Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

If you’re anything like me and can’t resist warm, fluffy bread slathered with butter, then this Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe is about to become your new best friend. I absolutely love how these rolls come together in just an hour—soft, pillowy, and bursting with savory garlic and fresh herbs. Whether it’s for a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive holiday spread, you’ll find that these rolls hit the perfect spot every single time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe brings together pantry staples with fresh herbs for that perfect aromatic pop. A quick note—instant potato flakes are a game changer here for softness, and rapid-rise yeast helps get you those rolls faster with a great rise!

• Butter: Using real butter adds richness; plus, you’ll use some in the dough and the rest makes a dreamy garlic butter glaze.
• Whole milk: I like it warm but not hot to help wake up the yeast gently without killing it.
• Water: Balances moisture—2% milk works just fine if that’s what you have.
• All-purpose flour: The base for the dough. Keep some extra handy for dusting and adjustments.
• Instant potato flakes: This is my secret ingredient for soft, tender rolls that don’t dry out.
• Rapid-rise yeast: Speeds up the rising process so you’re not waiting around all day.
• Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Salt: Balances flavors and helps with dough structure.
• Garlic powder: Provides gentle garlic flavor throughout the dough.
• Fresh rosemary: Adds a fragrant woody note; reduce if using dried to avoid overpowering.
• Fresh parsley: Gives a fresh, green herbiness; again, halve if dried.
• Egg: For richness and to help with the dough’s texture.
• Fresh garlic cloves: Used in the finishing butter for that punch of garlicky goodness.

Variations

Once you get the hang of this Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe, it’s fun to customize it to suit your mood or dietary preferences. I often tweak the herbs or swap butter variations, and honestly, it’s always a hit no matter what.

• Cheesy Herb Rolls: I added shredded parmesan or mozzarella into the dough once, and it was a deliciously cheesy twist everyone loved.
• Garlic-Free Version: For those calming evenings when garlic’s a no-go, swap garlic powder for onion powder and fresh parsley for thyme—still full of flavor!
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: I haven’t nailed this yet, but you can experiment using a gluten-free flour blend—just expect some adjustments in texture.
• Fresh Herb Swaps: Try basil or thyme instead of rosemary and parsley for an interesting flavor change.

How to Make Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up Your Butter, Milk, and Water

Start by combining 4 tablespoons of butter, milk, and water in a microwave-safe measuring cup and warming it gently. You want the mix warm to the touch—about 110-115ºF—to help your yeast come alive without risking ‘cooking’ it. If it’s too hot, just let it sit a bit; patience here pays off with a great rise.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients and Blend in Wet

In your electric mixer bowl, toss together 4 cups of flour, potato flakes, yeast, sugar, salt, garlic powder, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Set the mixer to ‘stir’ and slowly add your warm milk mixture and egg. Once combined, crank the speed to medium-low and let the dough knead for about 4-5 minutes. It should pull away from the bowl sides; if it sticks, sprinkle up to ½ cup more flour, adding gradually. This dough feels soft but not sticky—I love that balance.

Step 3: Rest, Roll, and Shape Your Rolls

After mixing, cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to a gentle 180ºF with a rack in the center, and prep a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Once rested, gently roll out the dough into a 15-inch circle on a floured surface. I use a pizza cutter dipped in flour to slice it into 12 or 16 equal pieces—you can eyeball it or weigh for precision. Then, fold the seams in and shape each piece into a smooth ball, placing them seam-side down into your baking dish.

Step 4: Proof Rolls in the Oven

Brush the tops with water so they don’t dry out, then turn off your oven and pop the dish inside for a 20-minute rise. This step is a little magic trick I learned; the warm, draft-free environment helps the dough puff up perfectly. Just don’t open the oven door early—as tempting as it is, it can interfere with the rising.

Step 5: Bake and Finish with Garlic Herb Butter

Take your risen rolls out and crank the oven up to 375ºF. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or a bit less if you made smaller rolls, until golden and delicious. While they bake, melt the remaining butter with garlic and parsley on the stove—this butter is what takes these rolls from tasty to unforgettable. Right after they come out, brush the warm rolls with that garlicky glow, sprinkle a pinch of salt, and prepare for compliments.

How to Serve Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle the rolls with a pinch of flaky sea salt right after brushing with garlic herb butter—it adds that little crunch and extra flavor I can’t resist. A few extra fresh chopped parsley leaves on top brighten the look and the bite as well.

Side Dishes

These garlic herb rolls go beautifully with hearty soups like tomato bisque, roasted chicken dinners, or even a classic beef stew. When my family gathers around the table, these rolls are the perfect companion to soak up those delicious juices.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the rolls in a circular pattern on a rustic wooden platter along with small bowls of compound butters—think herb, honey, or sundried tomato—butter blends. It looks stunning and everyone gets to customize their roll. I’ve also wrapped them in a warm cloth-lined basket to keep them cozy if serving buffet-style.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, I let the rolls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually last well for about 2 days, still soft and perfect for quick snacks or sandwiches.

Freezing

I freeze these rolls often! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw them overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a couple of hours.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the rolls in a 350ºF oven for about 8-10 minutes, warm and slightly crisp on the outside but still soft inside. You can brush a little extra garlic butter on top before warming to freshen them up if you want that extra garlic kick.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my heart—and on my family’s dinner table. There’s nothing like pulling warm rolls fresh from the oven, the aroma of garlic and herbs filling the kitchen, and seeing those smiles as everyone eagerly reaches for seconds. If you’re looking for a fail-proof way to bake soft, flavorful rolls that come together quickly, I can’t recommend this recipe enough. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

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