Great for parties, family dinners, and gatherings.
Can be prepared ahead of time and reheated easily.
Tastes even better when served warm from the oven.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Active dry yeast
Warm water
Granulated sugar
Salt
Olive oil
Unsalted butter
Fresh garlic, minced
Fresh parsley, chopped
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a rope about 8 inches long.
Tie each rope into a loose knot and tuck the ends underneath.
Arrange the knots on the prepared baking sheet and cover loosely.
Let the knots rise for 20–30 minutes until puffy.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
While the knots bake, melt the butter and mix it with the minced garlic and parsley.
Remove the knots from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Serve warm.
Servings and timing
Servings: 12 garlic knots
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Variations
Add Italian seasoning to the garlic butter for extra flavor.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top before baking.
Use roasted garlic instead of fresh garlic for a sweeter taste.
Add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Brush with herb butter made with basil, oregano, and parsley.
Top with everything bagel seasoning for a unique twist.
Include cheddar or Parmesan inside the dough for cheesy garlic knots.
Storage/Reheating
Storage
Store cooled garlic knots in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze tightly wrapped garlic knots for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes until warm.
Wrap in foil while reheating to maintain softness.
Microwave individual knots for 10–15 seconds for a quick option.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought pizza dough is an excellent shortcut and works very well for garlic knots.
Can I make garlic knots ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the knots and refrigerate them before the second rise.
Why are my garlic knots dense?
Dense knots are usually caused by insufficient rising time or inactive yeast.
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, instant yeast can be substituted and mixed directly with the dry ingredients.
How do I keep garlic knots soft?
Avoid overbaking and store them in an airtight container once cooled.
Can I freeze garlic knots?
Yes, both baked and unbaked garlic knots freeze well.
Is fresh garlic better than garlic powder?
Fresh garlic provides the most robust flavor, but garlic powder can be used if needed.
Can I add cheese?
Absolutely. Parmesan, mozzarella, cheddar, or Asiago all work wonderfully.
What should I serve with garlic knots?
They pair perfectly with pasta dishes, soups, salads, marinara sauce, and pizza.
How do I get extra garlic flavor?
Brush the knots with a second layer of garlic butter immediately before serving.
Conclusion
Easy Garlic Knots are a delicious and crowd-pleasing bread recipe that combines soft, fluffy dough with rich garlic butter and fresh herbs. Whether you’re serving them alongside a hearty pasta dinner, enjoying them as an appetizer, or snacking on them straight from the oven, these homemade garlic knots are guaranteed to be a hit. Their simple preparation and irresistible flavor make them a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Easy Garlic Knots are soft, fluffy, homemade bread knots brushed with a rich garlic butter sauce and finished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden brown and bursting with savory flavor, these irresistible garlic knots make the perfect appetizer, side dish, or snack. Serve them alongside pasta, soups, salads, or pizza for a crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.
Author:Catherine
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Yield:12 garlic knots
Category:Appetizer / Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-Inspired
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Dough
3 cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Garlic Butter Topping
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Add the flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions.
Roll each portion into an 8-inch rope.
Tie each rope into a loose knot and tuck the ends underneath.
Arrange the knots on the prepared baking sheet.
Cover loosely and let rise for 20–30 minutes until puffy.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
While the knots bake, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl.
Remove the knots from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Serve warm.
Notes
Fresh garlic provides the most authentic and robust flavor.For extra garlic flavor, brush the knots with a second coating of garlic butter just before serving.Store-bought pizza dough can be used as a quick shortcut.Avoid overbaking to keep the knots soft and tender.Add Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for additional flavor.Parmesan, mozzarella, Asiago, or cheddar cheese can be added for a cheesy variation.
