Prepare to fall in love with the most incredible Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls you’ve ever baked. These rolls are pillowy soft, unbelievably fluffy, and drenched in a rich, savory garlic butter that makes them simply irresistible. Forget the store-bought kind; this easy-to-follow recipe will make your kitchen smell like a gourmet bakery and have everyone reaching for a second (and third) helping.
Whether you’re serving them alongside a hearty pasta dish, a holiday feast, or just enjoying them on their own, these homemade dinner rolls are a game-changer. They are the perfect combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps, proving that you don’t need to be a professional baker to create perfection.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls
Unbeatably Soft & Fluffy: We use a specific technique to create a tender, airy crumb that melts in your mouth.
Rich Buttery Flavor: The star of the show is the garlic butter topping, made with fresh garlic, parsley, and quality butter, brushed on before and after baking for maximum flavor.
Surprisingly Simple: Don’t let the yeast intimidate you! This recipe breaks it down into easy, manageable steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Find more inspiration with our collection of easy baking recipes.
Perfect for Any Occasion: From weeknight dinners to special holiday gatherings, these rolls are always a crowd-pleaser.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Dinner Rolls
The magic of these rolls comes from simple, high-quality ingredients working in harmony. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
Yeast: Active dry yeast is the leavening agent that makes the rolls rise and gives them their classic fluffy texture.
Whole Milk: The fat in whole milk adds richness and softness to the dough. Heating it first helps to create a more tender crumb.
All-Purpose Flour: While some recipes call for bread flour, all-purpose flour provides the perfect balance of structure and tenderness for these soft rolls.
Granulated Sugar: Just a little sugar feeds the yeast, helping it activate, and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory garlic butter.
Egg: An egg enriches the dough, adding flavor, color, and a soft texture.
Unsalted Butter: We use butter in the dough for softness and, of course, in the glorious topping for that signature garlic butter flavor.
Garlic & Parsley: Fresh is best! Freshly minced garlic and finely chopped parsley create a vibrant, aromatic topping that dried versions can’t replicate.
Fresh out of the oven and ready to devour.
How to Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to create the best homemade dinner rolls right in your own kitchen. This process is broken down to ensure you get a perfect batch every time.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
First, gently warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C)—warm to the touch, but not hot. Stir in the sugar and then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant. This “blooming” process proves your yeast is alive and ready to work.
Step 2: Make and Knead the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and the beaten egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until it’s smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook and mix on medium-low speed for 6-8 minutes.
Step 3: First Rise (The Secret to a Fluffy Crumb)
Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size. This crucial step develops flavor and the airy texture we want.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, pinching the seams at the bottom. Arrange the dough balls in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. They should be close but not touching—they’ll rise into each other for that classic pull-apart effect.
Step 5: Second Rise
Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for another 30-45 minutes, until they are puffy and have filled the pan. While they rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the garlic butter topping. Brush half of the mixture over the tops of the risen rolls. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a roll registers 190°F (88°C).
Step 7: The Glorious Garlic Butter Finish
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the remaining garlic butter mixture over the hot rolls. This final layer of flavor soaks in and makes them truly divine. Let them cool for a few minutes in the pan before serving warm.
Look at that perfectly soft and fluffy crumb!
Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Dinner Rolls
Check Your Yeast: Always ensure your yeast is fresh and properly activated. If it doesn’t get foamy in the first step, your yeast may be expired, and your rolls won’t rise.
Don’t Over-Flour: The dough should be soft and slightly tacky. Adding too much flour during kneading will result in dense, heavy rolls. Be patient and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Temperature Matters: Use lukewarm milk to activate the yeast and a room-temperature egg. If your liquids are too hot, they can kill the yeast.
Find a Warm Spot: Dough rises best in a warm environment. A turned-off oven with the light on is a great spot for a draft-free rise.
Recipe Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a showstopper, feel free to customize it!
Cheesy Garlic Butter Rolls: Add 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese to the garlic butter topping for a deliciously cheesy twist.
Herb-Infused Rolls: Mix in other fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme along with the parsley for a more complex flavor profile.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a little bit of heat. For more spicy inspiration, try these Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels.
Storing and Make-Ahead Instructions
Storing Baked Rolls
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes until soft and warm.
Freezing Rolls
You can freeze the baked rolls for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as directed above.
Making the Dough Ahead of Time
You can prepare the dough through the first rise, then punch it down, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let the cold dough sit on the counter for 30 minutes, then shape, let it rise for the second time (this may take a little longer), and bake as directed.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Rolls
These rolls are the perfect companion to almost any meal. They are fantastic for soaking up the sauce from a creamy chicken pasta bake or served alongside hearty dishes like ground beef and potato casserole. They also make an excellent side for holiday dinners or a simple soup and salad lunch.
The most common reasons for dense dinner rolls are using too much flour, not kneading the dough long enough, or using expired yeast. Ensure your dough is soft and slightly tacky, knead until it’s smooth and elastic, and always check that your yeast is active and foamy before using.
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and let it go through its first rise, then cover it and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping, rising for a second time, and baking as directed.
Store cooled dinner rolls in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To restore their softness, you can warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
This recipe calls for active dry yeast, which needs to be dissolved in warm liquid to activate. You can use instant yeast instead; simply mix it in directly with your dry ingredients without activating it first. Your rise times may be slightly shorter.
The rolls are done when they are a deep golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped. For perfect results, use an instant-read thermometer—the internal temperature should be 190°F (88°C).
Enjoy a Batch of Homemade Goodness!
Baking a batch of these Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls is more than just making food; it’s about creating warm memories and delicious moments. We hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you make them, please leave a comment below or share a photo of your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
Nothing beats the aroma and taste of freshly baked homemade dinner rolls!
Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
FL Recipes
Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls (The Easiest, Fluffiest Recipe!)
Our foolproof Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls recipe creates the most unbelievably soft, fluffy, and flavorful homemade rolls. Drenched in a savory garlic herb butter, these pull-apart rolls are perfect for any dinner or special occasion.
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. (Or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 6-8 minutes).
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Gently punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients for the garlic butter topping. Brush half of the topping over the risen rolls. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush the remaining garlic butter over the hot rolls. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcalProtein: 5gFat: 11gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Don't overheat your milk! A temperature between 105-115°F (40-46°C) is the sweet spot for activating yeast without harming it. Tip 2: For extra rich rolls, you can brush them with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp of water) before applying the first layer of garlic butter. Tip 3: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They are best when fresh!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
