Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

If you’re looking for a cozy addition to your family dinners or a delightful bread option for gatherings, these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are just the ticket! Soft, fluffy, and brushed with buttery garlic goodness, they’ll quickly become a favorite at your table. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, these rolls add a touch of comfort to any meal. Trust me; once you try making them at home, you won’t want to go back to store-bought!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super easy to make: No complicated techniques here! Just simple steps that anyone can follow.
• Pillowy softness: These rolls are soft and fluffy, making them irresistible right out of the oven.
• Perfect for sharing: With 12 rolls in one batch, they’re great for family meals or potlucks.
• Flavor-packed: The garlic butter adds a burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with any dish.
• Make-ahead option: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and bake them fresh when needed!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather some simple, wholesome ingredients to create these delightful dinner rolls. You probably have many of these in your pantry already!

• 1 cup whole milk (240g), warm (around 110F)
• 3 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar (70g)
• 3 3/4 cup all purpose flour (490g)
• 1 large egg
• 1.5 teaspoon salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature (85g)
• Egg wash: 1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup salted butter (57g)
• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1-2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

Variations

This recipe is wonderfully flexible! You can easily customize it to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand.

• Add cheese: Mix in some shredded cheese into the dough for an extra cheesy flavor.
• Herb-infused: Try adding different herbs like rosemary or thyme for a unique twist on the garlic flavor.
• Sweet twist: Swap out some sugar for honey in the dough for a subtly sweet version.
• Stuffed rolls: Fill the dough with cooked spinach or cheese before rolling them into balls for a delicious surprise!

How to Make Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, stir together the warm milk with the yeast. This step is crucial as it wakes up the yeast, ensuring our rolls rise perfectly. It should start bubbling after about 5 minutes—this means it’s ready!

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add all the other ingredients for the dinner rolls into that same bowl. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix everything until it forms a shaggy dough. It might look messy at first, but trust me; it will come together beautifully!

Step 3: Knead Until Smooth

Turn out your dough onto a clean surface and knead with a push-pull motion using your palms for about 15 minutes. Don’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty! This step develops gluten and gives your rolls that desired texture. The dough will be sticky initially but will become smooth and stretchy.

Step 4: Let It Rise

Transfer your kneaded dough to a large clean bowl sprayed with oil. Cover it with cling wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise until it doubles in size—usually around 90 minutes. This is where all that magic happens!

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Once risen, punch down the dough gently and turn it out onto a clean surface. Divide it into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a tight ball, ensuring there are no cracks. This helps create those lovely fluffy rolls we all love.

Step 6: Second Rise

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your shaped rolls on it with some space in between. Brush them generously with an egg wash made from mixing an egg yolk and milk. Now let them rise again in a warm spot for about 30-45 minutes—this second rise will make them even fluffier!

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350F during this last rise. Once they’re puffy and beautiful, give them another brush of egg wash before sliding them into the oven for about 20-22 minutes until golden brown.

Step 8: Brush with Garlic Butter

To finish off these amazing rolls, melt some salted butter in a saucepan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (just about 1-2 minutes). Add freshly chopped parsley off heat before brushing this luscious mixture on hot rolls straight from the oven.

Serve & Enjoy!

Now comes the best part—dive into these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls while they’re still warm! They pair perfectly with any meal or can be enjoyed on their own as an indulgent snack. Happy baking!

Pro Tips for Making Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Making the perfect dinner rolls can seem daunting, but with a few helpful tips, you’ll be a baking pro in no time!

• Use warm milk: Ensuring your milk is warm (around 110°F) helps activate the yeast effectively, resulting in fluffier rolls.

• Don’t rush the kneading: Knead the dough for a full 15 minutes to develop gluten. This gives your rolls that wonderful pillowy texture we all love.

• Be patient with rising times: Allowing the dough to rise until it’s doubled in size is crucial for achieving that light and airy roll. A warm environment will help speed up this process.

• Brush generously with egg wash: Applying the egg wash before baking not only gives your rolls a beautiful golden crust but also enhances their flavor.

• Serve them warm: These rolls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, brushed with garlic butter. They’ll melt in your mouth!

How to Serve Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

These delightful garlic butter dinner rolls are not just delicious; they also make for an impressive presentation at any meal. Here’s how you can serve them to elevate your dining experience.

Garnishes

• Fresh parsley: Chopping some extra parsley and sprinkling it over the rolls right before serving adds a pop of color and freshness.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: For an added layer of flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top of the hot rolls. It melts beautifully into the garlic butter!

Side Dishes

• Creamy Tomato Soup: A classic pairing, the rich flavors of tomato soup complement these soft rolls perfectly for dipping.
• Roasted Vegetables: Brightly colored roasted veggies like carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers add nutrition and balance to your meal while enhancing presentation.
• Caesar Salad: The crisp lettuce and creamy dressing create a refreshing contrast to the warm, fluffy rolls—perfect for a satisfying dinner.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: For ultimate comfort food, serve these rolls alongside buttery garlic mashed potatoes. The flavors will harmonize beautifully!

With these tips and serving suggestions, your Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls will be not only easy to make but also an unforgettable addition to any meal! Enjoy every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

These Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are perfect for meal prep! You can make them ahead of time, store them, or even freeze them for later enjoyment. Whether you want to prepare for a busy week or have delicious bread ready for a special occasion, this recipe has you covered.

Storing Leftovers

• Place the cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature.
• They should stay fresh for up to 2 days.
• If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing.

Freezing

• Ensure the rolls are completely cooled before freezing.
• Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag.
• They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

• Thaw frozen rolls overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• To reheat, place rolls in a preheated oven at 350F (175C) for about 10-15 minutes until warm.
• You can also microwave them for about 10-15 seconds if you’re short on time.

FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers! Here are some common inquiries about our Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls?

Absolutely! You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Just be aware that the texture may be slightly denser, but they’ll still taste delicious!

How do I know when my Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are done baking?

The rolls are ready when they have a shiny golden crust and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. This usually takes about 20-22 minutes in the oven.

Can I make these dinner rolls without an egg?

Yes! You can replace the egg with a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) or use unsweetened applesauce as an alternative.

What if my dough doesn’t rise properly?

If your dough isn’t rising, it could be due to inactive yeast or a cold environment. Ensure that your yeast is fresh and try placing the dough in a warmer spot to encourage rising.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making these Easy Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls as much as I do! They’re not just delicious; they’re also versatile and perfect for any meal. Whether you’re serving them at a family dinner or enjoying them with soup on a cozy night in, these rolls will surely become a favorite. Happy baking, and don’t forget to share your creations!