Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting smell of fresh bread right out of the oven. Well, with this Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe, you get that heavenly scent plus a soft, buttery bite that’s absolutely irresistible. I promise you, once you try this recipe, these rolls will become a family favorite and they’re surprisingly simple to make—even if you’ve never made bread from scratch before!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays its part to create these soft, buttery rolls with a garlicky punch. I usually grab the freshest butter and a good quality garlic for the best flavor. Also, make sure that the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast perfectly.

• Whole milk: Warm it up just right (110°F) to wake up the yeast without killing it.
• Active dry yeast or instant yeast: Both work—just make sure it’s fresh for best rise.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle touch of sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough; measure carefully for perfect texture.
• Large egg: Adds richness and helps with structure.
• Salt: Essential for flavor balance, but don’t overdo it.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds tenderness and flavor to the dough.
• Egg yolk and milk (egg wash): Gives your rolls that gorgeous golden shine.
• Salted butter (for garlic butter): Melts beautifully and carries the garlic flavor perfectly.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh and finely chopped for that punch of garlicky goodness.
• Fresh parsley: Adds a bright, herbal finish to the garlic butter.

Variations

I love experimenting with these rolls to match different meals or dietary needs. Once you get the basic recipe down, feel free to tweak and make it your own! Here are some variations I’ve enjoyed or think you’ll love trying.

• Cheesy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls: I sprinkle shredded cheddar or Parmesan right on top before baking—talk about a game-changer!
• Herb-infused Rolls: Adding rosemary or thyme to the dough or garlic butter gives a lovely savory twist.
• Vegan version: Substitute the butter with plant-based margarine and use a flaxseed “egg”—you’ll still get great texture and flavor.
• Spicy Garlic Rolls: Toss a pinch of red pepper flakes into the garlic butter when melting it for a subtle kick.

How to Make Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast and Mix Ingredients

Start by stirring the warm milk and yeast together in a large bowl. I’ve found it helps to let it sit for a few minutes until it’s foamy—that means your yeast is alive and kicking! Then add in the sugar, flour, egg, salt, and softened butter all at once. Stir until your dough looks shaggy and rough. Don’t worry if it looks messy—that’s totally normal at this stage.

Step 2: Knead the Dough Like a Pro

Dump the dough onto a clean surface and get ready for some kneading—this is the part where magic happens. Use the push-pull motion with your palms, kneading for about 15 minutes. At first, it’ll be sticky, but stick with it! The dough will smooth out and stretch beautifully. I discovered the “window-pane test” to know when you’re done: gently stretch a piece until it’s almost see-through without tearing. That’s your green light!

Step 3: The First Rise – Patience Pays Off

Once kneaded, transfer your dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with cling wrap, and find a warm, humid spot to let it rise. This usually takes about 90 minutes until it doubles in size. This is a great time to chill with a cup of tea or prep your garlic butter—trust me, the wait is worth it.

Step 4: Shape Your Rolls

After punching down the dough, divide it into 12 equal pieces. Rolling each into tight, smooth balls is key here. I like to hold the dough flat in one palm and gently twist it with the other—makes the rolls wrinkle-free and nice and round. Place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking sheet.

Step 5: Rise Again and Egg Wash Prep

Let the rolls rise a second time for 30-45 minutes until they’re puffy. Meanwhile, mix the egg yolk with a tablespoon of milk—that’s your egg wash, which you’ll brush generously over the rolls twice: once before and once after the second rise. This gives you that incredible golden color and shine.

Step 6: Bake and Make Garlic Butter

Pop the rolls into a preheated 350°F oven for 20-22 minutes, watching as they bake into beautiful golden globes. While they’re baking, melt the butter in a small pan. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, then stir in chopped parsley off the heat.

Step 7: Brush, Serve, and Devour

The moment the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with your garlic butter mixture. I always smile at this part because the butter melts right into those warm rolls—a total flavor explosion. Serve them warm and watch everyone go crazy over these little bites of heaven!

How to Serve Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little extra freshly chopped parsley on top after brushing the garlic butter—it brightens up the flavor and looks so inviting. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top for that extra pop of taste.

Side Dishes

These rolls pair beautifully with hearty soups like tomato basil or creamy chicken and wild rice. I also love serving them alongside roasted veggies and caramelized onions for a comforting family dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I arrange the rolls in a round baking dish or basket, garnished with rosemary sprigs and a little garlic butter drizzle. It makes the table look festive and encourages everyone to grab a warm roll and dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I like to wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a resealable bag to keep them soft and fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these rolls before successfully—just freeze them unbuttered in a sealed freezer bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and refresh by warming them in the oven before brushing with freshly made garlic butter.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the rolls in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes wrapped in foil to keep the moisture in. Then, brush with a little more garlic butter while warm, and they’ll taste almost as fresh as the day you baked them!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe brings a little homemade joy to my dinner table. When I first tried baking rolls from scratch, I was nervous—but this recipe made it approachable and fun. Now, it’s one of my go-to recipes when I want to impress friends or just treat my family to something special. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the process and the delicious results, I promise!

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