Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 220ml / 1 cup warm milk, whole or skimmed; 1½ tsp sugar; 7g / 1 tbsp active dry yeast; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 large egg; ½ tsp salt; 400g / 3 cups bread flour (or all purpose flour); 1 egg (for brushing); 1 tbsp butter, melted; 1 clove garlic, pressed; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like warm, soft dinner rolls fresh from the oven, especially when they’re slathered in rich, garlicky butter. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe with you. These rolls are irresistibly fluffy and loaded with that comforting garlic butter flavor that my whole family goes crazy for. Whether you’re new to baking bread or a seasoned pro looking for a new favorite, I promise this recipe will become a staple. Ready to make your kitchen smell incredible? Let’s dive in!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft and Fluffy Rolls: The dough comes out perfectly soft each time, making these rolls utterly tender and light.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything you need in your pantry already—no fancy stuff required.
Garlicky Butter Finish: Brushing the rolls with melted garlic butter right out of the oven gives them that warm, irresistible flavor punch.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday feast or a weeknight dinner, these rolls pair perfectly and impress every time.

The image shows a white oval dish filled with 15 golden brown rolls arranged in a close cluster. Each roll has a smooth, shiny surface that looks soft and fluffy with a slight crisp on top. The rolls are topped with chopped green herbs spread evenly, adding fresh color contrast. There is a light glaze that makes the rolls appear moist, and small bits of coarse salt can be seen scattered on the surface. The dish is set on a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy dinner rolls with garlic butter, homemade garlic bread rolls, soft bread rolls recipe, easy garlic dinner rolls

Ingredients You’ll Need

For these garlic butter dinner rolls, we’re using straightforward ingredients that work together to create a soft, yeasty dough and that delicious garlic butter glaze. Using warm milk wakes up the yeast for a good rise, and fresh parsley really brightens the flavors.

Flat lay of a mound of fine white bread flour, a small white bowl of warm milk, a small white bowl with a mix of golden vegetable oil, a whole large brown egg with a smooth uncracked shell, a small white bowl of golden melted butter, a whole garlic clove with papery white skin, a few vibrant green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small white bowl containing sparkling granulated sugar, a small white bowl with fine white salt crystals, and a small white bowl holding active dry yeast granules, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy dinner rolls with garlic butter, homemade garlic bread rolls, soft bread rolls recipe, easy garlic dinner rolls

Warm milk: Make sure it’s warm, not hot, so it activates the yeast without killing it.
Sugar: A little sweetness helps the yeast bloom and adds subtle flavor to the rolls.
Active dry yeast: The magic behind the fluffiness—fresh yeast rises best.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the dough tender and moist.
Egg: Adds richness and gives the dough structure.
Salt: Essential for balancing flavors—don’t skip it!
Bread flour: Preferred for chewy texture, but all-purpose flour works great too.
Butter: Melted for brushing, it’s the base for our garlic butter topping.
Garlic clove: Fresh and pressed for that punchy garlic flavor.
Fresh parsley: Chopped finely to add a fresh, herbaceous note to the butter glaze.
Extra egg for brushing: Gives the rolls a shiny, golden crust.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One thing I love about this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Sometimes I tweak the herbs or add something special to the dough, and it always turns out great. You should definitely experiment with what you love!

Herb Mix: I once swapped fresh parsley for rosemary and thyme—my family adored the herbal twist!
Cheese Stuffed Rolls: Adding a little shredded mozzarella inside each roll before baking makes for cheesy, gooey goodness.
Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier spin, I use half bread flour, half whole wheat flour; it adds a nice nutty flavor without compromising softness.
Garlic Spice Level: If you love garlic, try adding a pinch of garlic powder into the dough for an extra boost.

How to Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Bloom the Yeast and Mix the Wet Ingredients

Start by combining warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit for around 5 minutes until you see bubbles or foam—the yeast is “blooming,” which means it’s alive and ready to work its magic. Then add vegetable oil, salt, and one egg. Give everything a good stir with a fork to combine. This mix of wet ingredients will help form the dough’s base and flavor.

Step 2: Add Flour and Knead the Dough

Pour the wet mixture into the flour and mix until it looks like rough dough. Now comes my favorite part—kneading! You can do this on a floured surface by hand for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, even better—knead on low speed for 1 minute, then medium for 4 more. The finished dough should feel soft but not sticky when you touch it with clean hands.

Step 3: First Rise

Rub your mixing bowl with a bit of vegetable oil, place the dough back inside, and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and a towel. Set it somewhere warm and cozy—this is where patience pays off! In about 1 to 1.5 hours, the dough should triple in size. Keep an eye on it, since room temperature can change the timing. I learned to trust the dough’s size more than the clock.

Step 4: Shape the Rolls and Second Rise

Dump your risen dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 16 equal parts. I sometimes weigh them to get it exact, but eyeballing works fine too—don’t stress! Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them into a buttered 9×13 inch baking pan with about an inch between each. Cover the pan with a tea towel and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes. This second rise helps achieve that perfect pillowy texture.

Step 5: Brush with Egg and Bake

Before baking, gently brush the tops of your rolls with a beaten egg. This step gives the rolls a beautiful golden sheen that’ll make your family’s eyes light up. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, until they’re golden brown and smell heavenly.

Step 6: Make Garlic Butter and Finish

While the rolls bake, melt butter and mix in freshly pressed garlic and finely chopped parsley. Once the rolls are out of the oven, brush them immediately with this garlicky butter mixture. This step is the secret to infusing your rolls with deep, buttery garlic flavor and adding a gorgeous glossy finish to each.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Warm Milk Temperature: I use my wrist to test the milk—not too hot or cold, right around body temperature for best yeast activation.
Trust the Dough’s Rise: Instead of strict timing, I watch for the dough to triple in volume; it’s a surefire way to know it’s ready.
Don’t Over-Bake: While golden is good, baking too long dries out these tender rolls, so set a timer and check in early.
Brush the Butter Immediately: Applying garlic butter right out of the oven lets it soak in while the rolls are hot—game changer!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a bit of extra fresh parsley on top after brushing with garlic butter. It adds a lovely pop of color and freshness. If I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of grated parmesan can elevate these rolls to restaurant-worthy. The herbs really complement the garlic butter perfectly.

Side Dishes

These rolls are a dream alongside hearty soups like tomato basil or creamy chicken soup. They also shine at holiday meals next to roasted turkey or glazed ham. I’ve even served them with simple butter and jam for breakfast—versatile is an understatement!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes arrange the rolls in a circular shape on a round baking tray, making a pull-apart bread wreath that’s both pretty and functional. You can also place whole garlic cloves or herb sprigs between rolls before the second rise for added aroma and visual appeal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover rolls in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature—they stay soft for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, the freezer method works best.

Freezing

I let the rolls cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. This way they don’t stick together. They freeze beautifully and maintain their texture and flavor for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, brush the rolls lightly with butter or water, then warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes. This helps restore their soft crust and warm, garlicky flavor, almost like fresh-baked!

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Absolutely! If you use instant yeast, mix it directly with the flour instead of activating it with milk. You might need to adjust rising times slightly since instant yeast tends to work faster.
Is bread flour necessary for these rolls?

Bread flour helps create a chewier, structured roll because of its higher protein content, but all-purpose flour works just fine if that’s what you have. The rolls might be a bit lighter and slightly less chewy, but still delicious.
Why do my rolls sometimes turn out dense?

Dense rolls are often due to under-proofing—the dough hasn’t risen enough before baking—or over-kneading which can tighten the dough too much. Make sure to let the dough triple in volume and knead just until elastic and smooth.
Can I make these rolls dairy-free?

Yes! Use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk and substitute regular butter with vegan butter or oil for the garlic butter mixture. The rolls will still be tasty and soft.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe has become such a comforting classic for me—I remember the first time I shared these with friends and everyone kept asking for the recipe! They’re not complicated, but the results are incredibly satisfying. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll want to bake them again and again for every meal. I can’t wait for you to experience that warm, garlicky bliss straight from your own oven. Happy baking, friend!