Cheesy Garlic Butter Parmesan Dinner Rolls Recipe
Introduction
These Cheesy Garlic Butter Parmesan Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with rich flavors. Perfect as a side for any meal or enjoyed on their own, they combine buttery garlic goodness with savory parmesan for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp instant yeast (SAF-Instant yeast recommended)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, about 70°F)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
- 3 garlic cloves (freshly grated)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Additional kosher salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm water, instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir and let stand for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes creamy to activate the yeast.
- Step 2: Add room temperature butter, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients start to come together, then knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Remove the bowl, cover with a dish towel, and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Step 4: While the dough rises, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over low-medium heat. Add grated garlic and cook until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic. Brush half of the garlic butter on the bottom and sides of two cake pans or a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Step 5: Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a ball, then divide into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and arrange them in the prepared pans brushed with garlic butter.
- Step 6: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Let the shaped dough balls rise near the warm oven for 15 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes until the tops begin to turn golden. Remove from oven, brush with reserved garlic butter, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and a pinch of kosher salt, then return to the oven for 3–5 minutes more until deep golden brown.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley if using. Let rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or serving platter. Enjoy fresh for best flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use a warm, draft-free spot for rising to ensure fluffy rolls.
- Swap Parmesan for Asiago or Pecorino for a different cheesy twist.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 10 minutes.
Storage
Store cooled rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave with a damp paper towel to restore softness. For longer storage, freeze the baked rolls wrapped tightly for up to 2 months, then thaw and reheat before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
What if I don’t have instant yeast?
You can use active dry yeast but dissolve it in the warm water first and let it sit until foamy before proceeding. Instant yeast is more convenient as it can be mixed directly with flour.
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Cheesy Garlic Butter Parmesan Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 rolls 1x
Description
These Cheesy Garlic Butter Parmesan Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with rich garlic butter and Parmesan flavor. Perfect for serving alongside your favorite meals or as a tasty appetizer, these rolls are made from scratch with a tender yeast dough and topped with a fragrant garlic butter and Parmesan cheese glaze. The addition of parsley adds a fresh, colorful finish to these irresistible homemade rolls.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp instant yeast (SAF-Instant recommended)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (about 70°F)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (lightly spooned and leveled, King Arthur recommended)
For the Topping:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- More kosher salt, for sprinkling before baking
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F), 1 tbsp instant yeast, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar. Stir them together and let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes until it becomes creamy, indicating the yeast is activated for fluffy rolls.
- Make and Knead the Dough: Add 2 tbsp room temperature unsalted butter, 4 cups all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients come together, then increase to medium speed. Knead for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic and starts to make a slapping sound against the bowl sides.
- Let the Dough Rise: Remove the dough bowl from the mixer and cover it with a dish towel. Place in a warm spot and let the dough rise until doubled in volume, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. If your kitchen is cooler, use the longer rising time. This is critical for airy, pillowy rolls.
- Prepare Garlic Butter and Baking Pans: While the dough rises, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter over low-medium heat in a small saucepan. Add the 3 grated garlic cloves and cook gently until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Brush about half of this garlic butter over the bottom and sides of two cake pans or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Reserve the remaining butter for later.
- Shape and Arrange the Dough Balls: Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a smooth ball, then cut into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and arrange them evenly in the prepared pans brushed with garlic butter.
- Second Rise and Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pans near the warm oven and let the dough balls rise for 15 minutes. Bake the rolls for 15 minutes until they start to turn golden brown on top. Remove from oven, brush generously with the reserved garlic butter, sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and a light sprinkle of kosher salt. Return to the oven and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes until the rolls are cooked through and deep golden brown.
- Finish and Serve the Rolls: Remove the rolls from the oven and optionally sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped parsley for color and freshness. Let the rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or serving platter. Serve warm for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the water temperature is about 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading until the dough is elastic helps develop gluten for fluffy, soft rolls.
- Letting the dough rise in a warm spot accelerates yeast activity.
- Be careful not to brown the garlic when melting the butter, or the flavor will become bitter.
- These rolls are best enjoyed the day they are baked but can be warmed gently if needed later.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best taste and melting quality.
- Optional parsley adds a pop of color and subtle freshness to the savory rolls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Bread, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: garlic dinner rolls, cheesy rolls, Parmesan rolls, garlic butter rolls, homemade bread, yeast rolls
