Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls Recipe
Introduction
These Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls are soft, buttery, and loaded with rich roasted garlic and melted cheese. Perfect for sharing at family dinners or as a comforting snack, they fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Let’s create this delicious homemade bread that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk, lightly warmed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and lightly cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 heads of garlic, tops cut off to expose the individual cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, preferably thick-cut
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Warm the milk to about 110°F, either by microwaving for 45-50 seconds or warming gently on the stove. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warmed milk, sugar, and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit undisturbed for 7-10 minutes until bubbly and fragrant if using active dry yeast. Skip this resting if using instant yeast.
- Step 2: Add melted butter, egg, egg yolk, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Add flour by tablespoon if too sticky. Alternatively, knead by hand for 10 minutes on a floured surface.
- Step 3: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased large bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours.
- Step 4: While the dough rises, roast the garlic. Preheat oven to 400°F. Remove outer skins from garlic heads, place cut side up on foil-lined dish, drizzle with olive oil, and cover loosely with foil. Roast 30-40 minutes until cloves are soft and golden. Cool, then squeeze cloves out and set aside.
- Step 5: Punch down the risen dough and roll it on a floured surface into a 13×8 inch rectangle.
- Step 6: Make garlic paste by pulsing roasted garlic cloves in a food processor. Spread softened butter over dough, leaving edges clear. Spread garlic paste, sprinkle chopped parsley, salt, and pepper evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella, gently pressing it into the mixture.
- Step 7: Roll the dough tightly from the longest side, seam down. Pinch edges to seal and trim ends if desired.
- Step 8: Cut the roll crosswise into 9 even pieces using a sharp knife or unscented floss.
- Step 9: Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Arrange rolls inside, cover with plastic wrap and towel, and let rise again in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until puffy.
- Step 10: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls uncovered for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 11: Prepare topping by mixing melted butter, chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
- Step 12: Brush the warm rolls with the topping immediately after baking. Garnish with extra parmesan if desired, serve warm, and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use instant yeast for a quicker start, skipping the activation step.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter topping.
- Substitute mozzarella with a blend of mozzarella and asiago for a sharper cheese taste.
- Try fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary along with parsley for variation.
- Wear disposable gloves when spreading butter and garlic paste to keep hands clean.
Storage
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave to restore softness. These rolls also freeze well—wrap individually and thaw before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough without a stand mixer?
Yes, you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
How do I know when the garlic is roasted enough?
The garlic cloves should be soft, golden brown, and easy to press with your fingers. If they’re firm or pale, roast a bit longer until tender.
PrintGarlic Butter Parmesan Rolls Recipe
These Garlic Butter Parmesan Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with a rich roasted garlic butter filling, fresh parsley, and melted mozzarella cheese, topped with a savory parmesan garlic butter glaze. Perfect as a comforting appetizer or side dish, these homemade rolls bring a delightful blend of buttery, cheesy, and garlicky flavors with a tender texture, made from scratch using a yeast-leavened dough and baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 rolls 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk, lightly warmed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and lightly cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Roasted Garlic Filling
- 4 heads of garlic, tops cut off to expose the individual cloves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, preferably thick-cut
Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1–2 teaspoons minced garlic
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Warm the milk to about 110°F by microwaving for 45-50 seconds or using another method. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the warmed milk with sugar and sprinkle active dry yeast on top. Let it sit undisturbed for 7-10 minutes until bubbly and fragrant. If using instant yeast, skip this resting step and proceed immediately.
- Make the Dough: Add melted butter, egg, egg yolk, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and knead on medium speed for 6-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and comes together. If sticky, add a tablespoon more flour as needed. Alternatively, knead by hand on a floured surface for 10 minutes.
- First Dough Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly greased large bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Peel off the papery outer layers of garlic bulbs, leaving the cloves intact in the bulb. Place bulbs cut side up in a foil-lined baking vessel, drizzle olive oil over them, tent with foil, and roast for 30-40 minutes until cloves are golden and tender. Let cool, then squeeze cloves out of their skins and set aside.
- Prepare the Dough Surface: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll dough into a 13 by 8-inch rectangle.
- Make Garlic Filling: Pulse roasted garlic cloves in a food processor or blender until a paste forms. Spread softened butter over the dough, leaving edges clear. Then spread the garlic paste evenly over the butter. Sprinkle chopped parsley, salt, and pepper over the paste, followed by an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. Gently pat the cheese into the mixture.
- Roll Dough: Roll the dough tightly from the longest side into a log with seam side down. Stretch the log slightly if needed, and pinch the seam to seal. Optionally, trim off the ends for uniform rolls.
- Cut Rolls: Using a sharp knife or unscented floss, cut the log crosswise into 9 equal pieces.
- Second Rise: Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Place the cut rolls in the dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and a towel, and let rise again for 1-2 hours until puffy.
- Bake Rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove covers and bake rolls for 30-35 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, and minced garlic. Stir until well mixed and set aside.
- Finish and Serve: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with the prepared garlic parmesan butter topping. Garnish with additional grated parmesan if desired. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Use disposable gloves when spreading garlic butter paste to avoid strong odors on your hands.
- If dough is sticky, add flour sparingly to keep rolls soft and tender.
- Roasting garlic mellows its flavor; don’t skip this step.
- You can prepare the garlic paste ahead to save time.
- For a crispier top, broil rolls for 1-2 minutes after brushing the topping, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and reheat wrapped in foil to maintain moisture.
Keywords: garlic rolls, parmesan rolls, garlic butter bread, cheesy garlic rolls, homemade bread, yeast rolls

