Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls are soft, buttery, and packed with rich roasted garlic and mozzarella cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or a side, they’re easy to make and sure to impress at any gathering.

Ingredients

• ½ cup whole milk, lightly warmed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 envelope (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and lightly cooled
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 heads of garlic, tops cut off to expose the cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, preferably thick-cut
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for topping)
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1–2 teaspoons minced garlic (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then combine it with sugar and yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Let it sit for 7–10 minutes to activate the yeast (skip this if using instant yeast).
2. Step 2: Add melted butter, egg, egg yolk, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead with the dough hook on medium speed for 6–8 minutes until the dough is smooth. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. Shape into a ball.
3. Step 3: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1–2 hours.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove the papery layers from the garlic bulbs and place them cut side up in a foil-lined baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, tent with foil, and roast for 30–40 minutes until cloves are soft and golden. Let cool, then squeeze out the roasted garlic cloves.
5. Step 5: Pulse the roasted garlic in a food processor until smooth to make a paste. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 13×8 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, then spread the garlic paste on top. Sprinkle with parsley, salt, pepper, and finally cover evenly with mozzarella cheese.
6. Step 6: Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log, seal the seam, and trim ends if desired for uniform rolls. Cut into 9 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dental floss.
7. Step 7: Arrange the rolls in a parchment-lined 9×9 inch baking dish, cover tightly, and let rise again for 1–2 hours until puffy.
8. Step 8: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls uncovered for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
9. Step 9: While the rolls bake, mix melted butter, chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic in a bowl to make the topping.
10. Step 10: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter topping and garnish with extra grated parmesan. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure the milk is not too hot when activating yeast to avoid killing it.
• Wear disposable gloves when spreading the garlic butter to keep hands clean and avoid odor.
• Trimming the ends of the dough roll is optional but helps create uniform rolls.
• Using parchment paper in the baking dish makes cleanup easier and catches any melted cheese or butter.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese delivers the best flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
• For extra garlic punch, increase the amount of roasted garlic or minced garlic in the topping to taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked rolls wrapped tightly for up to 1 month. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until warmed through and soft.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Skip the activation step with warm milk and sugar, and add the yeast directly with the other dry ingredients.

How do I get the best roasted garlic flavor?

Roast the garlic bulbs at 400°F until the cloves are soft and golden, about 30–40 minutes. This mellow roasting process brings out a sweet, rich flavor perfect for the rolls.

Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 127 reviews

These Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with rich roasted garlic, buttery goodness, and melty mozzarella cheese, finished with a savory parmesan garlic butter topping. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these homemade rolls offer a comforting, flavorful twist on classic bread rolls.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 rolls 1x
• Category: Appetizers & Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the dough:

• ½ cup whole milk, lightly warmed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and lightly cooled
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

• 4 heads of garlic, tops cut off to expose the cloves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, preferably thick-cut

For the topping:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1–2 teaspoons minced garlic

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: Warm the milk to about 110°F, then combine it with sugar and yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Let it sit 7–10 minutes for the yeast to activate (skip if using instant yeast). Add melted butter, egg, egg yolk, flour, and salt. Knead with dough hook on medium speed for 6–8 minutes until dough is smooth. Add flour if overly sticky. Shape into a ball.
2. First rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1–2 hours.
3. Roast garlic for filling: Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel the outside papery layer from garlic bulbs, place cut side up in foil-lined baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, tent with foil, and roast for 30–40 minutes until cloves are soft and golden. Cool and then squeeze out cloves.
4. Prepare filling: Pulse roasted garlic in food processor to make a paste. Spread softened butter over rolled out dough rectangle (13×8 inches), then spread roasted garlic paste, sprinkle parsley, salt, pepper, and finally evenly cover with mozzarella cheese.
5. Roll and cut dough: Roll dough tightly from the long edge into a log, seal seam, trim ends if desired. Cut into 9 equal pieces using a sharp knife or floss.
6. Second rise: Place rolls in parchment-lined 9×9 inch baking dish, cover tightly, and let rise again for 1–2 hours until puffy.
7. Bake rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
8. Prepare topping: Combine melted butter, parsley, parmesan, and minced garlic in a bowl.
9. Finish rolls: Immediately brush baked rolls with topping mixture and garnish with extra grated parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Notes

• Ensure milk is not too hot when activating yeast to avoid killing it.
• Using disposable gloves when spreading garlic butter prevents sticky hands and makes for easier cleanup.
• Trimming loaf ends is optional but creates more uniform rolls.
• Using parchment paper in baking dish helps catch any leaking filling and makes cleanup easier.
• Freshly grated parmesan produces best flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
• For a stronger garlic flavor, adjust the amount of roasted garlic or minced garlic in the topping as desired.

Keywords: garlic butter rolls, parmesan rolls, homemade rolls, garlic rolls, cheesy garlic bread, appetizer rolls, baked garlic rolls