There’s nothing quite like warm, buttery garlic knots fresh from the oven—soft, fluffy, and dripping with garlicky goodness. This Easy and Delicious Garlic Knots recipe is the ultimate sidekick for pasta nights, soup dinners, or even as a stand-alone snack. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes if you’re using pre-made dough, this recipe is a lifesaver on busy evenings. The aroma of garlic and herbs wafting through your kitchen is enough to make everyone gather around the table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: With store-bought pizza dough, you’re only a few steps away from hot, golden garlic knots on the table.
- Flavor-Packed: Buttery, garlicky, and sprinkled with herbs—each bite is a delicious explosion of flavor.
- Versatile: Serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or party snack. They never go out of place.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These garlic knots disappear fast. Make a double batch if you’re feeding a group!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of irresistible garlic knots:
- Pizza Dough: Store-bought or homemade—this is your base. Make sure it’s thawed and ready to use.
- Butter: For brushing over the knots and carrying all the flavor. Use unsalted so you can control the saltiness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is key. Don’t skimp—this is the star of the show.
- Parsley: Freshly chopped parsley adds a burst of color and freshness.
- Olive Oil: Helps the butter mix stick better and gives a nice sheen to the knots.
- Parmesan Cheese: Optional but highly recommended for that savory finish.
- Salt: Just a pinch to bring everything together.
Variations
Want to mix things up a bit? Here are some tasty twists:
- Cheesy Garlic Knots: Add mozzarella inside before tying the dough into knots for a gooey surprise.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in some red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a touch of heat.
- Herb Blend: Mix in dried oregano or Italian seasoning for an herby twist.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter and skip the cheese, or use your favorite plant-based substitute.
How to Make Garlic Knots
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle. Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide and 5 inches long.
Step 2: Shape the Knots
Take each strip and gently tie it into a knot. Tuck the ends underneath. Place each knot on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced a couple of inches apart.
Step 3: Bake the Knots
Pop them into the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter
While the knots are baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. Heat for about 1 minute—just until fragrant. Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped parsley.
Step 5: Brush and Serve
As soon as the knots come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, if using. Serve warm!
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Dough: Cold dough is harder to work with and won’t rise as well in the oven.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes—golden brown is what you want, not too dark.
- Double the Butter Mix: If you love that garlicky flavor (who doesn’t?), make extra butter mix to brush on after serving.
- Fresh Garlic Over Powder: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor and is worth the extra minute to mince.
How to Serve
Garlic knots are incredibly versatile and can be served in so many tasty ways:
Classic Pairing:
Serve them alongside spaghetti, lasagna, or any saucy pasta dish. They’re perfect for sopping up extra sauce.
Soup Side:
Pair with creamy tomato soup or minestrone for a warm, comforting meal.
Snack Style:
Serve with marinara or ranch for dipping. Great for game nights or party platters.
Sandwich Substitute:
Slice them open and stuff with mini meatballs or mozzarella for a fun, bite-sized sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled garlic knots in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freeze baked (but unbuttered) garlic knots in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, reheat and brush with fresh garlic butter.
Reheating
To reheat, place in a 350°F oven for 5–8 minutes or microwave for 20–30 seconds. Reapply garlic butter after warming to revive the flavor.
FAQs
Can I make the dough from scratch?
Absolutely! A simple yeast dough made with flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and salt works beautifully. Just allow enough time for rising.
Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the knots and refrigerate them on a baking tray covered in plastic wrap for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
Garlic powder can work in a pinch, but fresh garlic gives the best flavor and aroma.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Totally! Just swap the butter for a vegan alternative and skip or replace the cheese with a dairy-free version.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never made garlic knots at home, now’s the time. They’re outrageously good, ridiculously easy, and always a hit no matter when or how you serve them. Once you try these, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them from a restaurant. So grab that dough and start twisting—garlicky bliss is just a bake away!
PrintEasy and Delicious Garlic Knots Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 garlic knots 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These easy and delicious garlic knots are soft, fluffy, and packed with buttery garlic flavor. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle and cut into 12 strips.
- Tie each strip into a knot and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Brush half of the garlic butter mixture over the knots.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and immediately brush with remaining garlic butter.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use refrigerated pizza dough for convenience.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 garlic knot
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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