Why You’ll Love Vegan Garlic Dough Balls Recipe
If you love warm, pull‑apart bread with rich garlic butter and a savory dip, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor in every bite. It’s perfect for gatherings, cozy nights in, or anytime you want a plant‑based twist on classic garlic bread.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Dough:
500 g white bread flour
10 g fast action (instant) yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil
160 ml unsweetened non‑dairy milk (lukewarm)
160 ml lukewarm water
Cheese Dip:
75 g raw cashews
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 ½ teaspoons tapioca starch
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
160 ml water
Garlic Butter:
85 g vegan butter or spread
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 heaped teaspoon dried oregano
Directions
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In a large bowl or stand mixer, add the bread flour, yeast, salt, and sugar separately.
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Pour in olive oil, non‑dairy milk, and water; mix to form a rough dough.
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Knead by hand or mixer for about 5–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
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Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours until doubled.
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Punch down the dough, then divide it into small pieces (about 30 g each).
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Shape each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in two circles around a greased ramekin on a baking sheet.
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Cover and let the dough balls rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
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Preheat the oven to 210 °C (190 °C fan).
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Make garlic butter by gently melting vegan butter with crushed garlic, parsley, and oregano.
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For the cheese dip: blend soaked cashews with tapioca, garlic, salt, nutritional yeast, vinegar, and water until smooth, then heat in a pan until thickened.
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Pour the cheese dip into the prepared ramekin and brush most of the garlic butter over the dough balls.
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Bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Brush with remaining garlic butter and serve warm.
Servings and timing
Makes about 29 dough balls.
Prep time: approximately 45 minutes
Rising time: about 1 hour 40 minutes
Bake time: around 20 minutes
Variations
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Add chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the dough for extra flavor.
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Sprinkle the tops of the dough balls with vegan parmesan or sesame seeds before baking.
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Swap the cashew dip with your favorite vegan cream cheese or pesto.
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Add a pinch of chili flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover dough balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm them in the oven at low heat until heated through.
You can also freeze cooled dough balls — wrap them well and thaw before reheating.
FAQs
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough should roughly double in size and look puffy and airy. If you gently press it and the indentation remains, it’s ready.
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes — if using active dry yeast, you may need to dissolve it in lukewarm liquid with a pinch of sugar before adding it to the flour.
What can I serve with these dough balls?
They’re delicious with marinara sauce, hummus, or the included cashew cheese dip.
Can I make these gluten‑free?
This specific recipe uses wheat flour. You would need a specialized gluten‑free bread recipe as gluten‑free dough behaves differently.
Is there a substitute for tapioca starch in the cheese dip?
Tapioca helps with stretch and texture; cornstarch may work in a pinch but won’t be quite the same.
Can I reduce the garlic?
Yes — adjust the number of cloves in the garlic butter and dip to match your taste.
What kind of non‑dairy milk is best?
Soy milk works well because of its higher protein, but any unsweetened plant milk will work.
Can these dough balls be made ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight, then shape and bake the next day.
Why are my dough balls dense?
Under‑proofing or adding too much flour can make the dough dense. Ensure it rises fully and keep flour additions minimal.
Can I add herbs to the dough?
Yes — herbs like rosemary or thyme can be kneaded into the dough for extra flavor.
Conclusion
These vegan garlic dough balls are a crowd‑pleasing combination of soft, fluffy bread with rich garlic butter and a creamy cashew cheese dip. They’re perfect for sharing or savoring during a cozy meal and easy enough to make with everyday ingredients. Enjoy making and sharing this delicious plant‑based treat!
