Name: Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk (240g), warm (around 110°F); 3 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast; 1/3 cup sugar (70g); 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour (490g); 1 large egg; 1.5 teaspoons salt; 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature (85g); 1 egg yolk; 1 tbsp milk; 1/4 cup salted butter (57g); 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1-2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

If you’re craving soft, fluffy bread with that irresistible garlicky butter kick, this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe is going to become your new kitchen favorite. I absolutely love how these rolls turn out—pillowy soft on the inside and perfectly golden on the outside, with that fragrant garlic butter brushed on top just melting into every bite. When I first tried making garlic butter rolls at home, I used to struggle with dry edges or a crust that was too tough, but this recipe changed all that for me. Stick with me here, and I’ll share all my best tips so you get bakery-quality rolls right from your own oven.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Follow: This recipe uses simple ingredients and clear steps—even if you’re new to bread making, you’ll feel confident.
Soft, Fluffy Texture: Thanks to the warm milk and proper kneading, you get rolls that are pillow-soft inside without being doughy.
Perfect Garlic Butter Flavor: The garlic butter brushed right after baking makes these rolls irresistible and packed with flavor.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a holiday feast, these rolls impress every time.

The image shows a round wooden board with 10 golden brown baked rolls arranged closely in a circle. Each roll has a shiny, smooth surface with a rich brown color on top and a lighter golden-yellow color on the sides. Tiny green herb flakes and small bits of garlic are sprinkled on the tops and sides of the rolls. One roll is pulled away slightly, revealing a soft, light, and fluffy white inside. The board sits on a white marbled surface with a few scattered green herbs around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy garlic bread, homemade dinner rolls, soft bread rolls, easy garlic dinner rolls

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe plays its part in that perfect texture and rich flavor. Using whole milk ensures tenderness, while a mix of sugar and yeast gives the rolls just the right amount of rise and slight sweetness.

Flat lay of a small mound of all purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a few whole uncracked brown eggs arranged neatly beside it, a small white ceramic bowl filled with warm whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl containing white granulated sugar, a few cloves of fresh garlic finely chopped and placed on a small white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl with softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl with salted butter slices, and a small white ceramic bowl with freshly chopped bright green parsley all symmetrically arranged, 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, fluffy garlic bread, homemade dinner rolls, soft bread rolls, easy garlic dinner rolls

Whole milk: Warm it to about 110°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
Active dry yeast or instant yeast: Either works fine; just make sure it’s fresh for a good rise.
Sugar: This helps feed the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness to balance the garlic.
All purpose flour: Provides structure; use fresh for the best results.
Large egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
Salt: Brings out flavor and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (softened): Mixed into the dough for tenderness and flavor.
Egg yolk and milk (for egg wash): Create that beautiful shiny golden crust.
Salted butter: Used for the garlic butter topping to add that buttery, savory finish.
Garlic cloves: Finely chopped to infuse the butter with fresh garlic flavor.
Fresh parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal notes 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 like to personalize this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. You can easily tweak the garlic or herb amounts to suit your taste buds.

Herb variation: Sometimes I swap parsley for rosemary or thyme to give the rolls an earthy, aromatic twist that pairs beautifully with roast dinners.
Cheesy rolls: Adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or cheddar in the dough makes these rolls even more indulgent—I discovered this trick on a family camping trip and never went back!
Garlic intensity: If you’re a garlic lover like me, add an extra clove or two to the butter mixture for a more pronounced flavor punch.
Whole wheat option: For a heartier version, replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour; the texture will be slightly denser but still delicious.

How to Make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Knead the Dough

Start by stirring your warm milk and yeast together in a large bowl until combined—this wakes up the yeast and gets your dough ready to rise. Then add in the sugar, flour, egg, salt, and softened butter. Stir everything together until you get a shaggy dough. I won’t lie, it’s sticky at first, but that’s exactly what you want! Don’t add extra flour just yet. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead it for about 15 minutes using a gentle push-pull motion with your palms. The dough goes from sticky to wonderfully smooth and stretchy—you’ll know it’s done when it passes the “window-pane” test, meaning you can stretch a small piece thin without tearing it.

Step 2: First Rise

Transfer the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with cling wrap. Place it somewhere warm and humid, like inside your turned-off oven with a bowl of warm water, so it can double in size—this usually takes about 90 minutes. This slow rise is key to developing that soft texture and flavor depth.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

Once your dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn it onto a clean surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Here’s a tip I learned: when rolling each piece into a ball, support the dough in one palm while using the other to twist it gently with a slight curve of your hand—this method gives you smooth, wrinkle-free rolls that bake beautifully. Place the rolls onto a parchment-lined 9×13″ baking pan, making sure they have some space between them for the second rise.

Step 4: Egg Wash and Second Rise

Mix the egg yolk with a tablespoon of milk to make the egg wash. Brush it generously over the rolls for that shiny, golden crust you’re after. Let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until they puff up nicely.

Step 5: Bake and Add Garlic Butter

Preheat your oven to 350°F about 20 minutes into the second rise. Before popping the rolls in, give them one more coat of egg wash to really boost that glossy finish. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until the tops are a beautiful golden color. While the rolls bake, melt the salted butter in a saucepan and sauté the finely chopped garlic for 1-2 minutes—don’t let it brown or burn! Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh parsley. As soon as the rolls come out, brush them generously with the warm garlic butter. Trust me, your kitchen is going to smell amazing.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

Be Patient with Kneading: It might seem long, but good kneading develops gluten for soft, airy rolls — don’t rush this step.
Warm Milk, Not Hot: Too hot can kill the yeast; using around 110°F activates it perfectly for a great rise.
Use the Window-Pane Test: This is my best proof the dough is ready — it ensures a stretchy, elastic dough for soft rolls.
Brush Butter While Hot: Apply garlic butter right after baking so it melts into every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a soft round bread roll, split in half by two woman's hands with red nail polish. The bread has a light golden crust with small green herbs and bits of garlic on the surface. The inside is fluffy and pale yellow. In the background, more whole bread rolls with shiny golden tops and sprinkled herbs rest closely packed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. The warm tones and soft texture of the bread contrast with the sharp details of the herbs and the smooth background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls, fluffy garlic bread, homemade dinner rolls, soft bread rolls, easy garlic dinner rolls

Garnishes

I love sprinkling an extra pinch of fresh chopped parsley on top of the garlic butter just before serving—it adds a fresh, vibrant touch and looks so inviting on the plate.

Side Dishes

These rolls are perfect alongside anything from a creamy tomato soup to a hearty roast chicken dinner. My family goes crazy for them paired with mashed potatoes and green beans or a big bowl of chili on a cozy night.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange the rolls in a wreath shape on a round platter and drizzle extra garlic butter before serving. Makes it festive and perfect for sharing around the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay surprisingly soft, but if you notice any drying, a quick reheat solves that easily.

Freezing

Once baked and cooled, I freeze these rolls individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. This way, I can pull out just what I need without thawing the whole batch.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I wrap them in foil and warm them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. For that fresh buttered shine, I sometimes brush a little melted garlic butter on top after reheating.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast for this Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe?

Absolutely! Instant yeast can be used directly with the dry ingredients without proofing in warm milk first. If using instant yeast, just mix it in with the flour and follow the rest of the instructions as usual.
How do I know if my dough is kneaded enough?

The window-pane test is your best indicator—take a small piece of dough and stretch it gently; it should stretch thin without tearing, almost translucent. This means gluten is well-developed, resulting in soft, elastic rolls.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough, let it rise once, then refrigerate it overnight. Just take it out to come to room temperature before shaping and completing the second rise.
What if I don’t have fresh parsley for the garlic butter?

No worries—dried parsley works fine in a pinch, or you can skip the herbs altogether. The garlic butter alone still adds wonderful flavor to the rolls.
Can I bake these rolls in a convection oven?

Yes, but reduce the temperature by about 25°F and keep an eye on the rolls as they might bake faster. Convection ovens circulate air which can brown the rolls more quickly.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the kind of recipe that feels fancy but is actually so approachable. Once you master it, you’ll find yourself wanting to make these rolls for every meal—your family will love them, friends will ask for the recipe, and you’ll feel pretty proud pulling those golden, butter-glazed beauties out of the oven. Give it a go, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!