Picture this: warm, fluffy bread rolls, glistening with a savory garlic butter that melts in your mouth with every bite. The aroma alone is enough to make your kitchen the most popular room in the house. Ready to bake up a batch of unbelievably delicious Garlic Butter Bread Rolls that will have everyone begging for more? Let’s do this!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) melted unsalted butter
For the Garlic Butter:
- ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
Let’s Talk About the Flour
Okay, let’s get something straight right away: flour. I always get questions about what kind to use. All-purpose flour is your friend here. It gives these rolls the perfect texture – not too dense, not too airy, just right. Don’t even think about using bread flour unless you want a chewier, tougher roll. Trust me on this one!
Yeast: Friend or Foe?
Yeast can be intimidating, I know. But don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems! The key is making sure your milk is warm enough to activate the yeast, but not so hot that it kills it. Think baby bottle temperature – about 110°F/43°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, just make sure it feels warm to the touch, but not scalding. And always check the expiration date on your yeast packet! Old yeast = sad, flat rolls. Nobody wants that.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get Started with the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This means the yeast is active and ready to go!
- Pour the yeast mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Making the Garlic Butter Magic
- While the dough is rising, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
Shaping and Baking the Rolls
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brush the tops of the rolls generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and let the rolls rise for another 20-30 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. If the rolls start to brown too quickly, remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Rolls
- Don’t Overknead: Overkneading can result in tough rolls. Knead just until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Warm Environment: A warm environment is crucial for the dough to rise properly. If your kitchen is cold, try placing the bowl in a slightly warmed oven (turned off!) or near a warm stovetop.
- Garlic Butter Variations: Feel free to get creative with your garlic butter! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat, or some sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor.
- Freezing for Later: These rolls freeze beautifully! Bake them as directed, let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To reheat, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then warm them in a low oven (300°F/150°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These Garlic Butter Bread Rolls are the perfect accompaniment to just about any meal! Serve them alongside a hearty bowl of soup, a fresh salad, or your favorite pasta dish. They’re also fantastic as appetizers for parties and gatherings. Or, let’s be honest, you can totally just eat them straight out of the oven. I won’t judge!
What to Do With Leftovers
If you somehow manage to have leftovers (which I highly doubt!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh even longer, store them in the refrigerator. You can reheat them in the microwave, oven, or even in a skillet with a little extra butter. Or, you know, just eat them cold. They’re still amazing!
Expand Your Bread Baking Repertoire
If you love these Garlic Butter Bread Rolls, you should definitely try some of my other favorite recipes. These Garlic Rolls are another fantastic variation, and if you’re looking for something a little different, these Buttery Garlic Rolls are a must-try. For a simpler take, these Garlic Butter Rolls are also worth checking out!
More Garlic Butter Goodness
Garlic butter isn’t just for bread, you know! It’s an amazing flavor enhancer for so many dishes. If you’re a fan of garlic butter, be sure to try these Garlic Butter Pork Chops for a quick and easy weeknight meal. And for a fun and delicious twist, check out these Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowls. You can also whip up this Garlic Butter Mushroom Chicken. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks
- Rolls aren’t rising? Make sure your yeast is fresh and your milk is warm enough, but not too hot. Also, a warm environment is key for rising.
- Rolls are too dense? Avoid overkneading the dough. Also, ensure your yeast is active and the dough has enough time to rise.
- Garlic butter is burning in the oven? Cover the baking dish with foil for the majority of the baking time, removing it only during the last few minutes to allow the rolls to brown.
So there you have it – everything you need to bake up a batch of the most incredible Garlic Butter Bread Rolls you’ve ever tasted. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to make them your own. Happy baking!
Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
The recipe recommends using all-purpose flour for the best texture. Bread flour will result in chewier, tougher rolls.
How warm should the milk be for activating the yeast?
The milk should be warm, around 110°F/43°C, similar to baby bottle temperature. It should feel warm to the touch, but not scalding.
How do I store leftover garlic butter rolls?
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage. You can reheat them in the microwave, oven, or skillet.
What can I do if my rolls aren’t rising properly?
Ensure your yeast is fresh and the milk is the correct temperature. Also, a warm environment is crucial for the dough to rise. Try placing the bowl in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) or near a warm stovetop.

Easy Garlic Butter Bread Rolls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
- In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Pour the yeast mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Brush the tops of the rolls generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and let the rolls rise for another 20-30 minutes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. If the rolls start to brown too quickly, remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
- Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.