Garlic Bread Rolls Easy Homemade Fluffy Buns

There is nothing quite like the aroma of homemade garlic butter dinner rolls wafting through the kitchen. If you have been searching for the best bread recipe to impress your family, look no further. These rolls are the definition of bread aesthetic: golden-brown, glistening with herbs, and impossibly soft.

While many bread ideas can feel intimidating, this recipe is designed to be one of the most easy bread recipes for beginners. We ditch the dry, dense texture often found in store-bought versions for a cloud-like crumb that melts in your mouth. Whether you are planning your Thanksgiving cooking menu or just need a comforting side for pasta night, these garlic bread rolls are the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Bread Rolls

• Pillowy Texture: Unlike standard loaf bread recipes that can be heavy, these rolls use enriched dough for a cotton-soft, pull-apart texture.
• Double Garlic Flavor: We don’t just brush garlic on top; we infuse the dough with DIY garlic butter for bread, ensuring flavor in every bite.
• Beginner-Friendly: This is one of those bread recipes homemade bakers can master on the first try. We include the “windowpane test” to guarantee success.
• Perfect for Holidays: These are the ultimate easy homemade garlic butter dinner rolls for Christmas or Thanksgiving they can even be prepped ahead of time!
• Better Than Brioche: While similar to brioche bread in richness, these are lighter and more savory, making them the perfect breakfast bread or dinner side.

Ingredients Needed for Garlic Bread Rolls

The secret to easy garlic butter breadsticks or rolls lies in the quality of the enriched dough. Here is what you need to make the best bread of your life:

For the Enriched Dough:

• Unsalted Butter (4 ½ tbsp): Softened. This fat inhibits gluten slightly, creating that tender crumb.
• Minced Garlic (2 tbsp): Fresh is best for that potent, savory kick.
• All-Purpose Flour (3 ½ cups + 1 tbsp): The structural base. Note: Measure by spooning and leveling to avoid dense rolls.
• Fresh Parsley (3 tbsp): Finely chopped for color and fresh herbaceous notes.
• Granulated Sugar (1 tbsp): Feeds the yeast and aids browning.
• Instant Yeast (2 ¼ tsp): For a quick, reliable rise.
• Fine Sea Salt (1 tsp): Essential to balance the rich flavors.
• Whole or 2% Milk (1 cup): Warmed to 110°F. If it’s too hot, it kills the yeast; too cold, and the rise will take forever.
• Large Egg (1): Room temperature. This adds richness and structure.
• Beaten Egg (1): For the egg wash to get that glossy, golden bread aesthetic.

For the Signature Garlic Glaze:

• Unsalted Butter (2 tbsp): The base of your easy garlic butter.
• Minced Garlic (1 tbsp): Because you can never have enough.
• Fresh Parsley (1 tbsp): Chopped.
• Flaky Sea Salt: The finishing crunch that makes these butter bread rolls pop.

How to Make Garlic Bread Rolls

Follow these steps to master one of the tastiest easy bread recipes for beginners.

1. Prepare the Pan

Start by lightly buttering the bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch baking pan. This ensures your loaves recipes or rolls don’t stick and develop a nice bottom crust. Set this aside.

2. Infuse the Flavor Base

We aren’t just adding raw garlic; we are making garlic butter for bread dough. In a small pot, melt the 4 ½ tablespoons of butter and add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. Sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant—do not burn it. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

3. Mix the Dough

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of parsley, sugar, yeast, and salt. Pour in the warm milk (check that it is 110°F!), the room-temperature egg, and that delicious melted garlic butter mixture you just made.

4. Knead for Texture (The Secret Step)

Using the dough hook attachment, knead on low speed for 10-12 minutes.

• The Visual Cue: The dough should look smooth, feel soft, and be slightly tacky (sticky to the touch but not leaving residue).
• The Windowpane Test: To ensure this is the best bread texture, tear off a small piece of dough and stretch it. If it stretches thin enough to let light through without tearing, your gluten is developed.
• Troubleshooting: If it’s too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time.

5. Shape the Rolls

Turn the dough onto a surface and cut it into 12 equal portions (use a scale for precision about 67 grams each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pulling the sides down and pinching the seam at the bottom. This surface tension creates a beautiful rise.

6. The Rise

Place the dough balls into your prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap or a warm towel. Let them rise in a warm, draft-free spot until they have doubled in size (about 1-2 hours). This patience is key for homemade garlic butter for garlic bread rolls that are fluffy, not dense.

7. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Gently brush the risen rolls with the beaten egg wash. Bake for 20-30 minutes. You are looking for a deep golden-brown top.

8. The Garlic Finish

While they bake, make your easy garlic butter topping. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a pot, add 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the parsley.

• The Finale: As soon as the rolls leave the oven, brush them immediately with this hot garlic butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm for the ultimate butter bread experience

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serving: These are versatile. Serve them alongside pasta, as a side for Thanksgiving cooking, or even slice them open for mini sliders. They are essentially savory brioche bread clouds!
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: To restore that fresh-baked texture, wrap the rolls in foil and warm them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. This prevents them from drying out.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked rolls for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.

Helpful Notes for Success

• Flour Measurement: If you don’t have a scale, fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into the measuring cup, and level it off. Scooping directly packs the flour and leads to dense loaf bread recipes.
• Yeast: We use Instant Yeast for speed. If you only have Active Dry, proof it in the warm milk for 5 minutes until foamy before adding it to the mix.
• The “Tacky” Factor: Don’t be afraid of sticky dough. Tacky dough equals moist, soft rolls. Dry dough equals hard rocks.

Conclusion

Mastering bread recipes homemade style doesn’t have to be a chore. These Garlic Bread Rolls offer the perfect balance of ease and elegance, making them a staple for Thanksgiving cooking or Sunday dinners. The combination of the enriched dough and the homemade garlic butter for garlic bread topping creates a flavor profile that store-bought rolls just can’t match.

Did you try this recipe? We’d love to see your bread aesthetic! Leave a comment and a star rating below, and don’t forget to pin this to your “Best Bread” board on Pinterest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the ingredients in a garlic roll?

A classic garlic roll uses an enriched dough consisting of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, milk, egg, and butter. The defining ingredient is the garlic butter for bread, which includes fresh minced garlic, unsalted butter, and herbs like parsley, used both inside the dough and as a glaze.

What’s the secret to flavorful garlic rolls?

The secret is layering the flavor. Many recipes only brush garlic on top. To get the best bread flavor, you must infuse the dough itself with sautéed garlic and herbs, and then apply a second layer of DIY garlic butter for bread immediately after baking while the pores of the bread are open.

How to make bread rolls fluffy?

Fluffiness comes from three things:

1. Enrichment: Using milk and butter instead of water.
2. Kneading: Developing the gluten (pass the windowpane test) so it can trap gas.
3. Proper Proofing: Letting the dough double in size without rushing it. This creates the “pillowy” texture found in brioche bread.

What is the secret to perfect rolls?

The secret is the moisture content. Keep your dough “tacky” (slightly sticky). If you add too much flour during kneading, the rolls will be tough. Also, weighing your ingredients (grams) rather than using cups ensures accuracy, which is vital for easy bread recipes for beginners.

Why use milk instead of water in bread?

Milk contains fats and sugars (lactose) that water lacks. The fat tenderizes the gluten strands, resulting in a softer crumb and a richer flavor, similar to loaves recipes like milk bread. It also helps the crust brown more beautifully than water does.

How to enhance the flavor of garlic?

To avoid the sharp, bitter taste of raw garlic, lightly sauté the minced garlic in butter for 1-2 minutes before adding it to the dough or glaze. This “blooms” the oils and creates a sweeter, mellower, and more aromatic savory flavor perfect for easy homemade garlic butter dinner rolls.

More easy Recipes To Try!

Banana Muffins

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole