Dinner

Easy Homemade Garlic Knots Recipe

ByAiden Wells January 4, 2026January 4, 2026

Introduction

Garlic knots are a delicious, easy-to-make treat perfect for parties, snacks, or alongside your favorite pasta dish. These soft, buttery knots infused with garlic and herbs bring a comforting homemade touch to any meal.

A white bowl lined with a blue and white striped cloth holds several golden-brown garlic knots, each with a soft, slightly textured surface and sprinkled with white grated cheese and small green herb bits. The knots appear fluffy with a few layered twists creating a rounded shape. In the background, there is a small bowl filled with red marinara sauce. The setting is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1½ cups warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
3½ cups flour
1 tablespoon salt
½ cup butter
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast together. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Step 2: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until smooth, then cover and let the dough rise for 10 minutes. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes this step easier.
Step 3: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness. Cut the dough into strips roughly 8-10 inches long using a pizza cutter or knife.
Step 4: Roll each strip between your hands to form a rope, then tie it into a knot.
Step 5: Place the knots on a greased baking sheet and let them rise for another 10 minutes.
Step 6: Bake the knots in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: While baking, melt the butter and stir in garlic powder, minced parsley, and olive oil to create the garlic mixture.
Step 8: When the knots come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture before brushing it on the knots.
Use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a more intense garlic taste.
Swap parmesan with pecorino or mozzarella for a different cheesy twist.
Try brushing with herb-infused olive oil instead of butter for a lighter option.

Storage

Store garlic knots in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or warm briefly in the microwave. For longer storage, freeze baked knots in a sealed bag for up to 1 month and reheat from frozen.

How to Serve

A white bowl lined with a blue and white striped cloth holds several golden-brown knotted bread rolls, each topped with green parsley bits and grated white cheese, giving a textured look on their shiny crusts. To the side, a small brown bowl with red marinara sauce is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, active dry yeast works well. Just make sure to dissolve it in warm water with sugar and let it sit until foamy before mixing with flour.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, let it rise, then refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature and rise again before shaping into knots.