Homemade Garlic Knots Recipe

If you’re longing for bakery-style Homemade Garlic Knots that fill your kitchen with a tempting, comforting aroma and deliver an irresistibly chewy, buttery bite, you’re in the right place! These golden twists of joy are everything you want from classic pizzeria bread knots—soft, pillowy, and oozing with garlicky goodness from top to bottom. Trust me, once you bake these at home, you’ll never go back to the store-bought version!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Homemade Garlic Knots lies in a handful of pantry staples, each one pulling its flavorful weight. Simple ingredients—think flour, yeast, butter, and fresh garlic—work together to create knots that are soft, fluffy, and absolutely mouthwatering. Here’s a peek at what each one brings to your baking party!

• Warm Water (100–110°F): The ideal temperature to wake up your yeast and help the dough rise beautifully.
• Instant Yeast: Ensures a reliable, speedy rise for that pillowy texture every time.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds just a touch of subtle sweetness.
• Olive Oil or Melted Butter: Adds gorgeous flavor and tenderness to every knot.
• Salt: Essential for flavor—don’t be shy!
• Garlic Powder: Lends an extra layer of garlic flavor right in the dough.
• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone of your knots, creating structure and chew.
• Unsalted Butter (for topping): Brushed on warm knots for melt-in-your-mouth richness.
• Fresh Garlic or Garlic Powder (for topping): Packs that signature punchy, aromatic bite.
• Italian Seasoning: A cozy blend of oregano, basil, and parsley for bakery-style flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese & Fresh Parsley (optional): Finish with sparkle, savoriness, and color.

Variations

Think of these Homemade Garlic Knots as your blank, garlicky canvas! You can easily put your own spin on them—swap in new herbs, go cheesy, or make them vegan. It’s fun (and totally delicious) to experiment with the flavors and textures that speak to you.

• Cheesy Garlic Knots: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or provolone inside before tying knots, then finish with extra cheese on top.
• Herb Explosion: Mix fresh chopped rosemary, basil, or chives into your dough or brush into the melted butter topping for extra fragrance and color.
• Vegan Garlic Knots: Use olive oil instead of butter and skip the Parmesan, opting for nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds instead.
• Whole Wheat Knots: Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat to add a hearty, wholesome note to each bite.

How to Make Homemade Garlic Knots

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Begin by whisking together the warm water, yeast, and sugar in your stand mixer’s bowl (or a big mixing bowl if working by hand). Let this mixture sit, covered, for about five minutes. You’ll see it turn slightly foamy as the yeast wakes up—this tiny bit of patience sets the stage for light, airy Homemade Garlic Knots!

Step 2: Make the Dough

Stir in the olive oil (or melted butter), salt, garlic powder, and half the flour. Mix briefly, then add the remaining flour and knead—either by machine or with good old-fashioned elbow grease until you have a soft, slightly tacky dough. If it gets too sticky, a sprinkle of extra flour works wonders, but be gentle; you want the dough just supple enough for beautiful knots.

Step 3: Knead & First Rise

Knead your dough for a full five minutes until it’s springy and elastic. Not sure if you’re there yet? Try the “windowpane test”—stretch a small piece of dough. If it’s thin enough to see light through without tearing, you’re golden. Pop the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temp for 1–2 hours, or until it’s doubled in size. Watching it puff up never gets old!

Step 4: Shape the Knots

Gently deflate (punch down) your dough, turn it out onto a floured surface, and shape it into a log about 16 inches long. Slice into 16 strips, roll each one into a rope, and twist each rope into a loose, classic knot. Place the knots on lined baking sheets, tucking ends underneath if you prefer.

Step 5: Second Rise

Cover the unbaked knots loosely and let them rest for at least 30 minutes—they’ll puff up just slightly, ensuring the finished knots are soft and airy inside.

Step 6: Add the Garlic Butter

Just before baking, whip up your topping by mixing melted butter (or olive oil), garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Generously brush this fragrant mixture over each knot, saving some for a finishing drizzle after baking.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake at 400°F for 20–23 minutes until your kitchen smells like a dream and your Homemade Garlic Knots are deeply golden on top. Fresh out of the oven, brush with the remaining garlic butter and, if you dare, shower with Parmesan and parsley!

How to Serve Homemade Garlic Knots

Garnishes

For true pizzeria glow, shower your Homemade Garlic Knots with a flourish of grated Parmesan and a scattering of chopped fresh parsley while they’re still warm—the cheese will melt into the buttery crevices, and the herbs add a burst of color and freshness. You could even add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick!

Side Dishes

Pair your steaming knots with a bowl of zesty marinara sauce for dunking (a must!), a fresh green salad, or a hearty Italian-inspired soup. They’re also unbeatable on the side of a classic lasagna, spaghetti dinner, or a bowl of creamy tomato bisque.

Creative Ways to Present

Hosting friends? Stack your knots sky-high on a rustic wooden board with little bowls of dipping sauces (think: pesto, spicy honey, or roasted garlic aioli). Or, use them as edible place-setting “knots” with a sprig of rosemary tucked inside each one for a charming, aromatic touch at the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any uneaten Homemade Garlic Knots in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or stash them in the fridge for up to a week. They stay soft and flavorful—perfect for snacking or rounding out another meal later in the week.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze either baked or unbaked knots! Baked knots freeze beautifully for up to 3 months—just let them cool completely before sealing in a freezer bag. Or, freeze already-shaped, unbaked knots; when ready to use, thaw, let rise, then bake as usual for warm-from-the-oven perfection anytime.

Reheating

To enjoy that fresh-baked taste, pop leftover or thawed Homemade Garlic Knots in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in a low oven (about 300°F) until heated through. Brush with a little extra melted butter or olive oil to restore their glossy, tender finish!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to taste the magic of these Homemade Garlic Knots—baked with love, shared with laughter, and destined to become the star of your next meal. Grab that apron and get knotting…it’s a warm, garlicky adventure you’ll want to revisit again and again!

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