Why You’ll Love Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls Recipe
• Ultra-soft, homemade dough that bakes up light and fluffy
• Rich roasted garlic butter adds deep flavor to every bite
• Generous amounts of melted cheese tucked inside each roll
• Great for sharing or serving at gatherings
• Can be prepped in advance and baked fresh when needed
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
all-purpose flour
bread flour
warm milk
active dry yeast
honey
granulated sugar
milk powder (optional)
unsalted butter (softened)
egg yolks
salt
For the Roasted Garlic Butter:
1 whole garlic head
olive oil
unsalted butter
fresh parsley
salt
For the Filling:
shredded mozzarella cheese
prepared garlic butter
For the Egg Wash:
1 egg
Directions
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Roast the garlic: Slice the top off a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and wrap in foil. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 30–35 minutes until soft and golden. Let cool, then squeeze out the cloves.
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Prepare garlic butter: Mix the roasted garlic with softened butter, finely chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
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Activate the yeast: Combine warm milk, honey, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix flours, sugar, milk powder, and salt. Add softened butter, egg yolks, and yeast mixture. Knead until smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a dough hook).
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First rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
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Shape the rolls: Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread a layer of garlic butter and sprinkle generously with mozzarella. Roll tightly into a log, then cut into 6–8 equal pieces.
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Second rise: Place rolls in a greased baking dish and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
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Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with egg wash. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
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Finish and serve: While still warm, brush with extra garlic butter and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Servings and timing
Servings: Makes 6–8 rolls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Proofing time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Total time: About 2.5 hours including rising
Variations
• Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, or gouda for a bolder flavor
• Add chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives to the dough or butter
• Make them spicy by adding crushed red pepper flakes to the filling
• Turn them into mini pull-apart rolls for party platters
• Swap honey for sugar in the yeast mixture if preferred
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or until heated through.
You can also microwave for 15–30 seconds, though the texture may be softer.
To freeze, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
How long can I store these rolls?
They keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Can I freeze them after baking?
Yes, let them cool completely, then wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.
What type of cheese works best?
Mozzarella is classic for its meltiness, but you can use cheddar, fontina, or even a mix.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. Let the dough rise once, punch it down, then refrigerate overnight before shaping.
What if I don’t have bread flour?
You can use all all-purpose flour, though the rolls may be slightly less chewy.
Can I skip roasting the garlic?
You can, but roasted garlic gives a sweeter, more mellow flavor. Raw garlic will be stronger and more pungent.
What’s the best way to reheat these?
The oven is best for keeping the texture, but a short microwave reheat works in a pinch.
Can I use pre-made dough?
Yes, you can use store-bought pizza or bread dough to save time, though homemade yields the best flavor.
Why is my dough sticky?
Sticky dough usually means it needs more kneading or slightly more flour. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
Can I make them vegan?
You can substitute plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and skip the egg wash. Use vegan cheese if desired.
Conclusion
These buttery cheese garlic rolls are everything you want in a savory baked treat — soft, cheesy, garlicky, and completely satisfying. Whether served as a side to dinner or enjoyed as a snack on their own, they’re guaranteed to impress with their bakery-style quality and homemade charm.
Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls
These Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with garlic butter and melty cheese—perfect as a side for any meal or a delicious snack on their own.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (for garlic butter)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
- Flatten each piece, add a spoonful of mozzarella cheese, then shape into a ball, sealing the cheese inside.
- Place rolls into a greased baking dish or cast iron skillet.
- Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic.
- Brush the garlic butter generously over the rolls.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use any melty cheese like cheddar or gouda instead of mozzarella.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven.
- For extra garlic flavor, double the garlic in the butter topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
