Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 25 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 6 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for the fluffiest, most melt-in-your-mouth rolls to add a gourmet touch to your dinner table, you’re in the right place. This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is honestly a game-changer—soft, buttery, with just the right hint of garlic that feels like a warm hug in carb form. I’ve made these countless times, and whether it’s for a weeknight supper or a holiday feast, they never fail to impress. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the little tricks so you nail these rolls every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfectly Soft Texture: The long kneading and proofing create a tender, airy crumb that’s just right—not too dense or chewy.
Flavor Balance: Garlic butter brushed on fresh from the oven takes these rolls from simple to irresistible.
Easy to Follow: Minimal ingredients and step-by-step instructions make it beginner-friendly but impressive enough for guests.
Versatile: These rolls pair beautifully with anything from hearty stews to light salads.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft garlic dinner rolls, easy dinner rolls recipe, fluffy homemade dinner 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

Each ingredient here plays a key role in both flavor and texture. Picking quality basics like fresh yeast and real butter makes a noticeable difference—and knowing why they’re included helps you troubleshoot or swap if needed.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft garlic dinner rolls, easy dinner rolls recipe, fluffy homemade dinner 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

Warm whole milk: It activates the yeast gently and adds richness; too hot and it can kill the yeast, too cold and the dough rises slowly.
Active dry or instant yeast: The magic behind the rise, creating those beautiful airy pockets inside the rolls.
Sugar: Feeds the yeast and balances the savory garlic, while helping create a soft crust.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure; if you use bread flour, expect chewier rolls, but all-purpose yields softer results.
Large egg: Adds richness, improves texture, and helps with browning.
Salt: Essential for flavor balance and controlling yeast activity.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds moisture and tenderness; use softened butter so it incorporates evenly.
Egg wash (egg yolk + milk): Gives the rolls their shiny, golden crust that’s so inviting.
Salted butter for garlic butter: Adds luscious garlic flavor and glossy finish.
Fresh garlic cloves: Finely chopped so the flavor infuses the butter perfectly without being overpowering.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness.

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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.

Make It Your Way

While I adore the classic garlic butter flavor, I love tweaking this recipe to suit different moods and occasions. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—these rolls are a great canvas for all kinds of fun flavors.

Herby Twist: I’ve mixed in rosemary or thyme with the parsley for a more aromatic touch that pairs well with roasted meats.
Cheesy Variation: Adding a sprinkle of parmesan on top before baking adds a delicious savory crust.
Vegan Adaptation: Swap the butter for plant-based margarine and use a flax egg or aquafaba for the egg wash.
Spicy Kick: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a gentle heat boost.

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

Step 1: Activate the yeast and gather ingredients

Warm your milk to about 110°F — it should feel warm but not hot to the touch. Mix in the yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy—that’s how you know the yeast is happily awake and ready to go.

Step 2: Combine and start your dough

Add the rest of the ingredients—flour, sugar, egg, salt, and softened butter—right into the yeast-milk mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hand until it forms a rough, shaggy dough. Don’t worry if it’s sticky—that’s perfect.

Step 3: Knead to perfection

Turn the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead using the push-pull motion with your palms for about 15 minutes. Don’t add extra flour—it’ll toughen up your rolls. If your dough is sticky at first, that’s normal; just keep going. Look for it to become smooth and elastic—when you can stretch a small piece thin like paper without tearing, you’re golden.

Step 4: First rise – patience is key

Oil a large bowl and place your dough inside, covering it with cling wrap. Put it somewhere warm and cozy—a slightly warm oven, or near a sunny window—until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 90 minutes. This step is what gives these rolls that fluffy lightness, so resist the urge to rush it!

Step 5: Shape the rolls

Punch the dough down gently and turn it onto your work surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces—use a kitchen scale if you want to be super precise. Roll each piece into a tight, smooth ball. I like cupping a dough ball in one hand and rotating it with the other to get a taut surface without wrinkles. This step really helps your rolls look bakery-quality.

Step 6: Second rise and egg wash

Place the balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing evenly. Whisk together egg yolk and milk for the egg wash and brush it generously over all the rolls. Then let them rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy and soft.

Step 7: Bake & make garlic butter

Preheat your oven to 350°F about 20 minutes before baking. Give the rolls another brush of egg wash for that gorgeous shine and bake for 20-22 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan, sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes), then stir in fresh parsley off the heat.

Step 8: Final touch

Right when the rolls come out of the oven and are still warm, brush them with that luscious garlic butter. This step is *the* difference-maker, locking in flavor and creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Rush the Kneading: I once tried speeding through this step and ended up with dense rolls. Spending those 15 minutes kneading is worth every second.
Use a Kitchen Scale: Weighing your dough pieces ensures even baking and uniform roll size, which looks so professional on the table.
Fresh Garlic Matters: Pre-chopping garlic and letting it sit in butter for a couple of minutes off heat really mellows the sharpness and makes the rolls cozy and comforting.
Second Rise is Crucial: If you skip or shorten this, rolls won’t puff up as nicely, so give them the time they deserve—even if you’re hungry!

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, soft garlic dinner rolls, easy dinner rolls recipe, fluffy homemade dinner 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 usually sprinkle a little extra fresh parsley over the rolls right after brushing with garlic butter. It adds just the right freshness and a lovely pop of color. Sometimes, I love adding a tiny hint of flaky sea salt on top for a delicate crunch that contrasts with the softness.

Side Dishes

These rolls are my go-to side for comfort meals like roast chicken, beef stew, or creamy pasta dishes. I also love serving them alongside a fresh green salad or a warm bowl of tomato soup—the garlic butter transforms them into a full meal experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners or special occasions, I arrange the garlic butter rolls in a circular pattern on a wooden board, topping them with little piles of flavored butters (like honey butter or herbed cream cheese). It turns a simple bread into a beautiful centerpiece that guests can’t resist digging into.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover rolls in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay soft, but if you find them a bit dry, a quick warm-up will bring them back to life.

Freezing

These rolls freeze beautifully—just cool completely, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 3 months. I usually freeze them right after baking and brushing with garlic butter; you can always reheat with a little extra garlic butter brushed on.

Reheating

To warm rolls, I pop them in a 350°F oven wrapped loosely in foil for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps them soft and moist, and if you brush on more garlic butter before reheating, it feels freshly baked every time.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! Instant yeast can be used interchangeably with active dry yeast. Just mix it directly with the flour and other ingredients without needing to proof it in warm milk first. It might even speed up the rising time slightly.
My rolls turned out dense—what went wrong?

This usually happens if the dough wasn’t kneaded enough or didn’t rise fully before baking. Make sure to knead the dough until it’s smooth and stretchy and allow it to double in size during the first rise. Also, avoid adding too much extra flour during kneading.
Can I prepare the dough the night before?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and let it rise once, then cover and refrigerate it overnight. The next day, take it out, shape the rolls, do the second rise, and bake. This slow fermentation actually enhances the flavor.
How many rolls does this recipe yield?

You’ll get 12 perfectly sized rolls, ideal for sharing with family or friends.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s the recipe I turn to when I want something utterly comforting but still a little fancy. Whether shared around the table with loved ones or tucked into a solo cozy meal, these rolls have a way of making any occasion feel a little warmer. I hope you try making them and love the process as much as the delicious results. Trust me, once you master this recipe, you’ll have everyone asking for seconds and the secret behind your irresistible garlic butter rolls!