There’s something truly comforting about homemade Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls. The kind that come out of the oven warm, soft, and smelling like a little piece of heaven. I still remember the first time I nailed this recipe. It took a few tries, but once I found the right balance of garlic and buttery goodness, it became a staple in my kitchen. These Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls have since become my go-to for busy weeknights when I need a cozy, satisfying side without fuss.
I love how this recipe fits naturally into my cooking routine. It’s one of those dishes that feels special but comes together without any stress. Plus, it makes dinner feel like an occasion—even if it’s just a regular Tuesday. The best part? Everyone always asks for seconds. That kind of meal satisfaction is hard to beat.
If you’ve been searching for soft yeast rolls with a garlic butter kick that are both fluffy and flavorful, you’re going to love this. And if you ever feel a little intimidated by yeast dough, trust me, this easy garlic dinner rolls recipe is forgiving and friendly. By the end of this, you’ll have buttery garlic bread rolls that fill your kitchen with an aroma so good, you might want to make extra just for snacking.
I want to invite you to give these Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls a try. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone just wanting to add a little homemade magic to dinner, this recipe has your back. Let’s make something truly satisfying and joyful in your kitchen today.
What You’ll Need for This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
Here’s the lineup for making these delicious Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls. I keep the ingredients simple so good cooking always feels within reach.
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour – You can swap a cup of whole wheat flour if you want a nuttier twist.
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast – Easy to find in most grocery stores in the baking aisle.
- ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F) – Whole or 2% works great; for a dairy-free option, unsweetened almond milk is a good substitute.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar – You can lower this if you prefer less sweetness.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted plus extra for brushing – If you’re out of butter, margarine or a buttery spread can be a quick standby.
- 1 large egg – Helps create that tender crumb texture.
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced – This is where the magic happens. Feel free to use roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional) – For a fresh pop of color and flavor.
This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls recipe is budget-friendly since the ingredients are simple pantry staples. You probably have most of these things right now, which makes it a perfect last-minute option.
A quick tip: melt your butter ahead and keep it warm so it blends easily with the yeast mixture. Also, for extra flavor, I always sneak in a bit more garlic butter to brush on top right after baking. Trust me, it makes a huge difference.
How to Make This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
Let’s walk through this step by step. From start to finish, this easy garlic dinner rolls recipe takes about two hours, but most of that is hands-off rising time.
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it bubbles and foams. This shows your yeast is alive and ready. If it doesn’t foam, no worries—try again with fresh yeast and ensure your milk isn’t too hot or cold.
- Mix wet ingredients: Once yeast is bubbly, whisk in the melted butter and egg. Add the minced garlic here too, so its flavor infuses into the dough.
- Form the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Your dough should feel slightly tacky but not sticky. If it sticks too much, sprinkle just a little flour.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the rolls: Punch down the dough gently to release air. Divide into 12 equal pieces, rolling each into smooth balls. Arrange the dough balls on a greased baking pan, leaving some space to expand.
- Second rise: Cover rolls lightly and let rise for another 30 minutes. This step gives you those soft yeast rolls garlic butter lovers dream about.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 18-20 minutes until golden brown on top.
- Garlic butter finish: While rolls bake, melt extra butter and mix in fresh parsley and a pinch of garlic powder. Brush this on warm rolls as soon as they come out. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
- Cool and serve: Let them cool just slightly so they’re warm but not too hot to handle.
If your rolls feel dense, try kneading a bit longer next time. The kneading step is where patience pays off with your Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls. Still nervous? While your rolls bake, you can clean up and get the rest of your meal ready.
For extra reassurance, I found these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls recipes helpful when I started tweaking my own recipe.
Serving Your Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls truly shines when served alongside hearty mains. I love pairing them with a garlic butter lemon salmon — the buttery rolls soak up those juices beautifully. If you’re craving comfort, they make a fantastic bed for creamy mashed potatoes topped with garlic butter beef bites.
They’re perfect for family dinners, holiday meals, or just a cozy night in. For a simple presentation, serve your rolls warm in a basket lined with a napkin. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a charming touch.
Leftover rolls? No problem. I like turning them into garlic butter bread sandwiches with melted cheese or slicing and toasting them lightly with a bit more garlic butter. You could even cut them into cubes for garlic bread croutons in your salad.
For some seasonal variation, I’ve tried stirring fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme into the garlic butter before brushing. Each time, it adds a lovely twist without any extra fuss.
My family and friends always look forward to these buttery garlic bread rolls, often requesting the recipe for their own kitchens. If you enjoy these, you might love my other garlic butter recipes too, like the garlic butter salmon that’s just as flavorful and simple here.
Common Questions About This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
1. Can I make parts of this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it for the first rise. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and the second rise. This makes busy weeknights much easier.
2. What’s a good substitute for butter in this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls?
I’ve used margarine or even coconut oil in a pinch. Margarine works best if you want that buttery flavor without the dairy. Coconut oil gives a bit of a twist but still delivers softness.
3. How can I adjust this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls for more or fewer people?
Feel free to halve or double the recipe. I’ve doubled it successfully for gatherings with no change to the process.
4. My rolls turned out dense. What went wrong?
Dense rolls usually mean the dough didn’t rise enough or wasn’t kneaded sufficiently. Make sure your yeast is active and your dough gets the full rising time. Kneading develops gluten, which traps air and creates that fluffy texture.
5. Can I freeze these garlic butter dinner rolls?
Definitely! Freeze them after baking and cooling completely. Reheat gently in the oven, brushing with a little more garlic butter to revive softness.
6. Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, though fresh garlic gives a brighter flavor. I suggest using about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if fresh isn’t available.
7. How do I keep these rolls soft the next day?
Store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. A quick warm-up in the oven or microwave with a damp paper towel will bring back that fresh-baked feel.
For more tips on homemade Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls and other garlic bread roll recipes, check out the versions at Modern Honey and Vikalinka for delicious takes and ideas.
Final Thoughts on This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls recipe has a special place in my kitchen because it combines the simple joy of baking with the heartwarming satisfaction of something fresh and buttery. Every time I pull a tray of these out of the oven, I’m reminded why good food brings people together.
My Top Tips for This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls:
– Use warm milk to activate your yeast properly.
– Be patient with the rising times for the softest results.
– Always brush extra garlic butter right after baking for that irresistible shine and flavor.
Some favorite variations I love experimenting with are adding fresh herbs to the dough, stirring in a bit of shredded parmesan, or swapping butter for garlic-infused olive oil for a different punch. The garlic butter topping version is the one most requested at my family dinners, maybe because it’s simply unbeatable.
I hope you find this recipe approachable and satisfying. Make it your own by adding bits of your favorite things. There’s something truly wonderful about sharing warm, buttery rolls with those you love.
If you’ve enjoyed this, check out how these rolls pair beautifully with my beef bites and creamy mashed potatoes here. Cooking at home should feel this joyful and doable.
I’m cheering for you as you make these Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls your new family favorite. Happy baking, friend!
Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls infused with rich garlic butter, perfect as a comforting side for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for garlic butter topping)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs into the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each into a ball and place them close together in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Mix the minced garlic into the melted butter. Brush the tops of each roll generously with the garlic butter.
- Cover the rolls and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes.
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Once baked, brush again with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top before baking or serve with marinara dipping sauce.