Name: Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 3 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup whole or 2% milk, warmed to 110°F; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 beaten egg, for brushing the tops; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; Flaky sea salt, for finishing

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 27 reviews

If you’ve ever wished for a garlic bread that’s soft, fluffy, and bursting with garlic flavor—well, you’re in luck. This Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe is exactly that: soft rolls infused with buttery garlic goodness baked to golden perfection. I’ve made these a bunch of times for get-togethers and family dinners, and trust me, they disappear fast. Ready to learn how to make restaurant-worthy garlic bread rolls right at home? Let’s dive in, and I’ll share all my tips to get it just right.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Softness: The combination of milk, butter, and eggs keeps the rolls tender and moist every time.
Deep Garlic Flavor: Garlic is infused both in the dough and the finishing butter, giving an unmistakable rich garlic aroma and taste.
Home-Baker Friendly: Step-by-step kneading and rising instructions make this recipe approachable even if you’re new to bread baking.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: These rolls shine on their own but also pair beautifully with pasta, soups, or salads, making them a party favorite.

Garlic Bread Rolls, garlic bread recipe, fluffy garlic rolls, easy garlic bread, homemade garlic bread - A close-up view of soft, round dinner rolls arranged in a 3x3 grid, each roll with a shiny golden brown top that is slightly darker in the center, showing a smooth and glossy texture. The rolls are closely packed, with slightly yellow sides touching each other. They are sprinkled with small bits of chopped green herbs and minced garlic scattered unevenly on top, adding a fresh contrast to the warm tones. The background is not visible, focusing tightly on the rolls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect roll: fluffy inside, golden outside, and loaded with garlic flavor. Here are a few things I’ve learned picking ingredients that really matter for success.

Garlic Bread Rolls, garlic bread recipe, fluffy garlic rolls, easy garlic bread, homemade garlic bread - Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a few sprigs of fresh chopped parsley on a white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of instant yeast powder, a small white ceramic bowl with fine sea salt, a small white ceramic bowl containing warmed whole milk, one large uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of minced fresh garlic, a small white ceramic bowl with flaky sea salt, all elements arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Essential to control salt levels and build that rich, buttery flavor. Melting it with garlic makes the dough fragrant right from the start.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic is key—pre-minced jarred garlic works in a pinch but fresh packs the best punch.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure but be sure to measure it correctly — too much flour and rolls get dense.
Fresh parsley: Adds brightness and color with subtle herbal notes; feel free to substitute with dried if needed but fresh really elevates it.
Instant yeast: Speeds up the rising process, but if you only have active dry yeast, remember to proof it first.
Granulated sugar: Nothing fancy, just enough to feed the yeast and balance flavors.
Milk (whole or 2%): Warms the dough and adds moisture and tenderness—don’t skip warming it to about 110°F to activate the yeast properly.
Eggs: Enrich the dough for softness, structure, and a lovely golden crust when brushed on top.
Flaky sea salt: For finishing—sprinkling this on top adds crunch and an extra hit of flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I always encourage friends to play around with this Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe. It’s so versatile, and sometimes I swap in different herbs or kick up the garlic for a more pungent bite. Making it your own is half the fun!

Garlic Intensity: If you’re a garlic lover like me, doubling that garlic in the butter or even adding roasted garlic into the dough gives a deeper flavor punch.
Herb Variations: Tried it with rosemary instead of parsley for a piney twist—worked beautifully especially alongside grilled meats.
Dairy-Free: Swap the butter and milk for plant-based alternatives—coconut or almond milk with vegan butter keeps it fluffy but slightly changes the flavor.
Cheesy Upgrade: Add a sprinkle of parmesan or mozzarella on top before baking for gooey, cheesy garlic bread rolls.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Infuse Your Butter with Garlic

Start by melting 4 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small pot over low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until you can’t resist that fragrant aroma. Don’t let the garlic brown or it’ll get bitter—just enough to release those essential oils. Set this mixture aside to cool while you prep the dry ingredients.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In your stand mixer bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, not scooped!), 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt. Mixing these first helps the yeast disperse evenly.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients and Knead

Warm 1 cup of whole or 2% milk to 110°F (warm but not hot to the touch). Add the milk, 1 large room temperature egg, and the cooled garlic butter to the dry ingredients. Using your dough hook, knead on low speed for about 10-12 minutes. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky—not sticky. If it’s too wet, add flour one tablespoon at a time. I find that kneading by machine gives the best consistency and saves my hands!

Step 4: Shape and Rise

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces (if you have a kitchen scale, aim for 67 grams each—it makes rolls evenly sized). Shape each portion into a smooth ball by gently stretching the dough under and pinching it on the bottom to seal the seam. Arrange the balls in a buttered 9×13 pan. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. This rising time really makes the rolls fluffy.

Step 5: Bake and Brush with Egg Wash

Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Just before baking, brush the tops of the rolls gently with a beaten egg—this gives them a beautiful golden color. Bake the rolls for 20-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and spring back when pressed lightly. Keep an eye on them, ovens can vary!

Step 6: Make Garlic Butter & Finish

While the rolls bake, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon minced garlic in a small pot over low heat for 1-2 minutes, then stir in 1 tablespoon fresh parsley. When the rolls come out, immediately brush generously with this garlic butter mixture and sprinkle flaky sea salt over top. Serve warm and enjoy that ooey-gooey garlic magic!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe

Accurate Flour Measurement: I can’t stress this enough—use a kitchen scale or the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense dough.
Warm Milk, Not Hot: Make sure your milk is warm but not scalding to protect the yeast; 110°F is perfect.
Don’t Overbake: Check the rolls at 20 minutes, so you get that classic golden finish without drying them out.
Garlic Butter Timing: Brush the garlic butter right after baking so it soaks in deliciously and the rolls stay soft.

How to Serve Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe

Garlic Bread Rolls, garlic bread recipe, fluffy garlic rolls, easy garlic bread, homemade garlic bread - The image shows close-up soft dinner rolls with a shiny golden-brown top layer brushed with garlic butter and small pieces of chopped green herbs, likely parsley, sprinkled generously. The inside of the roll is fluffy and white with a light and airy texture. The rolls are placed closely together on a white plate over a white marbled surface. The focus is on one roll slightly pulled apart to show its soft inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and a touch of fresh chopped parsley on top—this adds a nice pop of color. If I’m in a fancy mood, a light brush of extra virgin olive oil combined with finely chopped basil can elevate the rolls beautifully.

Side Dishes

These garlic bread rolls are the perfect sidekick to pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara or creamy Alfredo, but they’re equally amazing alongside a big bowl of soup or a fresh garden salad. I also love pairing them with hearty stews in winter—it’s pure comfort food happiness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like arranging the rolls in a circular pattern on a wooden board, with small bowls of flavored butters like sun-dried tomato or herbed cream cheese in the middle. You can even pull apart the rolls and serve them family-style for a casual, inviting vibe. Works like a charm every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These rolls are definitely best fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. I usually reheat them gently and they retain most of their softness.

Freezing

I often freeze a batch after baking. Just let them cool completely, then pop them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They keep wonderfully for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To reheat, wrap the rolls in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until soft and warm through. Alternatively, zap them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds if you’re in a hurry, but the oven method gives the best crust and texture.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast in the Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just make sure to proof active dry yeast by dissolving it in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar and waiting for it to foam (about 5 minutes) before mixing with other ingredients. This helps activate the yeast properly.
Why do my garlic bread rolls sometimes turn out dense instead of fluffy?

Density often happens when too much flour is used or the dough isn’t kneaded enough. Be sure to measure flour accurately using a scale or spoon and level method. Knead the dough until smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky for the fluffiest rolls.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! After shaping your rolls, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, bring them to room temperature and let them rise until doubled before baking. This slow proof enhances flavor and fits busy schedules.
How can I make the garlic flavor stronger?

Try increasing the garlic amount in both the dough and the finishing butter. Roasting garlic beforehand also adds a sweeter, deeper flavor if you want to mix things up.

Final Thoughts

I honestly look forward to making this Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe whenever I want to impress without too much fuss. It’s true comfort food that always feels like a warm hug fresh out of the oven. Give it a try—you’ll find these rolls are not only delicious but also addictive. Once you make them, you’ll want to keep this recipe on hand for every dinner party, holiday, or cozy night at home. Happy baking, friend!