Ultimate Homemade Garlic Knots: Soft, Buttery, and Irresistible

Prepare to fall in love with these extraordinary homemade garlic knots! Imagine soft, pillowy bread infused with rich garlic butter, perfectly seasoned, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan and fragrant parsley. These aren’t just any side dish; they’re an experience. They make the perfect appetizer for your next pizza night, a comforting accompaniment to a bowl of tomato basil soup, or a standalone snack that’s utterly addictive. So easy to prepare, these buttery garlic knots will quickly become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

Seriously, these garlic knots are an absolute game-changer. Each bite offers a delightful contrast: a tender, airy interior encased in a golden, slightly crisp crust. What truly sets them apart is the generous brushing of melted butter, meticulously infused with fragrant minced garlic and bright, fresh parsley. The aroma alone is enough to get your mouth watering, hinting at the incredible flavor that awaits.

Crafting the perfect garlic knot has been a labor of love, a journey through countless batches to ensure every detail is just right. From experimenting with the ideal dough consistency to perfecting the garlic butter blend, no stone was left unturned. To elevate the flavor profile even further, a subtle hint of garlic powder and Italian seasoning is incorporated directly into the pizza dough itself, ensuring every part of the knot is bursting with savory goodness. While this recipe guides you through making the dough from scratch, you can absolutely use high-quality store-bought or homemade pizza dough if you’re short on time. For those seeking an extra touch of gourmet sophistication, take inspiration from my garlic bread recipe and swirl a splash of truffle oil into the melted butter – it adds an unparalleled depth of earthy aroma and flavor. These irresistible knots are best served warm, ideally alongside my highly acclaimed homemade pizza sauce, a must-try for any pizza enthusiast. Alternatively, a store-bought or slow cooker marinara sauce works beautifully too.

Essential Ingredients for the Best Garlic Knots

Creating truly exceptional garlic knots starts with understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why it’s crucial for achieving that perfect pizzeria-style texture and flavor:

• Bread Flour: This is a key player in achieving the desired texture. Bread flour boasts a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which is vital for developing more gluten. Gluten is the elastic protein network responsible for the chewiness and structure of bread. The high gluten content in bread flour helps create a garlic knot with a wonderfully crispy, crunchy outer crust while maintaining that soft, tender, and chewy center we all love. It’s the same principle I apply when making my Detroit-style pizza or no-knead bread. If you only have all-purpose flour on hand, you can still use it, but you might need to add an extra 1-2 tablespoons to reach the right dough consistency. The final texture may be slightly less chewy.
• Instant Yeast: The hero of rising dough! Instant yeast is incredibly convenient because it doesn’t require prior activation. This means you can mix it directly with your dry ingredients, significantly cutting down on prep time. If you have active dry yeast, you can certainly use it instead. Just remember to activate it first by dissolving it in the warm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes visibly foamy; this indicates the yeast is alive and active, ready to be added to your dough mixture.
• Kosher Salt: More than just a seasoning, kosher salt plays a crucial role in dough development. It enhances the flavor of the flour, making the garlic knots taste delicious on their own, and it also helps regulate the yeast’s activity, preventing the dough from rising too rapidly and allowing for a more controlled, flavorful proof.
• Sugar: A little sweetness goes a long way. Sugar acts as food for the yeast, helping it activate and thrive, which in turn ensures a good rise for your garlic knots. Additionally, sugar aids in the Maillard reaction during baking, contributing to the beautiful golden-brown color and slightly crisp texture of the crust.
• Seasonings (Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning): These ingredients are incorporated directly into the dough itself, adding an extra layer of savory flavor. By using garlic powder in the dough and fresh garlic in the butter, you achieve a more pronounced and complex garlic flavor throughout the entire knot. The Italian seasoning adds an aromatic herbaceous note to the dough, complementing the garlic and giving it that authentic pizzeria aroma. We’ll also use Italian seasoning in the melted garlic butter for a cohesive flavor profile.
• Milk Powder: This is my secret ingredient for achieving that elusive pizzeria-style flavor, texture, and tenderness in homemade baked goods. While optional, incorporating milk powder results in an incredibly soft crumb and a subtle richness that makes these knots truly special. It adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to pinpoint but undeniably elevates the final product. If you can’t find it locally, you can easily purchase it online here.
• Warm Water: Crucial for activating the yeast and bringing the dough together. The ideal temperature is around 105-115°F (40-46°C). Water that’s too cold won’t activate the yeast efficiently, leading to a slow or no rise, while water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, preventing any rise at all.
• Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons of good quality olive oil enrich the dough, contributing to its tenderness, elasticity, and overall flavor. It also helps prevent the dough from sticking and gives it a beautiful sheen.
• Butter: The foundation of our luxurious garlic butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe; just adjust the amount of added salt to your preference. High-quality butter will make a noticeable difference in flavor.
• Fresh Garlic Cloves: For the ultimate garlic flavor in the butter, fresh garlic is non-negotiable. Minced or pressed garlic cloves are infused into the melted butter, ensuring you get flavorful bits throughout the garlic knots. Using fresh garlic provides a pungent, aromatic kick that garlic powder alone cannot replicate.
• Fresh Parsley: A vibrant addition that not only brightens the flavor but also adds a pop of color, making the garlic knots even more visually appealing. Remember, we eat with our eyes first!
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled generously over the warm, butter-brushed knots. Its salty, umami-rich flavor melts slightly, creating an irresistible cheesy crust that perfectly complements the garlic and herbs.

How to Make the Best Homemade Garlic Knots: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly soft, buttery, and flavorful garlic knots from scratch. Even if you’re new to baking bread, this recipe is designed for success!

1. Prepare the Dough: Begin by combining all the dry ingredients for the dough in the bowl of your stand mixer. This includes the bread flour, instant yeast, kosher salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and milk powder (if using). Use the dough hook attachment and run the mixer for a minute or two to ensure they are well combined. Next, create a small well in the center of the dry mixture and pour in the warm water and olive oil. Start the mixer on a low speed to slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing until the flour is fully moistened, which should take about 2 minutes. Once combined, increase the mixer speed to medium-high and knead the dough for a good 10-12 minutes. This extended kneading time is crucial for developing the gluten, which gives the garlic knots their signature chewy texture. You’ll know it’s ready when the dough pulls away cleanly from the sides of the mixer and feels soft, elastic, and not sticky to the touch.
2. Let the Dough Rise (Proofing): Once the dough is perfectly kneaded, remove it from the mixer bowl. Lightly spray a large clean bowl with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the dough ball into the prepared bowl, turning it once to coat lightly in the oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean, damp kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place until it has doubled in size. This typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. For faster proofing, you can use the “proof” setting in some ovens. Alternatively, I sometimes heat my clothes dryer for a few minutes, turn it off, and then place the covered bowl inside; the residual warmth creates an ideal environment for a quicker rise.
3. Shape the Knots: While the dough is proofing for its final rest, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, divide the dough into 18 equal pieces. For best results, try to make them as uniform in size as possible for even baking. Take one piece of dough and roll it into a thin rope, approximately 6 inches long. Carefully tie the rope into a simple knot, bringing one end over and through the loop. Then, tuck the ends neatly underneath the body of the knot to create a clean, classic shape. Repeat this process with the remaining dough pieces.
4. Bake the Knots: Arrange the shaped garlic knots on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1½ inches of space between each one to allow for expansion during baking. Cover the tray loosely with plastic wrap (which you can lightly spray with oil to prevent sticking) or a lightly damp kitchen towel, and let the knots rest for an additional 30 minutes. This second proofing allows them to puff up slightly, resulting in an even lighter and softer texture. After resting, bake the knots in the preheated oven for 11-14 minutes, or until their tops are beautifully golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
5. Make Garlic Butter and Brush: While the garlic knots are baking, prepare the irresistible garlic butter. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once fully melted, add the minced fresh garlic and the ¼ teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook gently for about 30 seconds, just long enough for the garlic to become fragrant and slightly softened, but be careful not to brown or burn it. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the fresh minced parsley and a small pinch of salt. As soon as the garlic knots emerge hot from the oven, immediately brush them generously with the prepared melted garlic butter mixture. The hot bread will eagerly absorb the butter, infusing every nook and cranny with glorious garlicky flavor. Finally, sprinkle them generously with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve them warm with your favorite pizza sauce or marinara for dipping!

Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Garlic Knots

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