Garlic Pull Apart Rolls

Introduction

Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls are a delicious and aromatic bread that will instantly elevate any meal. Soft, fluffy, and infused with savory garlic butter, these rolls are the perfect accompaniment to dinner, whether it’s a family gathering, a festive occasion, or simply a comforting homemade meal. The pull-apart style makes them incredibly fun to eat, as you can easily tear off each soft, buttery piece. Plus, with the addition of fragrant garlic and a touch of fresh herbs, these rolls bring an irresistible flavor that everyone will love. You’ll find yourself reaching for these garlic pull-apart rolls again and again!

Perfect for:

  • Family dinners
  • Holiday meals
  • Barbecues and cookouts
  • Potlucks
  • Garlic bread lovers

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Here’s why Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire:

  • Incredible Flavor: The rich garlic butter that coats each roll creates a bold, savory flavor that perfectly complements the soft, fluffy texture of the bread.
  • Soft and Fluffy: The dough is incredibly soft and airy, making these rolls melt in your mouth with every bite.
  • Fun to Eat: The pull-apart style adds a playful and interactive element to mealtime, as you can easily tear off each piece.
  • Quick and Easy: Though these rolls are made from scratch, the process is straightforward, and with a little patience, you can have fresh rolls baking in no time.
  • Customizable: You can tweak the garlic butter to your liking, adding fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra boost of flavor.

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Total Time: 2 hours (including rise time)
  • Preparation Time: 20 minutes
  • Baking Time: 25 minutes
  • Servings: 12 rolls
  • Calories per serving: Approximately 180-220 calories (depending on the amount of garlic butter used)
  • Key Nutrients: Protein: 4g, Carbs: 28g, Fat: 7g

Ingredients for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup whole milk, warm
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (for garlic butter), melted
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced (or more for extra flavor)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • A pinch of sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)

Ingredient Highlights for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

  • Active Dry Yeast: The yeast is what makes the rolls rise, giving them their soft, fluffy texture. Be sure the water is warm (not too hot) to activate the yeast.
  • Butter: Both in the dough and in the garlic butter topping, butter gives the rolls their richness and flavor.
  • Garlic: The minced garlic mixed into the melted butter creates that mouth-watering aroma and bold flavor that makes garlic pull-apart rolls so irresistible.
  • Egg & Milk: The egg enriches the dough, while the warm milk helps keep the rolls soft and tender.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. If the yeast doesn’t activate (doesn’t foam), it might be expired, and you should try again with fresh yeast.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Once the yeast mixture is ready, add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
  4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a few drops of warm water.
  5. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter

  1. Melt the Butter: While the dough is rising, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  2. Add Fresh Herbs (Optional): If using fresh parsley or any other herbs, stir them into the garlic butter mixture.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

  1. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  2. Cut into Squares: Cut the dough into 12 equal squares using a sharp knife or a dough cutter.
  3. Arrange the Rolls: Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or a similar-sized pan. Stack the dough squares on top of each other, creating a “stacked” effect, and place them in the pan. It’s okay if they are snug; this will help them rise together into a soft, pull-apart formation.

Step 4: Bake the Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

  1. Brush with Garlic Butter: Pour half of the prepared garlic butter over the rolls, making sure they are well-coated. Let the rolls rise for another 20-30 minutes, covered with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the rolls are rising.
  3. Bake the Rolls: After the second rise, bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Final Touch: Once the rolls are baked, brush the remaining garlic butter over the top of the warm rolls. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

  1. Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving, or you can serve them warm right out of the oven. These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

How to Serve Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls can be served in a variety of ways, making them the perfect addition to any meal:

  • With Pasta: Serve alongside pasta dishes like spaghetti, lasagna, or fettuccine alfredo for a comforting, hearty meal.
  • As an Appetizer: These rolls are perfect for serving as an appetizer at parties or gatherings, especially with a side of marinara or ranch dipping sauce.
  • With Soups and Stews: Pair these rolls with creamy soups like tomato basil or a rich beef stew. Their fluffy texture is ideal for soaking up the delicious broths.
  • As a Side Dish: Serve them with roasted chicken, steak, or grilled vegetables to elevate your dinner spread.
  • With Cheese: If you’re a fan of cheese, you can even sprinkle some mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top of the rolls for extra cheesy goodness.

Additional Tips for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls turn out perfectly:

  • Don’t Overproof the Dough: While it’s important to let the dough rise, be careful not to let it rise too long, or the rolls may become too airy or collapse during baking.
  • Use Fresh Yeast: Always make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If the yeast doesn’t bubble after mixing with warm water, it’s no longer viable.
  • Brush with Butter Generously: For extra flavor, you can brush the rolls with garlic butter both before and after baking.
  • Keep the Rolls Soft: If the rolls are cooling too quickly and drying out, cover them with a clean kitchen towel to retain moisture.
  • Adjust Garlic to Taste: If you love garlic, feel free to add more minced garlic to the butter for a stronger flavor.

Recipe Variations for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

Get creative with these fun twists on the classic Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls:

  • Cheese-Stuffed Garlic Rolls: Add a piece of mozzarella cheese inside each roll before baking for a cheesy surprise.
  • Herb-Infused Rolls: Mix in herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil into the dough for an aromatic twist.
  • Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks: Roll the dough into long sticks and sprinkle with garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese for a garlic breadstick version.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Garlic Rolls: For a sweet and savory combo, brush the dough with cinnamon sugar before baking and drizzle with a sweet glaze after baking.
  • Spicy Garlic Rolls: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.

Freezing and Storage for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

  • Freezing: You can freeze the baked rolls for up to 3 months. After baking and cooling, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
  • Storage: Store the rolls at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh, you can reheat them in the oven to restore their softness.

Special Equipment for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Here are some useful tools you may need to make Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls:

  • 9×9-inch Baking Pan: A square pan is ideal for this recipe, helping the rolls bake evenly while staying soft and pull-apart.
  • Mixing Bowls: Use separate bowls for mixing the dry ingredients, wet ingredients, and garlic butter.
  • Kitchen Towel: A clean kitchen towel is great for covering the dough while it rises.
  • Pastry Brush: A pastry brush helps spread the garlic butter evenly over the rolls.
  • Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough evenly for cutting into squares.
Print

Garlic Pull Apart Rolls

  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 20minutes
  • Total Time: 2hours

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet)
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup whole milk, warm
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (for garlic butter), melted
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced (or more for extra flavor)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • A pinch of sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)

Ingredient Highlights for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

 

  • Active Dry Yeast: The yeast is what makes the rolls rise, giving them their soft, fluffy texture. Be sure the water is warm (not too hot) to activate the yeast.
  • Butter: Both in the dough and in the garlic butter topping, butter gives the rolls their richness and flavor.
  • Garlic: The minced garlic mixed into the melted butter creates that mouth-watering aroma and bold flavor that makes garlic pull-apart rolls so irresistible.
  • Egg & Milk: The egg enriches the dough, while the warm milk helps keep the rolls soft and tender.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. If the yeast doesn’t activate (doesn’t foam), it might be expired, and you should try again with fresh yeast.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Once the yeast mixture is ready, add the yeast mixture, egg, and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
  4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a few drops of warm water.
  5. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter

  1. Melt the Butter: While the dough is rising, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  2. Add Fresh Herbs (Optional): If using fresh parsley or any other herbs, stir them into the garlic butter mixture.

Step 3: Shape the Rolls

  1. Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and roll it into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
  2. Cut into Squares: Cut the dough into 12 equal squares using a sharp knife or a dough cutter.
  3. Arrange the Rolls: Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or a similar-sized pan. Stack the dough squares on top of each other, creating a “stacked” effect, and place them in the pan. It’s okay if they are snug; this will help them rise together into a soft, pull-apart formation.

Step 4: Bake the Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

  1. Brush with Garlic Butter: Pour half of the prepared garlic butter over the rolls, making sure they are well-coated. Let the rolls rise for another 20-30 minutes, covered with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the rolls are rising.
  3. Bake the Rolls: After the second rise, bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  4. Final Touch: Once the rolls are baked, brush the remaining garlic butter over the top of the warm rolls. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

 

  1. Cool and Serve: Let the rolls cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving, or you can serve them warm right out of the oven. These rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 220
  • Fat: 7g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Protein: 4g

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FAQ Section for Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls

  1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour? Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for a healthier version, but the rolls may be denser.
  2. Can I make these rolls ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough the day before and refrigerate it overnight for a slower rise, then bake them the next day.
  3. Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic? Yes, you can use garlic powder for a milder garlic flavor. Use about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for the garlic butter.
  4. How can I make these rolls dairy-free? To make them dairy-free, substitute the butter with a dairy-free butter alternative, and use non-dairy milk like almond milk.
  5. Can I make these rolls without yeast? While these rolls rely on yeast for their rise, you could experiment with baking powder to create a quicker version, but the texture will differ.

Conclusion of Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls Recipe

Garlic Pull-Apart Rolls are a savory, flavorful, and fun addition to any meal. With their soft, pillowy texture and aromatic garlic butter coating, they’ll quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to enjoy a comforting treat with your family, these rolls are sure to impress. Easy to make and utterly delicious, they’ll leave everyone coming back for more. Enjoy your homemade garlic pull-apart rolls today!