Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 45 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 on the hunt for soft, fluffy, and absolutely irresistible rolls that will melt in your mouth, then this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how these rolls come out with a perfect golden crust, a tender crumb inside, and that amazing garlic butter glaze that makes your kitchen smell like a dream. Whether you’re serving them up for a family dinner or a holiday feast, these dinner rolls will have everyone asking for seconds—and I promise, they’re surprisingly easy to make!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredibly Soft Texture: Thanks to the warm milk and proper kneading, these rolls stay tender and fluffy every time.
Garlic Butter Goodness: The melted butter infused with fresh garlic and parsley adds a savory flavor that’s seriously addictive.
Perfect for Any Occasion: These rolls are as great for everyday dinners as they are for festive celebrations or potlucks.
Beginner-Friendly: Even if you’ve never made dough before, I’ll guide you through every step so you’ll feel like a pro.

A white oval dish holds fifteen golden brown bread rolls arranged tightly in three layers: the bottom layer covered by the two upper layers, the middle layer with five rolls, and the top layer with five rolls, all with shiny, smooth, and slightly cracked tops showing a soft texture. To the top right of the dish, there is a small white bowl with a green herb sauce that looks fresh and slightly chunky. The dish rests on a light beige cloth with red stripes on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft fluffy dinner rolls, garlic bread dinner rolls, easy homemade dinner rolls, buttery garlic dinner rolls

Ingredients You’ll Need

Choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference with these rolls. I always recommend using fresh yeast and good quality butter to get that rich flavor. Also, warm milk helps the yeast bloom beautifully, giving your rolls their perfect rise.

Flat lay of a small mound of white bread flour, a single large brown egg with an uncracked shell, a small white ceramic bowl of warm milk, a few granules of sugar scattered near the bowl, a pinch of salt crystals, a fresh whole garlic clove, a few sprigs of bright green chopped fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, and a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, 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 awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft fluffy dinner rolls, garlic bread dinner rolls, easy homemade dinner rolls, buttery garlic dinner rolls

Warm milk: Using whole or skimmed is fine, but make sure it’s warm—not hot—to help the yeast activate properly.
Sugar: Just a touch to feed the yeast and help with browning.
Active dry yeast: The magic behind the rise—always check the expiration date for best results.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the rolls soft and tender.
Egg: Adds richness and helps with structure in the dough, plus for brushing to get that golden crust.
Salt: Essential for flavor balance—don’t skip this one!
Bread flour (or all-purpose flour): Bread flour yields a chewier texture, but AP flour works well if that’s all you have.
Butter: Melted and mixed with fresh garlic and parsley, it’s pure magic for the finishing glaze.
Garlic clove: Freshly pressed or finely minced gives the best aromatic punch.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note to the garlic butter.

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

I love making this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe my own by mixing in little twists depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to customize it to your liking and watch how versatile these rolls become!

Herb Twist: I sometimes swap parsley for rosemary or thyme to give a woodsy, fragrant flavor that pairs beautifully with garlic.
Cheesy Rolls: Adding shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the dough or sprinkled on top before baking makes for an irresistible cheesy variation.
Whole Wheat Version: Replace part of the bread flour with whole wheat flour to add a nuttier taste and a bit more fiber without sacrificing softness.
Vegan Adaptation: Use flax eggs and dairy-free butter to keep these delicious for vegan friends and family.

How to Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Bloom Your Yeast for Perfect Rise

Start by combining your warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Let this sit for about 5 minutes until you see that nice foamy “bloom” on top—this tells you your yeast is alive and kicking. I once skipped this step and my rolls barely rose, so trust me, it’s key!

Step 2: Mix and Knead Your Dough

After the yeast mixture is bubbly, stir in the vegetable oil, salt, and one egg using a fork. Then, pour this liquid into your flour and start mixing until you have a rough dough. Transfer it to a floured surface and knead it by hand for about 8-10 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. If you have a stand mixer, use the dough hook on low for 1 minute and then medium for another 4 minutes, which speeds things up without overdoing it.

Step 3: First Rise—Patience Is Your Friend

Rub some vegetable oil in your mixing bowl, pop the dough back in, cover it with plastic wrap and a towel, then let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours. I like to put mine near the stove or in a slightly warm (not hot) oven. The dough should almost triple in volume. This step really develops the texture you want in your Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe.

Step 4: Shape and Second Rise

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into 16 equal parts. If you’re like me, you might just eyeball it, but a kitchen scale will give a more uniform bake. Roll each piece into a tight ball and place them about an inch apart in a generously buttered 9×13 inch pan. Cover with a tea towel and let rise again for 30 minutes until nicely puffy.

Step 5: Bake and Glaze

Brush the tops with a beaten egg before popping them in the oven preheated to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls turn a lovely golden brown. While they bake, melt your butter and mix in the pressed garlic and chopped parsley—that fresh garlic butter is the finishing touch that takes these rolls over the top.

As soon as your rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture. The smell alone is enough to make your kitchen guests drool. Let them cool just a bit (if you can resist) and dig in!

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Perfect Temperature: Make sure your milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
Knead Until Elastic: I learned that under-kneading leads to dense rolls, so take your time to get that smooth stretchy dough.
Don’t Skip the Second Rise: Letting the shaped rolls rise again ensures they stay light and airy after baking.
Use Fresh Garlic: It makes a big difference in flavor compared to pre-minced or powdered garlic.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

The image shows a white oval dish filled with 15 soft, golden-brown dinner rolls, arranged in three rows with five rolls each. The rolls have a shiny, slightly glossy surface, topped with small bits of chopped green herbs and tiny white salt crystals. A woman's hand is pulling apart one roll from the top right corner, revealing its fluffy, light interior. The dish is set on a white marbled surface with a folded cloth napkin beneath it on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft fluffy dinner rolls, garlic bread dinner rolls, easy homemade dinner rolls, buttery garlic dinner rolls

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a bit of extra chopped parsley on top after brushing with garlic butter—it adds that fresh, vibrant finish and pretty pops of green. Sometimes, a light dusting of sea salt on top just before baking enhances the flavor as well.

Side Dishes

These rolls are perfect alongside soups like creamy tomato or chicken noodle, and my family can’t get enough of them served with hearty stews or roasted chicken dinners. I’ve even tucked them beside garlic butter shrimp or pasta dishes to soak up all the sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the rolls in a circle on a large platter, topped with little bowls of extra garlic butter for dipping. Another fun idea is to pull the rolls apart at the table, making it super interactive and cozy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, I place a damp paper towel over them inside the container before sealing. It really helps maintain that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully. After baking and cooling completely, I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before popping into the freezer. Whenever I want a roll, I just thaw it overnight and warm it up for that fresh-baked experience any time.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes wrapped in foil to lock in moisture. If I’m in a hurry, a 15-20 second zap in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel does the trick, but I prefer the oven method for best texture.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour for this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe?

Yes, you can absolutely use all-purpose flour if bread flour isn’t available. The rolls might be a little less chewy but will still be soft and tasty. Just keep an eye on the dough’s texture and avoid adding too much extra flour.
How can I tell if the yeast is still active?

The best way is to bloom your yeast in warm milk with sugar and wait for about 5 minutes. If it becomes foamy or bubbly, your yeast is active. If nothing happens, it’s time to get fresh yeast for reliable results.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! You can prepare the dough and let it rise once, then cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let it come back to room temperature, shape the rolls, do the second rise, and bake as usual. This makes for a perfect breakfast treat too.
What if I don’t have fresh parsley?

Fresh parsley adds brightness, but if you don’t have it, dried parsley is a decent substitute—use about half the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. You can also experiment with other herbs like chives or basil.

Final Thoughts

Making these Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe has truly become one of my favorite kitchen rituals. I love the way a simple batch of freshly baked rolls can bring everyone around the table with smiles and full hearts. You’ll find that once you master this recipe, it’ll become your trusty sidekick for countless dinners and special moments. Don’t hesitate—grab that flour and yeast, and I bet you’ll fall in love just like I did!