Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk (240g), warm (around 110F); 3 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast; ⅓ cup sugar (70g); 3 ¾ cup all purpose flour (490g); 1 large egg; 1.5 teaspoon salt; 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature (85g); 1 egg yolk; 1 tablespoon milk; ¼ cup salted butter (57g); 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1-2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 4 reviews

If you’ve ever dreamed of having soft, fluffy rolls straight from your oven that practically melt in your mouth, then you’re going to love this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe. It’s one of my absolute favorites to make for holidays, family dinners, or even cozy weeknight meals because these rolls have a perfect balance of rich butter, warm garlic flavor, and that pillowy texture that keeps you coming back for more. Stick with me through this – I’ll share all my tips so you can bake these beauties to perfection without any fuss.

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Why This Recipe Works

Fluffy Yet Buttery Rolls: The soft dough combines milk, butter, and egg to create that tender texture you crave in dinner rolls.
Garlic Butter Kick: Sautéed fresh garlic in butter with parsley brushed on warm rolls adds bright, irresistible flavor right out of the oven.
Kneading for Perfect Texture: The long kneading time develops gluten to give just the right chew without toughness.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using basic pantry staples and layering in techniques ensures foolproof, delicious results every time.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy dinner rolls, homemade dinner rolls, soft garlic rolls, buttery garlic bread rolls - A group of 12 soft, golden brown dinner rolls arranged in a 4 by 3 grid on a wooden board. Each roll has a shiny top coated with a light layer of melted butter and is sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs, likely parsley, giving a fresh green contrast to the warm golden color. The rolls touch each other closely, showing their soft texture and round shapes. Small bits of herbs are also scattered on the wooden board around the rolls, adding a rustic touch. The wooden board sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe uses classic ingredients that work together to create that heavenly soft crumb and savory finish we all want. I always recommend using fresh yeast and good quality butter – it really makes a difference you can taste.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy dinner rolls, homemade dinner rolls, soft garlic rolls, buttery garlic bread rolls - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of salted butter, three fresh garlic cloves beside finely chopped garlic in a small heap, a few sprigs of freshly chopped parsley scattered naturally, a small white ceramic bowl containing a mixture of egg yolk and milk, and a small white ceramic bowl with active dry yeast, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed 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

Whole milk: Warm milk makes the yeast happy and tenderizes the dough for softness.
Active dry or instant yeast: This is the magic that makes the rolls rise fluffy and light.
Sugar: Just enough to feed the yeast and add a touch of sweetness.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure while still keeping the rolls soft.
Egg: Adds richness and helps create that beautiful golden crust.
Salt: Balances flavor and strengthens the dough for structure.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter enriches the dough and makes the rolls tender.
Egg wash (egg yolk + milk): Gives the rolls that shiny, golden finish.
Salted butter (for garlic butter): Using salted butter here adds seasoning for the garlic spread.
Fresh garlic: Sautéed to mellow the sharpness and infuse rich flavor.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the garlic butter with a fresh herbal note.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how flexible this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is. You can easily swap or add flavors to match your mood or occasion without losing that cozy, comforting feel. Don’t be shy to make it your own!

Herb Variations: I’ve swapped parsley for rosemary or thyme before, and it pairs beautifully, especially with roasted dinners.
Cheesy Twist: Folding in shredded cheddar or Parmesan before the first rise makes the rolls even more decadent – trust me, your family will ask for this version nonstop.
Garlic Allergy Swap: Herb butter with a mix of parsley, chives, and a pinch of smoked paprika still gives a tasty alternative for those avoiding garlic.
Vegan Adjustments: You can replace the milk with a plant-based alternative and swap butter for vegan margarine, although the texture shifts a bit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Activate your yeast and mix the dough

Always start by warming your milk to about 110°F (warm to the touch but not hot) – this is the sweet spot to wake up your yeast. Mix in the yeast and sugar, then give it a few minutes until it bubbles and foams. It signals that the yeast is alive and hungry! Then, add your flour, egg, salt, and soft butter directly into the same bowl and give it a good stir. You want a shaggy dough that looks a bit rough but will come together when kneaded.

Step 2: Knead for that perfect dough texture

This part demands a bit of your time but trust me, it’s worth it: knead for about 15 minutes using a push-pull motion with your palms. The dough starts sticky—don’t add more flour!—but will slowly transform into a smooth, elastic ball. A trick to know it’s ready is the windowpane test: stretch a dough piece gently to see if it forms a thin translucent layer without ripping. This means gluten’s developed just right.

Step 3: First rise and shaping your rolls

Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover tightly, and find a warm, humid spot—my oven with just the light on works great—to let it double in size. Usually around 90 minutes does the trick. Once puffed up, punch it down gently, then divide the dough into 12 equal balls. I love rolling each piece into a smooth tight ball by cupping my palms—this keeps the surface wrinkle-free and helps the rolls expand evenly while baking.

Step 4: Second rise and egg wash prep

Arrange those beautiful little balls on a parchment-lined 9×13” pan, leaving just enough space for them to grow without sticking too much. Brush each with a mixture of egg yolk and milk – this egg wash contributes to that gorgeous shiny crust. Then, back into your warm spot for a second rise about 30-45 minutes until they look puffy and luscious.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection & brush with garlic butter

Preheat your oven to 350°F during the final rise. After that, give the rolls one last brush of egg wash before sliding them in. Bake for 20-22 minutes until they’re beautifully browned on top. While the magic is happening in the oven, melt salted butter on low heat and sauté your finely chopped garlic for a minute or two so it softens without burning, then stir in fresh parsley. As soon as the rolls come out piping hot, brush them generously with this garlic butter – this step is the secret to my favorite Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe ever.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Don’t Rush the Kneading: Time and patience here build the gluten structure crucial for soft yet structured rolls.
Use Room Temperature Butter: Soft butter incorporates more easily into your dough, resulting in tender crumbs rather than dense bread.
Check Your Yeast Activity: If your yeast doesn’t foam in milk, start fresh—this saves disappointment later.
Brush Garlic Butter Immediately: The rolls soak up the flavor better when warm, so don’t wait for them to cool down.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy dinner rolls, homemade dinner rolls, soft garlic rolls, buttery garlic bread rolls - The image shows soft, golden-brown dinner rolls with a shiny, slightly crisp top sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. Each roll is small and round, with a smooth, shiny crust that catches the light. A woman's hand is holding one roll split open to reveal its fluffy, light, and airy inner texture, which is pale cream in color. The rolls sit close together on a wooden board, against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I tend to keep garnishes simple with these rolls—sometimes just a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley on top adds a fresh pop of color and brightness, which I really love. For special occasions, a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the garlic butter right after brushing can create a lovely contrast against the soft, rich bread.

Side Dishes

These rolls are amazingly versatile. I often serve them alongside hearty soups like tomato bisque, creamy mashed potatoes, or slow-cooked beef stew. They soak up sauces beautifully and make everything feel like a true home-cooked feast.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite tricks for holiday dinners is placing the rolls in a cast iron skillet for baking, so they pull apart easily and look rustic and inviting. For gatherings, I sometimes stack them in a basket lined with a linen towel layered with fresh herbs for that bakery vibe. It’s a simple touch that always wows guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), I always store them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to two days. That keeps the rolls soft and fresh. Avoid refrigerating—they tend to dry out fast that way.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully either plain or brushed with the garlic butter. I wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. When I’m ready to use them, I thaw at room temperature, then warm gently in the oven to revive their softness and flavor.

Reheating

For leftovers, I pop the rolls in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5-8 minutes, sometimes covering them with foil to avoid over-browning. As they warm, I lightly brush on some fresh garlic butter again so they taste freshly baked and delicious.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast in this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe?

Yes! Instant yeast works perfectly here and you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients without proofing in warm milk first. Just be sure your milk isn’t too hot to avoid killing the yeast, and you may see a slightly quicker rise.
How can I tell when the garlic butter is done and ready to brush on the rolls?

Sauté the finely chopped garlic in melted butter on low heat until it becomes fragrant and slightly softened, about 1-2 minutes. Keep the heat low to avoid burning, which would give a bitter taste. Once you smell that garlicky aroma, it’s ready to go!
What’s the windowpane test mentioned in this recipe?

The windowpane test is a way to check if your dough has been kneaded enough. Take a small piece and stretch it gently between your fingers; if it stretches thin enough to see light through without tearing, your gluten is well-developed and your dough is ready.
Can I make these rolls without kneading by hand?

Absolutely! You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. This method saves time and effort but watch closely—you might need slightly less flour or time.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my recipe collection because it’s both comforting and impressive without being complicated. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something warm and buttery with your meal, these rolls deliver every time. I hope you’ll have as much fun making and eating them as I do—there’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh garlic and butter melting into soft hot rolls right out of the oven. Give this recipe a try, and I promise it’ll become a new favorite in your kitchen too!