I like side dishes that make a meal feel extra special, and these soft Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls do exactly that. They’re warm, fluffy, buttery, and filled with the delicious smell of fresh-baked bread and garlic. They taste amazing with almost anything — soups, pasta, casseroles, or holiday dinners.

I have made these rolls many times for family gatherings, and they always disappear fast. I use a simple dough that’s easy to handle even for beginners, and always brush them with homemade garlic butter as soon as they come out of the oven. The melted butter seeps into every soft layer, making them impossible to resist.

You can serve them with dinner, use them for mini sandwiches, or also enjoy them warm with a bit of honey or jam for a cozy snack. They’re soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and smell like heaven.

It’s Perfect For:

• Weeknight dinners with family
• Holiday meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas
• Sunday brunch or potlucks
• Serving with soups or pasta
• Homemade slider buns or sandwiches

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or dough hook mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
• 9×13-inch baking dish or round pan
• Pastry brush for butter
• Small saucepan for garlic butter

Ingredients

For the Rolls:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• Pinch of salt

How to make Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Step 1

Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is alive and will help your rolls rise perfectly.

Step 2

Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt together. Add the egg, softened butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or use a dough hook on low speed until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 6–8 minutes until it feels smooth, stretchy, and soft.

Step 3

Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. If your kitchen is cool, you can place it near the oven or inside with just the light on — that’s the perfect cozy environment for rising.

Step 4

Shape the rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces using a knife or a dough cutter. Roll each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges under. Arrange them in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one. Cover again and let them rise for 25–30 minutes until puffy.

Step 5

Bake the rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 18–20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. The smell at this point is amazing — buttery and comforting.

Step 6

Make the garlic butter: While the rolls are baking, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn). Stir in parsley and a pinch of salt.

Step 7

Brush and serve: When the rolls come out of the oven, brush them right away with the warm garlic butter. The butter will melt into the bread, making it shiny and flavorful. Serve warm and soft — perfect alongside any meal.

Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

• Use warm, not hot, milk. The milk should feel warm to the touch, not hot. Too much heat can kill the yeast, and your rolls won’t rise.
• Knead until smooth. A soft, elastic dough gives the best fluffy rolls. If it feels sticky, add a spoon of flour at a time while kneading.
• Don’t rush the rise. Letting the dough rise fully gives the rolls that pillowy texture. It’s worth the wait!
• Use fresh yeast. If your yeast doesn’t foam in the warm milk, it’s expired — start over so your rolls don’t fall flat.
• Add cheese for fun. Mix shredded mozzarella or parmesan into the dough for cheesy garlic rolls.
• Brush twice. For the best flavor, brush once right after baking and again after 5 minutes. This makes them shiny, buttery, and extra tasty.

Calories and Nutrition

Each roll has around 160–180 calories, depending on how much butter you brush on top. They contain roughly 6g of fat, 25g of carbs, and 4g of protein per roll. If you make them smaller or use olive oil instead of butter, the calories will be even lower.

Serving Ideas for Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

I love serving these rolls straight from the oven at dinnertime. They’re soft, warm, and full of flavor — perfect for dipping into soups like creamy mushroom or tomato basil. They soak up all the delicious broth and make every bite comforting.

For holidays or big family dinners, I like to place them in a basket lined with a cloth napkin to keep them warm. Add a small bowl of extra garlic butter or herb butter on the side, and they’ll disappear fast.

These rolls also make amazing sandwich buns. Slice them in half and fill with leftover turkey, ham, or pulled chicken for easy lunch sliders. The buttery flavor pairs beautifully with savory fillings.

Are Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls Healthy?

These rolls are meant to be a comfort food, so they’re more indulgent than light. But since they’re homemade, you can make them healthier by controlling what goes in. Using less butter or replacing half the flour with whole wheat flour adds fiber without losing softness.

You can also brush them with olive oil instead of butter for a lighter version, or skip the second butter glaze to cut back on fat. They’re still soft, satisfying, and delicious even with small adjustments.

Variations and Substitutions

• Cheesy Garlic Rolls – Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella inside the dough for cheesy pockets in every bite.
• Herb Rolls – Mix dried Italian herbs or rosemary into the dough for an aromatic flavor.
• Parmesan Crust Rolls – Sprinkle grated parmesan on top before baking for a crisp, salty finish.
• Whole Wheat Rolls – Replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a heartier version.
• Honey Butter Rolls – Skip the garlic and use honey butter instead for a sweet, soft roll.
• Stuffed Rolls – Add small cubes of cheese or cooked bacon inside each dough ball before baking for a surprise filling.
• Vegan Garlic Rolls – Use plant-based butter and non-dairy milk; the texture stays just as soft and fluffy.
• Pull-Apart Garlic Bread – Arrange the rolls close together in a circular pan so they bake into a soft, pull-apart loaf.

How to Store

Storing these Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls is simple. Keep them in an airtight container or wrap them in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need them to last longer, refrigerate for up to 5 days and reheat before serving so they’re warm and soft again.

For longer storage, freeze baked rolls once cooled. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature and warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes before brushing with a little more butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! If using instant yeast, skip the proofing step and mix it directly into the flour. The rise time will be slightly shorter.

How do I keep the rolls soft after baking?
Brush them with butter as soon as they come out of the oven and cover with a clean towel while cooling. This traps steam and keeps it pillowy.

Can I add herbs or cheese?
Absolutely. Mix your favorite herbs, garlic powder, or shredded cheese right into the dough for extra flavor.

Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls

Recipe by ElizabethCourse: Sides, BreadCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

rolls

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

These Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and brushed with warm, melted butter infused with garlic and parsley.

Ingredients

• For the Rolls:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast

• ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)

• ¼ cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• For the Garlic Butter Topping:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)

• Pinch of salt

Directions

• Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is alive and will help your rolls rise perfectly.
• Make the dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt together. Add the egg, softened butter, and the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or use a dough hook on low speed until a sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 6–8 minutes until it feels smooth, stretchy, and soft.
• Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. If your kitchen is cool, you can place it near the oven or inside with just the light on — that’s the perfect cozy environment for rising.
• Shape the rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces using a knife or dough cutter. Roll each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the edges under. Arrange them in a greased baking dish, leaving a little space between each one. Cover again and let them rise for 25–30 minutes until puffy.
• Bake the rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 18–20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. The smell at this point is amazing — buttery and comforting.
• Make the garlic butter: While the rolls are baking, melt butter in a small pan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let it burn). Stir in parsley and a pinch of salt.
• Brush and serve: When the rolls come out of the oven, brush them right away with the warm garlic butter. The butter will melt into the bread, making them shiny and flavorful. Serve warm and soft — perfect alongside any meal.