Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon), for sprinkling
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Marinara sauce (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and combine with whole milk. Allow to cool to lukewarm temperature. In a mixing bowl, add this mixture along with 2 lightly beaten eggs, granulated sugar, fine salt, and instant yeast. Gradually add half of the bread flour and mix to combine, then add the remaining flour. Knead the dough for 7 to 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 90 minutes.
- Shape the Knots: Grease or spray a 9×13 inch baking pan. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 15 equal pieces, about 70 grams each. Roll each piece into a 9-inch long rope, then tie each rope into a knot. Place the knots in the prepared pan, cover, and allow them to rise again for 45 to 60 minutes until puffy.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the minced fresh parsley, garlic powder, and fine sea salt. Set aside.
- Bake the Knots: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the risen garlic knots with the beaten egg wash to give them a glossy finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Finish and Serve: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with the prepared garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle flaky sea salt and grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve the warm garlic knot rolls alone or with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the melted butter and milk mixture is lukewarm before adding yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
- You can substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley if fresh is not available, but reduce quantity to 1 tablespoon.
- If you prefer a spicier garlic butter, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture.
- These rolls freeze well. Cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container. Reheat in the oven wrapped in foil.
- Use bread flour for best texture, as all-purpose flour may result in softer, less chewy rolls.
