Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

If you’re craving something soft, buttery, and bursting with garlicky flavor, you’ve just found your new favorite treat. This Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, holiday feasts, or anytime you want to add a homemade touch to your bread basket. Each roll is pillowy soft on the inside with a golden, shiny crust wrapped in a luscious garlic butter glaze that will have you reaching for seconds — or thirds! Let me walk you through how simple ingredients come together to create these irresistible rolls that you’ll want to make again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe; every ingredient plays a vital role in making these rolls tender, flavorful, and irresistibly soft. From the warm milk that activates the yeast to the fresh parsley that adds a pop of color and freshness, each component is both familiar and essential.

• Whole milk: Warm milk around 110°F creates the perfect environment for yeast to bloom and ensures soft dough.
• Active dry yeast or instant yeast: This magical ingredient makes your rolls fluffy and light by helping the dough rise.
• Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness that balances the savory garlic butter beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb to the rolls.
• Large egg: Enriches the dough, adding moisture and a lovely golden color.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Makes the dough rich and tender with a delicate crumb.
• Egg yolk and milk (for egg wash): Give the rolls that irresistibly shiny, golden exterior.
• Salted butter: The base for the garlic butter that coats each roll with rich flavor.
• Garlic cloves: Finely chopped for that punch of aromatic garlic in every bite.
• Freshly chopped parsley: Brightens up the garlic butter with a fresh herbal note and pretty color.

How to Make Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Mix Ingredients

Start by stirring your warm milk with the yeast in a large bowl. This wakes the yeast up, letting it become bubbly and ready to work its magic. Then add the sugar, flour, egg, salt, and softened butter directly into the same bowl. Using just one bowl keeps things tidy and simple; stirring the ingredients until you get a shaggy dough is the fun beginning of your dough’s transformation.

Step 2: Knead Until Perfectly Smooth

Turn your shaggy dough out onto a clean surface and knead it with a push-pull motion for about 15 minutes. It might be sticky at first, but resist the temptation to add more flour. Kneading not only develops gluten for that ideal chewy yet tender texture but also helps the dough become smooth and elastic — you’ll know it’s ready when it passes the window-pane test, stretching thin without tearing.

Step 3: First Rise in a Warm Spot

Place your dough in an oiled bowl and cover it with cling wrap. Then find a warm, humid spot to let it rise undisturbed for about 90 minutes or until it doubles in size. This slow rising phase is what gives your rolls their amazing fluffiness and light texture, so patience is key here.

Step 4: Shape the Rolls

After the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight, smooth ball by twisting it between your palms — think of it like creating little dough babies that will soon become golden dinner rolls. No wrinkles or cracks, just smooth perfection.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Arrange your dough balls on a parchment-lined 9×13″ baking sheet with some space between them to grow. Whisk together the egg yolk and milk to make your egg wash, then generously brush your rolls. Pop them back into a warm spot for a second rise, letting them puff up for about 30 to 45 minutes, so they become delightfully airy before baking.

Step 6: Bake and Glaze with Garlic Butter

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your rolls one more coating of that glossy egg wash, then bake for about 20 to 22 minutes until they’re perfectly golden with a shiny crust. Meanwhile, melt salted butter in a saucepan, gently sauté chopped garlic for a minute or two, and mix in fresh parsley. Brush this fragrant garlic butter onto your hot rolls right after they come out, ensuring maximum garlicky, buttery goodness that will melt in your mouth.

How to Serve Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

For an extra pop of color and flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or finely grated Parmesan cheese over the garlic butter glaze. It’s a simple touch that adds brightness and makes these rolls look as amazing as they taste, perfect for impressing your guests without the effort.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair marvelously with soups, stews, and hearty salads. Think creamy tomato basil soup, classic beef stew, or a crisp green salad with vinaigrette — the rich garlic butter bread is the perfect foil to soak up brothy goodness or add a cozy element to your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving these rolls in mini cast iron skillets or a wooden bread basket lined with a clean linen napkin for that rustic, cozy feel. You can also slice them horizontally for homemade sliders, topping with melty cheese and your favorite sandwich fillings for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store your leftover Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and fresh, ready to enjoy whenever you want a quick snack or an easy side for another meal.

Freezing

Want to keep these rolls longer? Freeze them in a sealed bag or container for up to three months. To enjoy later, thaw overnight in the fridge and refresh in the oven with a light brush of butter to bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat rolls by placing them in a 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes, wrapped loosely in foil to keep moisture in. For a quick microwave option, wrap them in a damp paper towel and heat for about 20 seconds, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid toughness.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Absolutely! Instant yeast can be used interchangeably with active dry yeast in this recipe. It usually works even faster, so keep an eye on your dough rise times to avoid over-proofing.

What if I don’t have fresh parsley for the garlic butter?

No worries at all. You can substitute with dried parsley or even fresh chives for a different but lovely herbal note. The garlic butter will still be deliciously rich and aromatic.

Can I make this dough in a stand mixer?

Yes! Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment makes kneading much easier and faster. Mix on low speed until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.

How do I know when the rolls are done baking?

Look for a golden, shiny crust that’s firm to the touch. You can also gently tap the bottom of a roll; it should sound hollow if fully baked. Avoid opening the oven door too often to keep them from drying out.

Can I add cheese to the dough or on top of the rolls?

Definitely! Adding shredded cheese like cheddar or Parmesan on top before baking, or folding some into the dough, adds a delicious twist. Just keep in mind that cheese can brown quickly, so watch the baking time.

Final Thoughts

Making this Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is like wrapping your family and friends in a warm, comforting hug. The rewarding process of kneading, watching the dough rise, and pulling out golden rolls slathered in garlic butter is a joy worth savoring. Once you try these rolls, I’m confident they’ll become a staple on your table — so go on, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to this cozy, flavorful delight!

Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

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These Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and aromatic, perfect as a side for any meal or as a savory snack. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, the dough is enriched with butter and egg, and the rolls are finished with a flavorful garlic butter glaze and fresh parsley. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, these rolls offer a golden crust with a tender interior and a delicious garlic-butter kick.

• Author: Paula
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 dinner rolls
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup whole milk (240g), warm (around 110°F)
• 3 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar (70g)
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (490g)
• 1 large egg
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature (85g)

Egg Wash

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp milk

Garlic Butter Topping

• 1/4 cup salted butter (57g)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1–2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Activate yeast: In a large bowl, stir together the warm milk with the yeast until the yeast dissolves and begins to activate.
2. Add dough ingredients: To the same bowl, add sugar, flour, egg, salt, and softened butter.
3. Mix dough: Stir all ingredients with a large spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a clean surface and knead using a push-pull motion with your palms for 15 minutes. The dough will be sticky initially but will become smooth and elastic. Avoid adding extra flour. The dough is ready when it passes the windowpane test, stretching thin without tearing.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl, cover with cling wrap, and let it rise in a warm, humid spot until it doubles in size, about 90 minutes.
6. Shape rolls: After rising, punch down the dough, turn it on a clean surface, and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
7. Form dough balls: Roll each piece into a smooth, tight ball using your palms, ensuring no wrinkles or cracks.
8. Prepare baking sheet: Line a 9×13″ baking sheet with parchment paper and place the rolls evenly spaced on it.
9. Apply egg wash: Mix egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. Brush this egg wash generously over the rolls with a pastry brush.
10. Second rise: Let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
11. Preheat oven: About 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (conventional).
12. Final egg wash: Brush the rolls with another layer of egg wash after the second rise.
13. Bake: Bake the rolls for 20–22 minutes until they develop a shiny, golden-brown crust.
14. Make garlic butter: Meanwhile, melt the salted butter in a saucepan, add finely chopped garlic, and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in freshly chopped parsley.
15. Brush rolls: Once baked and still hot, generously brush the rolls with the prepared garlic butter.
16. Serve: Serve the rolls warm and enjoy their soft interior and flavorful garlic butter exterior.

Notes

• Use warm milk at around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Do not add extra flour while kneading; the dough will become less sticky and more elastic as you knead.
• The windowpane test ensures the dough is kneaded sufficiently for good gluten development.
• Rising times may vary depending on the warmth of your kitchen.
• If you don’t have active dry yeast, instant yeast can be used as a direct substitute.
• Ensure the egg wash is applied generously to create a shiny, golden crust.
• Garlic butter can be adjusted in garlic quantity to taste; fresh parsley adds a nice color and flavor contrast.