Garlic Knots Recipe

The Most Fluffy Homemade Garlic Knots Recipe Ever Created

Irresistible garlic knots upgrade ordinary dough into a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds and awakens hunger.

These twisted bread delights carry an aromatic blend of savory herbs and rich, pungent seasonings.

Pizza parlors and Italian restaurants have long celebrated this crowd-pleasing appetizer that bridges comfort and gourmet experiences.

Soft, pillowy dough becomes a canvas for bold flavors and crispy edges that promise pure satisfaction.

Each knot represents a delectable journey through carefully balanced ingredients and thoughtful preparation techniques.

Perfectly golden-brown exteriors hint at the warm, buttery interior waiting to delight your senses.

You’ll find these delightful morsels impossible to resist, offering a simple yet sophisticated addition to any meal.

What Makes Garlic Knots a Must-Have Side

  • Instant Party Pleaser
  • Foolproof Flavor Explosion: Super easy method creates restaurant-quality appetizers with minimal cooking skills, delivering massive garlic and herb punch in every single bite.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: From tube dough to golden, buttery knots in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers maximum deliciousness with minimal effort, perfect for spontaneous gatherings or sudden hunger attacks.
  • Customizable Comfort Food: Flexible recipe allows quick modifications like adding different herbs, cheese variations, or creating unique dipping sauces to match any taste preference or mood.

Ingredients for Soft, Cheesy Garlic Knots

Base Dough:
  • Refrigerated Pizza Dough: A convenient and quick base for creating soft, pillowy garlic knots with minimal preparation.
  • Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and allows easy shaping of the dough.
Seasoning and Coating:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, luxurious coating that helps herbs and spices adhere to the knots.
  • Garlic: Provides a classic, bold flavor that is the signature taste of these knots.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty dimension and creates a delicious crispy exterior.
  • Basil, Parsley: Fresh herbs that contribute brightness and aromatic complexity to the knots.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
Optional Serving:
  • Dipping Sauce: Allows for personalized enjoyment and adds extra flavor variety to the garlic knots.

How to Bake Golden Garlic Knots at Home

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Divide Dough

Open the dough tube and slice into 16 equal portions.

Step 3: Shape Dough Ropes

Roll each dough portion into a 12-inch rope. Use a light spray of cooking spray to help dough stretch smoothly.

Step 4: Create Knot Shapes

Form a loose knot with each dough rope, leaving about 1 inch of excess on each side.

  • Tuck one end under and into the center of the knot
  • Tuck the other end over into the center of the knot

Repeat for all remaining dough ropes.

Step 5: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place knots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 15 minutes until knots turn a deep, rich golden brown.

Step 7: Prepare Flavor-Packed Butter Mixture

In a mixing bowl, melt butter. Add:
  • Minced garlic
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped basil
  • Chopped parsley
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Stir ingredients until well combined.

Step 8: Coat Knots with Butter Mixture

Transfer hot knots directly into the butter mixture. Gently toss to ensure even coating.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Serve warm with an optional dipping sauce of your choice. Best enjoyed immediately while still hot and fragrant.

Tips for Buttery and Soft Garlic Knots

  • Knead with Care: Gently handle the dough to prevent toughness and ensure soft, tender garlic knots.
  • Spray Smart: Use cooking spray sparingly to help shape the dough without making it soggy.
  • Spacing Matters: Leave enough room between knots on the baking sheet for even browning and crispy edges.
  • Garlic Gold: Brush the butter mixture immediately after baking for maximum flavor absorption and a glossy finish.
  • Temperature Trick: Let the knots cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the butter to set and enhance the texture.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Garlic Knots

  • Refrigerate Carefully: Place leftover garlic knots in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Reheat with Precision: Warm knots in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and soft interior. Wrap loosely in aluminum foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
  • Freeze for Later: Freeze cooled garlic knots in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best texture and flavor restoration.

Dips That Go Perfectly with Garlic Knots

  • Dive into Marinara Magic: Pair these golden garlic knots with a zesty homemade marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired dipping experience that brings out the rich, buttery flavors.
  • Craft the Perfect Wine Companion: Select a crisp, light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc to complement the garlic's bold taste and cut through the buttery richness.
  • Create a Hearty Pizza Sidekick: Serve these knots alongside a classic pepperoni or margherita pizza for an irresistible combo that transforms your meal into a full-blown Italian feast, satisfying every carb lover's dream.
  • Elevate with Creamy Dip Delight: Whip up a quick garlic aioli or herb-infused ranch dressing to add an extra layer of flavor that makes these knots absolutely irresistible and perfect for any gathering.

Garlic Knot Ideas with Extra Flavor

  • Herb-Infused Garlic Knots: Incorporate chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano into the dough before knotting for an aromatic herb-packed version that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Spicy Parmesan Garlic Knots: Mix red pepper flakes and extra grated parmesan into the butter coating, creating a zesty kick that adds bold flavor to the traditional garlic knots.
  • Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Knots: Before knotting, insert small cubes of mozzarella or cheddar cheese inside each dough rope, resulting in a gooey, melted cheese center when baked.
  • Mediterranean-Style Garlic Knots: Sprinkle za'atar seasoning and crumbled feta cheese over the finished knots, transforming the recipe with a Middle Eastern-inspired flavor profile.
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Garlic Knots Recipe

Garlic Knots Recipe


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4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Cheesy garlic knots deliver Italian-American comfort straight from New York pizzerias. Herb-infused dough twists with melted butter and Parmesan create irresistible appetizers that’ll make you crave another bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 1 can (11 ounces/311 grams) refrigerated thin crust pizza dough
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (1 stick/113 grams) butter

Cheese and Herbs:

  • ¼ cup (60 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 teaspoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Dipping Sauce (optional):

  • Marinara sauce
  • Garlic sauce
  • Ranch dressing

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and coat a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the garlic knots.
  2. Extract the refrigerated dough from its packaging and carefully divide it into 16 uniform segments using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors.
  3. Gently roll each dough segment into a slender 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) rope, utilizing cooking spray to prevent sticking and facilitate smooth elongation.
  4. Form each rope into a loose knot, leaving approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of excess dough on each side. Artfully tuck one end underneath and into the center of the knot, then gracefully drape the opposite end over and into the center.
  5. Arrange the knotted dough pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
  6. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the garlic knots achieve a rich, deep golden-brown color and appear crisp on the exterior.
  7. While the knots are baking, create a flavorful coating by melting butter in a mixing bowl. Incorporate minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, finely chopped fresh basil, chopped parsley, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Thoroughly blend the ingredients to create a harmonious mixture.
  8. Once the garlic knots emerge from the oven, immediately transfer them to the prepared butter mixture, gently tossing to ensure each knot is evenly and luxuriously coated.
  9. Serve the warm garlic knots immediately, accompanied by an optional marinara or ranch dipping sauce for added enjoyment.

Notes

  • Ensure dough is at room temperature for easier handling and shaping.
  • Cooking spray helps prevent sticking and adds a light, even coating to the dough.
  • Loose knots create a rustic, artisan look with delightful nooks for butter and herbs.
  • Tuck ends carefully to create a neat, compact knot that won’t unravel during baking.
  • Brush with herb-infused butter immediately after baking for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Let knots rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to meld and texture to settle.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 370 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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