Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 2 h 8 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F); 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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If you’re looking for the ultimate warm, fluffy, and fragrant bread to accompany any meal, look no further than this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe. These golden rolls have that irresistible pillowy-soft texture, bottled up with pillowy bread aroma, and a luscious brush of garlicky herbed butter that sends them straight from your oven into a league of their own. Whether you’re planning a holiday feast or a simple weeknight dinner, these homemade rolls will make any meal feel extra special.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Great recipes start with quality ingredients, and this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe keeps it beautifully simple. Each element, from the rich whole milk to the fresh parsley, brings out the best in color, flavor, aroma, or softness—no ingredient is wasted here! Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love using each:

Warm whole milk: This creates the softest, richest dough while giving the rolls a beautiful golden color and flavor.
Active dry yeast: The magic ingredient that gives your rolls their pillowy lift and irresistible fluffiness.
Granulated sugar: Gives the yeast a little snack to jumpstart that classic home-baked aroma and a touch of sweetness.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds a decadent richness and helps keep the dough ultra-tender.
Large egg: For suppleness and structure—you’ll notice the difference in every bite.
Salt: Absolutely essential for bringing all the flavors together and keeping your dough balanced.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives your rolls their perfect shape and soft crumb.
Unsalted butter (melted): Ready for that finishing garlic butter brush that makes each roll gleam.
Garlic cloves (minced): Bringing bold, fresh, garlicky punch to the butter topping—just the way it should be.
Fresh parsley (optional): A pop of green that not only looks stunning, but brings a subtle freshness to balance the garlic butter.

How to Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

It all starts with waking up the yeast! Mix your warm milk, yeast, and sugar together in a large bowl. Within minutes, you’ll see bubbles and foam—which means your yeast is ready to do its job. This is crucial for getting that signature pillowy texture in every roll.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

Add in the softened butter, egg, and salt to your fluffy yeast mixture. Stir enough to combine everything evenly, so the fat and flavor will be incorporated throughout every bite of the rolls.

Step 3: Add the Flour

Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, stirring after each addition. You want a dough that’s soft and just slightly sticky—don’t worry, as you knead, it’ll come together beautifully. Starting slow helps keep your rolls light, rather than dense.

Step 4: Knead Until Elastic

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes. By hand or with a stand mixer, kneading builds strength and elasticity, so your Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe rises tall and bakes up feather-light. The dough should look smooth, springy, and supple.

Step 5: First Rise

Pop the dough into a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour. It will double in size, developing flavor and texture while you dream about freshly baked bread.

Step 6: Shape the Rolls

Punch down the dough gently, then divide it into 12 to 15 equal pieces. Shape them into smooth balls and nestle each one into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. This ensures even baking and those classic, pull-apart edges we all love.

Step 7: Second Rise

Cover again and allow your soon-to-be dinner rolls to rise for 30-45 minutes, until they’re puffed up and cozy in their pan. This second proof is what guarantees airy, cloudlike texture inside and a beautiful dome on top.

Step 8: Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F while the rolls finish rising. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops turn a delightful golden brown and your kitchen starts to smell like an absolute dream. This is the home stretch!

Step 9: Make the Garlic Butter and Brush

While those rolls are baking, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley in a small bowl. As soon as the rolls are out of the oven, give them a generous brush with the warm garlic butter. The sizzle and aroma will have everyone rushing to the table.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

Give your masterpiece a restaurant-worthy finish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley or even a dash of flaky sea salt for crunch. If you love cheese, a touch of grated parmesan on top never hurts—you’ll create an extra-savory crust that guests will rave about.

Side Dishes

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe truly goes with anything: perfectly at home on a holiday table next to gravy and roast, or alongside simple soups and salads for weeknight comfort. They’re especially delicious with a steaming bowl of tomato soup, creamy pastas, or as a side for a classic Sunday roast chicken.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the rolls in a bread basket lined with a linen napkin for rustic charm, or arrange them in a large decorative skillet for a family-style presentation. For parties and potlucks, place garnished rolls on a big wooden board with extra garlic butter for dipping—it’s an instant (and edible) centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, keep them fresh by storing in an airtight container or zipper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. The rolls stay soft, flavorful, and ready for a quick reheat whenever the craving strikes.

Freezing

Absolutely! Let the rolls cool completely before wrapping individually or in batches with foil and popping them into a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months—ideal for pulling out whenever you want to relive that freshly baked bread magic.

Reheating

To warm, place the rolls on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave gently for 15–20 seconds each. For an extra treat, brush with more melted garlic butter after reheating to revive all that fresh-baked aroma and taste.

FAQs

Can I substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast?

Yes, you can swap equal amounts of instant yeast for active dry yeast in this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe. Just skip the proofing step and add it directly to your dry ingredients—the rolls will still be soft and fluffy.

Is there a dairy-free option for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can use a plant-based milk (like almond or oat) and swap the butter for a good quality vegan butter. The rolls will turn out just as soft, with a slightly different flavor profile, but still delicious.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! After shaping the dough balls and placing them in your pan, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring them to room temperature and let them finish rising before baking for fresh rolls with minimal effort the next day.

What if my dough isn’t rising?

If your dough isn’t puffing up, double-check that your yeast wasn’t expired or that your milk wasn’t too hot or too cold. Yeast is sensitive, but with the right environment (warm and draft-free), it usually wakes up and works beautifully.

How do I get an extra-strong garlic flavor?

For garlic lovers who want every bite bursting with flavor, gently sauté the minced garlic in the butter before brushing it onto the warm rolls. This brings out the garlic’s sweetness and infuses each roll with bold, toasty flavor.

Final Thoughts

Baking homemade bread is always a small act of love, and this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe guarantees big rewards without much fuss. Once you taste that first soft, garlicky bite fresh from the oven, you’ll want to make these rolls a staple at every gathering. Happy baking!

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes
Yield: 12–15 rolls 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and infused with a delicious garlic butter flavor. Perfect for any meal or gathering, these homemade rolls are a real crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Rolls:

1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy. Add butter, egg, salt, and mix. Gradually add flour, knead, and let rise.
Shape and Bake: Divide dough, shape into balls, place in baking dish, let rise again. Bake until golden brown.
Garlic Butter Topping: Combine melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Brush over rolls after baking.