Garlic knots are one of the most loved bread sides around the world. Soft, fluffy, and coated in rich garlic butter, these homemade garlic knots are incredibly easy to make from scratch and taste far better than store-bought versions. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and produces bakery-style garlic knots that are tender on the inside and perfectly flavorful on the outside.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Knot Bread Dough
- Flour: 350 g or approximately 2 3/4 cup-1 tbsp
- Water: 230 ml or 1 cup-2 tsp
- Salt: 6 g or 1 tsp
- Yeast: 3 g or 1 tsp
- Sugar: 15 g or 1 tbsp
For the Garlic Butter Topping
- Butter: 60 g or 4 tbsp
- Finely chopped garlic: 3–4 cloves
- Chopped parsley: 12 g or ¼ cup
- Salt: 3 g or ½ tsp
How to Make Garlic Knots from Scratch
1. Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, add the water, salt, sugar, and yeast. Mix well until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Add the flour and begin kneading the dough either by hand or using a stand mixer. Knead for 7–8 minutes until the dough becomes soft and smooth.
Different flours absorb water differently:
- If the dough feels too hard or tight after 3–4 minutes of kneading, add 1–2 teaspoons of water.
- If the dough feels too sticky after 3–4 minutes, add 1–2 teaspoons of flour.
The dough must be soft and smooth, as only a soft dough will produce soft garlic knots.
Lightly coat the surface of the dough with olive oil, cover it, and allow it to proof.
2. Proof the Dough
Let the dough rise for 90 minutes to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
The dough will rise faster in a warm environment and may take longer in a cooler place.
3. Divide and Shape the Garlic Knots
Once the dough has proofed, gently degas it.
Divide the dough into four equal portions and shape each portion into a rectangle(approximately 5x4inch). Cut each rectangle into four strips(first divide into two, then divide each half into two). This will give you 16 dough strips in total.
Roll each strip into a rope approximately 7 inches (18 cm) long.
Tie each rope into a loose knot and place it upside down on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Cover the tray with cling film or a kitchen towel.
4. Final Rise
Allow the shaped garlic knots to rise for about 45 minutes, or until they are well puffed.
- In a warm place, this may take 30–35 minutes
- In a colder place, it may take up to 60 minutes
5. Prepare the Garlic Butter Topping
While the dough is rising, prepare the topping.
In a pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Remove the pan from heat, then add the chopped parsley and salt. Mix well and keep aside for later use.
6. Bake the Garlic Knots
Preheat the oven to 200°C or 390 F.
Brush the risen garlic knots generously with the prepared garlic butter topping.
Bake for around 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Avoid overbaking, as the rolls may dry out.
Once baked, brush the garlic knots again with the remaining garlic butter .
Top it with parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
These homemade garlic knots are soft, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Whether served alongside pasta, pizza, or enjoyed on their own, they make a perfect addition to any meal. Once you try them from scratch, you may never go back to store-bought garlic bread again.
Garlic knots Recipe from Scratch, Step by step Video
How to store any left over Garlic Knots
- At room temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. - In the refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days. - In the freezer:
Freeze completely cooled garlic knots in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Garlic Knots
- Oven:
Wrap the garlic knots in foil and reheat at 180°C for 8–10 minutes. - Microwave:
Heat for 10–15 seconds. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. - From frozen:
Reheat directly in the oven at 180°C for 12–15 minutes.
Brushing with a little melted butter after reheating helps restore freshness and flavor.
Soft Garlic Knots Recipe from scratch
Ingredients
For Garlic Knots Dough
- 350 g Flour approximately 2 3/4 cup-1 tbsp
- 230 ml Water 1 cup-2 tsp
- 6 g Salt 1 tsp
- 15 g Sugar 1 tbsp
- 3 g Yeast 1 tsp
For the garlic butter topping
- 60 g Butter 4 tbsp
- 4 cloves Garlic finely chopped
- 12 g Parsley finely chopped or 1/4 cup
- 3 g Salt 1/2 tsp
Instructions
Prepare the dough
- In a large bowl, add the water, salt, sugar, and yeast. Mix well until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
- Add the flour and knead the dough until the dough becomes soft and smooth.
Proof the dough
- Let the dough rise for around 90 minutes or until it doubles in size.
Divide and shape the garlic knots
- Once the dough has proofed, gently degas it.
- Divide the dough into four equal portions and shape each portion into a rectangle(approximately 5x4inch). Cut each rectangle into four strips(first divide into two, then divide each half into two). This will give you 16 dough strips in total.
- Roll each strip into a rope approximately 7 inches (18 cm) long. Tie each rope into a loose knot and place it upside down on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Cover the tray with cling film or a kitchen towel.
Final Rising
- Allow the shaped garlic knots to rise for about 45 minutes, or until they are well puffed.
Prepare the garlic butter
- In a pan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant. Remove the pan from heat, then add the chopped parsley and salt. Mix well and keep aside for later use.
Bake the soft garlic knots
- Brush the risen garlic knots generously with the prepared garlic butter topping.Bake for around 20 minutes in a 200°C or 390 F Preheat oven.
- Once baked, brush the garlic knots again with the remaining garlic butter.Grate some parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.Enjoy Soft Garlic Knots while they are fresh and warm out of the oven!