If you’ve ever found yourself torn between baking classic dinner rolls or serving a basket of warm, garlicky goodness for the holidays, let me make your life easier: Garlic Bread Rolls are the answer. These rolls are soft, fluffy, and oh-so-rich in garlic flavor. They practically beg to be pulled apart and devoured. Perfect for Thanksgiving, or honestly, any time carbs call your name (which for me is… daily).
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Why You’ll Love These Garlic Bread Rolls
These garlic bread rolls are comfort food magic. Made from scratch, they feature fresh minced garlic in the dough and a finishing brush of melted garlic-herb butter that takes them over the top. The result? A heavenly combo of pillowy softness and bold, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth.
They’re also surprisingly simple to make. Whether you’re prepping for a full Thanksgiving spread or just need something warm and cozy to go with your favorite soup, these rolls will not disappoint.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 1/2 cups + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (measured correctly!)
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup warm milk (whole or 2%, 110°F)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 beaten egg, for brushing tops
For the Garlic Butter Topping:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Flaky sea salt, optional but heavenly
How to Make Garlic Bread Rolls
1. Prep Your Pan
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking pan. Set it aside and try not to drool over what’s to come.
2. Infuse That Butter
Melt the butter in a small pot and stir in the garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic smells amazing (i.e., your kitchen now smells like a dream). Let it cool while you measure your other ingredients.

3. Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, parsley, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, egg, and garlic butter. Knead the dough using a stand mixer and dough hook on low speed for about 10-12 minutes, until it’s smooth and soft. If it’s a little too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time.

4. Shape and Rise
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions (67g each if you’re into precision). Shape them into smooth balls, pinching the bottom to seal. Place them in your prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden and puffed.

6. Finish with Garlic Butter
While they bake, whip up the garlic butter topping. Melt the butter, stir in garlic, cook for a minute or two, then remove from heat and mix in the parsley. Brush it generously on the hot rolls and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Mounia’s Tips for the Best Garlic Bread Rolls
- Don’t skip the fresh garlic: It makes all the difference in both the dough and the topping.
- Use a kitchen scale: Not just for the flour—weighing the dough ensures even rolls that bake beautifully.
- Make ahead magic: Shape them the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh the next day. Your future self will thank you.
- Serve them warm: Always. Trust me, the gooey, garlicky goodness is best when fresh out of the oven.
A Little Story from My Kitchen
I first made these Garlic Bread Rolls one chaotic Thanksgiving where everything else seemed to go sideways—burned sweet potatoes, forgotten cranberry sauce…you name it. But these rolls? They were the unexpected hero. My family raved. I doubled the batch for Christmas. Now they’re a must-have.
FAQs About Garlic Bread Rolls
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant?
Yes! Just dissolve it in the warm milk with a pinch of sugar first. Let it foam up for 5-10 minutes before using.
Can I prep these ahead for Thanksgiving?
Absolutely. After shaping, cover the pan tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temp and rise fully before baking.
How should I store leftovers?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Can I freeze them?
You bet. Freeze after baking and cooling. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.
Bring the Comfort to Your Table
Garlic Bread Rolls are the perfect mix of cozy and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu or just looking for a way to up your dinner roll game, these buttery, garlicky gems are pure comfort in every bite. And honestly, who doesn’t need more of that?
Looking for even more garlicky inspiration? Check out these delicious garlic rolls from Cambrea Bakes — another irresistible take on a comforting classic.
Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they steal the spotlight on your holiday table!
More Recipes to Pair with Garlic Bread Rolls
Looking to round out your holiday table or find the perfect complement to these warm, garlicky rolls? Here are a few reader-favorite recipes that make delicious pairings:
- Try these Cranberry and Brie Holiday Pull-Apart Bread for a festive, cheesy bite that’s perfect alongside any bread basket.
- For a hearty main dish, serve your rolls with Garlic Tomato Chicken with Mozzarella — the flavors are a match made in cozy dinner heaven.
- Add a seasonal twist with this Thanksgiving Stuffing that’s savory, herbaceous, and begging to be scooped up with a soft roll.
- Finish off with a sweet touch like Christmas Sprinkle Buttermilk Bread — festive, moist, and a delightful way to celebrate.
These recipes don’t just complement your garlic bread rolls — they help turn any dinner into a memorable feast. Happy cooking!
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Garlic Bread Rolls Bliss – 1 Must-Have for Thanksgiving
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Description
Soft, fluffy, and buttery, these Garlic Bread Rolls are packed with rich garlic flavor inside and out. Perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or cozy weeknights — easy to make and always a hit with the crowd!
Ingredients
4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup whole or 2% milk, warmed to 110°F
1 large egg, room temperature
1 beaten egg, for brushing tops
For the Garlic Butter Topping:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Flaky sea salt, for finishing (optional)
Instructions
Prep the Pan: Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
Make Garlic Butter: In a small saucepan, melt 4 1/2 tablespoons butter. Add 2 tablespoons minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (1–2 minutes). Let cool.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, parsley, sugar, yeast, and salt.
Form the Dough: Add the warm milk, egg, and garlic butter. Mix on low speed with dough hook for 10–12 minutes, until the dough is smooth and tacky. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
Shape Rolls: Divide into 12 equal portions (about 67g each), shape into balls, and place in the pan.
First Rise: Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush rolls with beaten egg. Bake for 20–30 minutes or until golden brown.
Finish with Garlic Butter: While baking, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon garlic. Cook until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
Serve: Brush baked rolls with garlic butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve warm!
Notes
Measuring Tip: Use the spoon-and-level method or a kitchen scale for accurate flour measurement.
Using Active Dry Yeast? Activate in warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5–10 minutes before adding to dough.
Make-Ahead: After shaping, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temp and let rise before baking.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temp or freeze up to 1 month.
Reheating: Warm in oven at 350°F covered with foil or microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
