If you love garlic bread but want to take it up a notch with soft, flavorful, buttery rolls that melt in your mouth, then you are absolutely going to adore the Best Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe. These rolls are perfectly fluffy on the inside, with a golden, garlic-infused crust that’s impossible to resist. This recipe combines the comforting warmth of freshly baked bread with a rich garlic butter that sneaks into every bite, making it an instant crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving them at a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is a breeze with this recipe, and each one plays a starring role in delivering the perfect flavor and texture. From the richness of butter to the fresh zing of parsley, these elements work beautifully together to create dreams wrapped in soft bread.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a rich, creamy flavor; using quality butter elevates the rolls’ taste tremendously.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Minced finely to ensure the bold garlic flavor infuses every bite.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, giving structure and a tender crumb.
- Fresh parsley: Offers a pop of green color and a subtle earthy brightness.
- Granulated sugar: Helps activate the yeast and balances savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- Instant yeast: Quick and convenient, it gets your dough rising beautifully without fuss.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the other flavors naturally.
- Whole milk: Warmed just enough to bring richness and wake up the yeast.
- Large egg: Adds moisture and helps bind the dough for perfect softness.
- Egg wash: Creates that irresistible golden, glossy finish on your rolls.
- Herbs: Optional swaps like oregano, rosemary, or thyme can personalize your rolls.
- Cheese: Shredded parmesan or mozzarella can be folded inside or sprinkled on top for cheesy indulgence.
- Honey or maple syrup: Use in place of sugar for a natural subtle sweetness if you want to mix things up.
- Active dry yeast: If instant yeast is unavailable, activate this yeast first by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar.
How to Make Best Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter
The magic starts with melting unsalted butter slowly over medium heat and gently cooking minced garlic in it until fragrant and sizzling. This warm garlic butter becomes the heart and soul of your rolls. Letting it cool slightly ensures it mixes smoothly with the dough without cooking the eggs or yeast.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In your mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, sea salt, instant yeast, and finely chopped fresh parsley. This quick blend ensures even distribution, so each roll is bursting with taste and the dough’s texture stays just right.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour the warm whole milk, cooled garlic butter, and the large egg into your dry mix. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, start kneading on low speed. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, slightly tacky, and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. This is the sign your dough is perfectly elastic and ready for rising.
Step 4: Divide and Shape
Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal portions—using a kitchen scale is a great way to keep the rolls uniform. Shape each ball by folding the edges underneath and rolling gently under your palm until smooth and round. These little dough balls are your future delights!
Step 5: First Rise
Place the shaped rolls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between each. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours. This rise is essential to developing that superb softness.
Step 6: Apply Egg Wash and Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush each risen roll with an egg wash gently to give them that stunning golden crust when baked. Place the tray in the oven and bake for roughly 20 minutes until the rolls are puffed up and beautifully browned.
Step 7: Optional Toppings and Cooling
If you love cheese, sprinkle parmesan or mozzarella over the tops right before the final 5 minutes of baking for a melty, savory finish. Once baked, let the rolls cool slightly on a wire rack—you’ll want to savor them warm but not hot to fully enjoy that melt-in-your-mouth texture paired with garlic butter.
How to Serve Best Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or chopped chives sprinkled over warm rolls add a fresh finish and an extra hint of color that makes these irresistible. A light drizzle of melted garlic butter straight from the pan can also enhance their rich flavor before serving.
Side Dishes
These garlic bread rolls are truly versatile and pair wonderfully with hearty soups, robust pasta dishes, or crisp salads. They are a perfect companion to marinara-based Italian dishes, grilled meats, or even a layer of your favorite dipping sauces, from pesto to spicy aioli.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these rolls in a rustic basket wrapped in a clean linen cloth to keep them warm and inviting. Alternatively, slice them horizontally and fill with mozzarella and fresh basil for an elevated garlic roll sandwich. They also make fantastic party snacks when served alongside an array of cheeses and cured meats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to two days. Wrapping them in foil after they cool helps maintain their softness and prevents drying out.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooled rolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can enjoy fresh-tasting garlic bread rolls anytime by pulling out just how many you need.
Reheating
To bring frozen or stored rolls back to life, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes wrapped in foil to keep them moist. A quick brush of garlic butter after reheating adds that freshly baked magic every time.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Absolutely! Just activate active dry yeast beforehand by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and letting it sit until foamy, then proceed with the recipe as usual.
Can I substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs?
Fresh herbs are preferred for their vibrant flavor and color, but if you only have dried herbs, use about one-third the amount called for and add them with the dry ingredients.
Is it okay to add cheese inside the rolls?
Yes! Adding cheese inside or on top before baking creates delicious, gooey pockets of flavor that complement the garlic butter perfectly.
How long can I keep these rolls at room temperature?
They stay best if eaten within 2 days when stored properly. Beyond that, they may start to lose freshness, so freezing is the best option.
Can I make the dough by hand?
You can, though kneading by hand will take a bit longer—about 15-20 minutes. The texture should still turn out wonderfully soft and fluffy.
Final Thoughts
There is something so comforting and wonderfully satisfying about homemade garlic bread rolls, and the Best Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe truly captures that magic. From the first buttery, garlicky bite to the last, these rolls bring warmth and joy to any meal. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you’ll be making them again and again for family, friends, or just because you deserve something delicious and special.
Print
Best Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Garlic Bread Rolls are soft, flavorful, and buttery with a perfect golden crust. Infused with fresh garlic and parsley, these homemade rolls are ideal as a savory side or for sandwich bases. Easy to make using simple pantry ingredients, they deliver a wonderful aroma and a deliciously tender crumb that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4–5 fresh garlic cloves, minced finely
For the Dough
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 1 large egg
For Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
- Optional: shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese
- Optional: fresh herbs like oregano, rosemary, or thyme as substitutions
- Optional: honey or maple syrup as sugar substitute
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the minced garlic. Cook until the mixture sizzles and the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature to preserve the garlic flavor.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, sea salt, instant yeast, and chopped parsley until evenly distributed.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Pour the warmed milk, the cooled garlic butter, and one large egg into the dry ingredients. Using the dough hook attachment, knead the dough on low speed for about 10 minutes until the dough is soft, slightly tacky, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Divide and Shape the Dough: Using a kitchen scale, divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath and gently rolling it under your palm for a uniform shape.
- First Rise: Place the shaped rolls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased surface. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Apply Egg Wash: Once risen, brush the tops of the rolls gently with beaten egg to give them a shiny, golden crust when baked. Optionally, sprinkle shredded cheese or additional herbs on top at this stage for extra flavor.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor in the garlic butter mix.
- If using active dry yeast, activate it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5-10 minutes before adding to dry ingredients.
- Replacing sugar with honey or maple syrup adds subtle sweetness but may affect rise slightly.
- Adding cheese inside or on top of the rolls makes for a richer, indulgent version.
- Can swap parsley for fresh herbs such as oregano, rosemary, or thyme to vary flavor.
- Ensure the milk is warmed (about 100-110°F) to comfortably activate yeast without killing it.
- Do not overcook garlic in butter to avoid bitter taste.
- Allow rolls to cool before slicing to prevent crumb from becoming gummy.
