Homemade Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe: Fluffy Joy Every Time

Warm, pillowy garlic butter dinner rolls spark memories of cozy kitchen moments shared with loved ones.

Soft dough infused with aromatic herbs promises pure comfort on any plate.

Butter melts into golden crevices, creating irresistible layers of flavor.

Simple ingredients dance together, promising a bread experience that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

Fragrant herbs complement the rich, buttery essence of these delectable rolls.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these rolls the perfect companion to almost any meal.

You will want to savor every single bite of this delightful recipe.

Soft and Buttery Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

• Craft Simple Rolls: Perfect for bakers wanting to create homemade bread without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Soft, buttery rolls that guarantee smiles around the dinner table with their irresistible aroma and warm texture.
• Versatile Side Dish: Complement any meal from casual family dinners to elegant gatherings with these deliciously adaptable rolls.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Step-by-step instructions make bread-making accessible, even for those with minimal baking experience, ensuring success with each batch.

Ingredients Required for Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

• Warm Milk: The liquid that helps activate and dissolve the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast: A key ingredient that makes the dough rise and provides a soft texture.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with fermentation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and forms the foundation of the dinner rolls.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
• Egg: Helps bind ingredients and contributes to a soft texture.

• Butter, Garlic: Creates a fragrant and flavorful coating for the warm rolls.
• Fresh Parsley, Sea Salt: Adds a fresh herb note and a final flavor boost to the rolls.

How to Bake Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Perfectly

Step 1: Awaken The Yeast

Grab your stand mixer and whisk warm milk, yeast, and sugar together. Let the mixture sit quietly for 5 minutes until it becomes wonderfully frothy and bubbly.

Step 2: Create Soft Dough

Introduce flour, salt, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Use the dough hook and knead on low speed for 10 minutes. The dough should become smooth and stretchy.

If it feels sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour and continue kneading.

Step 3: First Dough Rise

Lightly coat a large bowl with oil.

Transfer the dough inside, cover it, and let it rest in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours. Watch as it doubles in size, becoming puffy and soft.

Step 4: Shape Beautiful Rolls

Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into smooth, round balls.

Place these in a greased 9×13 baking pan, leaving some breathing room between them.

Step 5: Second Dough Rise

Cover the rolls with plastic wrap.

Allow them to rise again for 1-2 hours until they puff up and start touching each other.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Heat your oven to 350°F.

Brush the rolls with egg wash and bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 7: Prepare Garlic Butter

Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to brown the garlic.

Step 8: Final Touch

Brush the warm rolls generously with garlic butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a pinch of sea salt.

Serve immediately while warm and irresistible.

Tips to Keep Dinner Rolls Soft and Fresh

• Use milk at precisely 110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, ensuring perfect rising and fluffy texture.
• Add flour gradually if dough feels sticky, aiming for a soft, smooth consistency that doesn't stick to your hands.
• Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven to help rolls rise evenly and develop rich flavor.
• Apply egg wash gently using a soft pastry brush for a gorgeous golden sheen that makes rolls look professionally baked.
• Cook garlic briefly to release flavor without burning, creating a smooth, aromatic spread that elevates the dinner rolls.

Flavorful Variations of Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

• Herb Infusion Rolls: Replace parsley with a blend of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage for an aromatic herbal version.
• Cheese Lover's Rolls: Knead shredded cheddar or parmesan into the dough before the first rise, creating cheesy pockets of flavor.
• Whole Wheat Healthier Option: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious roll.
• Spicy Jalapeño Rolls: Mix finely chopped jalapeños into the dough for a kick of heat that complements the garlic butter.

Serving Ideas for Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

• Pair with Hearty Red Wine: Complement the rich, buttery rolls with a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that matches the garlic's intensity and cuts through the bread's richness.
• Create a Cheese Companion: Serve alongside a creamy soft cheese like brie or camembert, which adds a luxurious texture and balances the garlic butter's bold flavor profile.
• Match with Herb-Infused Olive Oil: Provide a light dipping option with extra virgin olive oil mixed with fresh rosemary and thyme to enhance the rolls' aromatic qualities.
• Suggest Crisp Green Salad: Include a light, tangy mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the rolls' heaviness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.

Proper Storage Methods for Dinner Rolls

Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and maintain softness.

Place completely cooled rolls in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 1 month. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Thaw frozen rolls at room temperature. Wrap in foil and warm in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Brush with extra garlic butter for renewed moisture.

Wrap individual rolls in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 15-20 seconds, checking to avoid overheating. Drizzle with fresh garlic butter before serving to restore softness.

FAQs

• Why do I need to activate the yeast first?

Activating yeast helps ensure it’s alive and ready to make your dough rise. Warm milk and sugar create the perfect environment for yeast to become frothy and start working.

• How do I know the dough is kneaded properly?

The dough should become smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky after 10 minutes of kneading. It should spring back when gently pressed and feel soft and pliable.

• What if my dough isn't rising?

Ensure your kitchen is warm (around 75-80°F) and draft-free. Yeast needs warmth to activate. If your kitchen is cool, try placing the dough in a slightly warmed oven or near a warm appliance.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade garlic butter dinner rolls deliver warm, pillowy comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Golden brown edges and rich butter-infused centers promise delightful comfort with each heavenly bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for dough)
• 1 large egg (for dough)

Leavening and Sweetening Agents:

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Garlic Butter Topping:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• Sea salt (to taste)

Egg Wash:

• 1 large egg (beaten)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a stand mixer bowl by combining warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes until a foamy texture develops.
2. Incorporate flour, salt, melted butter, and egg into the yeast mixture. Blend until a rough dough forms. Use the dough hook to knead on low speed for 10 minutes, creating a smooth and elastic consistency. Adjust with additional flour if the dough remains sticky.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and place in a warm environment for 1-1.5 hours, allowing the dough to double in volume.
4. Deflate the dough and divide into 12 uniform portions. Carefully shape each piece into smooth, round balls. Arrange the rolls in a greased 9×13 baking pan, ensuring slight separation between them.
5. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let them rise for an additional 1-2 hours until they become puffy and begin to touch each other.
6. Heat the oven to 350°F. Apply an egg wash to the rolls’ surface before baking for 20-25 minutes, achieving a golden-brown exterior.
7. Create garlic butter by gently melting butter in a saucepan. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until aromatic, being careful not to brown the garlic.
8. Generously brush the warm rolls with the prepared garlic butter. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of sea salt. Serve immediately while still warm.

Notes

• Activate yeast carefully by ensuring milk is warm (not hot) to prevent killing the yeast, which can make rolls dense and flat.
• Use bread flour for higher protein content, creating chewier and more structured dinner rolls with better rise and texture.
• Proofing environment matters – place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like inside an unheated oven with a pan of hot water to encourage consistent rising.
• Brush rolls with egg wash right before baking for a gorgeous golden-brown shine and professional bakery-style appearance.

• Prep Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg