Garlic Parmesan Knots
These garlic parmesan knots are so easy and impressive to serve, you’ll want to make them with every Italian style meal. In fact, once you roll the dough into ropes and tie each one into a little knot, the hardest part is waiting for them to bake!
I was especially excited to make these because this recipe gave me my first chance to use freshly harvested garlic from our garden this year. After growing, harvesting, and curing our own garlic, using those beautiful cloves in a recipe like this felt like such a reward. Fresh garden garlic has such an incredible aroma, and once you mince it and warm it with butter, the entire kitchen smells amazing.
Best of all, you use simple ingredients and no special equipment. You can make the dough in a stand mixer, let it rise, shape the knots, and then finish them with a generous coating of garlic butter, parsley, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
So, if you love homemade bread and garlic, you are definitely going to want to try these!
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Parmesan Knots
First of all, homemade garlic knots taste so much better than anything you can buy at the store. The dough comes together with simple ingredients, while the garlic butter adds tons of flavor.
Additionally, these knots have a soft, tender center with a lightly golden exterior. Once they come out of the oven, you brush them generously with melted garlic butter. Then, you add fresh parmesan cheese for even more flavor.
You can make the dough without spending hours in the kitchen. The dough needs just 30 minutes for the first rise and another 30 minutes after shaping. So, you can have a batch of fresh garlic knots on the table without turning baking into an all-day project.
And honestly, the garlic butter is everyone’s favorite part.
Fresh garlic, butter, parsley, and parmesan create an incredible combination. The warm garlic flavor soaks into the freshly baked dough, while the parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish.
Fresh Garlic From the Garden
As soon as I harvested our garden garlic, I knew I wanted to use it in something where the garlic could really shine.
Because this recipe uses seven cloves of fresh garlic, you can actually taste the garlic instead of getting just a hint of it. Freshly harvested garlic also makes the garlic butter smell absolutely incredible as it warms.
Growing garlic takes some patience, so using the harvest in homemade recipes makes the work feel especially rewarding. You plant the cloves, watch them grow throughout the season, harvest the bulbs, and then finally get to cook with them.
For me, that makes these garlic parmesan knots a delicious way to enjoy something that came straight from the garden.
Is Garlic a Superfood?
Garlic has earned plenty of attention for its nutritional benefits, and for good reason. While the term “superfood” doesn’t have a strict scientific definition, garlic is certainly a nutrient-rich ingredient that can contribute to a balanced diet.
Garlic contains sulfur compounds, including allicin, which forms when fresh garlic gets chopped, crushed, or minced. Garlic also provides small amounts of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese.
Additionally, researchers have studied garlic for its antioxidant properties and its potential role in supporting cardiovascular health.
And when you grow your own garlic, you get the added satisfaction of bringing something from your garden straight to the dinner table.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Knots
1. Make the Dough
Start by adding the instant yeast, sugar, and warm water to the bowl of a stand mixer.
Then, add the olive oil, bread flour, and sea salt.
Using the dough hook, knead the dough for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. The dough should become smooth and elastic as you knead it.
If the dough still looks rough and shaggy after several minutes, keep kneading until it becomes smooth.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Once the dough reaches the right consistency, cover the bowl and let it rise at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Because this dough contains instant yeast, the rise doesn’t take very long.
While the dough rises, you can prepare your garlic butter ingredients. Mince the garlic, measure the parsley, and grate the parmesan so everything is ready when the knots come out of the oven.
3. Divide the Dough
After the first rise, punch the dough down and divide it into 30 equal-sized pieces.
Try to keep the pieces relatively similar in size. That way, the knots will bake at approximately the same rate.
Now comes the fun part.
4. Roll the Dough Into Ropes
Take each piece of dough and roll it between your hands or on your work surface until you create a rope about 10 inches long.
If you’ve ever rolled Play-Doh into a snake, you’ve already mastered this technique! And trust me, the kids love helping with this part!
Don’t worry about making every rope perfectly uniform. These are homemade garlic knots, so a little variation makes them look charming and homemade.
5. Tie the Knots
Form each dough rope into a circle.
Next, bring one end of the dough through the center, just like you would when tying a simple knot.
Place each finished knot onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Continue until you’ve shaped all 30 pieces of dough.
6. Let the Knots Rise Again
Cover the shaped knots and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400°F.
This second rise gives the dough another chance to puff up, which helps create soft and tender garlic knots.
7. Bake
Once the knots have finished their second rise, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the knots turn golden brown.
Keep an eye on them toward the end of the baking time because ovens can vary.
You want a beautiful golden color without letting the knots become overly dark.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter
While the knots bake, make the topping.
Add the butter and minced garlic to a small bowl and microwave until the butter melts. Then, stir in the dried parsley.
Once the garlic knots come out of the oven, transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack.
Immediately brush the warm knots generously with the garlic butter.
Don’t skimp here!
The warm bread absorbs that buttery garlic flavor beautifully.
Finally, generously sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese over the tops. Add a small pinch of sea salt if desired.
The result is soft, buttery bread covered in garlic, herbs, and parmesan.
What could be better?
Tips for Making the Best Garlic Knots
Use fresh garlic whenever possible. Freshly minced garlic provides a much stronger and brighter flavor than pre-minced garlic.
Grate your own Parmesan. Freshly grated parmesan melts and clings to the warm butter much better than many pre-shredded varieties.
Don’t rush the dough. Even though these garlic knots have relatively short rise times, give the dough the full amount of time to rest and rise.
Keep the dough pieces similar in size. Consistent pieces help the knots bake evenly.
Brush them while they’re hot. The warm knots absorb the garlic butter much better than cooled bread.
Serve them warm. While these knots remain delicious after they cool, they are especially good straight from the oven.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Knots
These homemade garlic knots make a fantastic side dish for so many meals.
These are our favorite with spaghetti and meatballs, homemade lasagna, baked ziti, or your favorite pasta dish. They also taste fantastic with tomato soup or a hearty vegetable soup.
Furthermore, you can serve them alongside pizza for a homemade pizza party night.
They also make a fun addition to a family dinner when you want to put something homemade on the table without making an elaborate side dish.
And because this recipe makes 30 garlic knots, you have plenty to share!
But don’t be surprised if the first batch disappears faster than expected!
Can You Make Garlic Knots Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for a slower rise. However, because this recipe comes together fairly quickly, I usually prefer making the knots the same day.
You can also bake the knots ahead of time and reheat them before serving. Brush them with additional garlic butter after warming them to bring back some of that fresh-baked flavor.
Can You Freeze Garlic Parmesan Knots?
Absolutely. Once the baked knots have cooled completely, place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready to serve them, thaw and warm them in the oven.
For the best flavor, add a fresh coating of garlic butter and parmesan after reheating. That extra step helps bring back the buttery garlic flavor that makes these knots so delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes. Active dry yeast can work in this recipe, although it may require a slightly different preparation. If your package directions recommend dissolving the yeast in warm water first, follow those instructions before proceeding with the recipe.
How many garlic cloves do I need?
This recipe uses 7 cloves of garlic for the garlic butter. If your garlic cloves are particularly large, you can adjust the amount slightly according to your taste.
Can I use fresh parsley instead of dried parsley?
Absolutely. Fresh parsley will work beautifully in the garlic butter. Since dried parsley has a more concentrated flavor, you may need to adjust the amount when substituting fresh parsley.
Why did my garlic knots turn out dense?
Dense garlic knots can result from under-kneading, insufficient rising time, or adding too much flour. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, and allow it to complete both 30-minute rises.
Can I make smaller garlic knots?
Yes. You can divide the dough into smaller portions if you want bite-sized knots. Just keep in mind that smaller knots may require less baking time, so watch them closely as they bake.
What kind of Parmesan should I use?
Freshly grated parmesan works best. It provides a wonderful salty, nutty flavor and sticks nicely to the garlic butter.
What is the best way to store leftover garlic knots?
Store cooled garlic knots in an airtight container at room temperature for short-term storage. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container.
Can I serve these garlic knots with marinara sauce?
Definitely. Warm garlic parmesan knots with marinara sauce make an excellent appetizer or side dish. The knots are perfect for dipping into homemade tomato sauce.
Homemade Garlic Parmesan Knots Are Worth Making
These easy homemade garlic parmesan knots are a simple way to make delicious bread at home.
The dough uses pantry staples, while the garlic butter transforms the finished knots into something special. Moreover, the fresh parmesan adds just the right amount of salty, savory flavor.
For me, though, the best part was using the first garlic harvested from our garden. Growing food at home makes cooking a little more meaningful, and recipes like this give me an excuse to celebrate a great harvest.
So, grab your flour, warm up the yeast, and mince that garlic.
Then roll those little ropes, tie some knots, and get them into the oven.
Once the smell of warm bread and garlic fills your kitchen, you’ll understand why I was so excited about this recipe.
And when you pull that first golden-brown knot apart and see the soft center underneath all that garlic butter and parmesan, don’t be surprised if you immediately reach for another one.
These garlic parmesan knots are easy, flavorful, homemade, and absolutely delicious. Most importantly, they give you another delicious reason to bake something from scratch.
See More Easy Bread Recipes
Breadsticks
Artisan Bread
Garlic Knots
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Ingredients
- 1½ tbsp Instant yeast
- 3 tbsp Sugar
- 2¼ cups Water (warm)
- 1 tbsp Sea salt
- 1/2 cup Olive oil
- 5½ cups Bread flour
Garlic Parm
- 3/4 cup Butter
- 7 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 2 tsp Parsley, dried
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Sea salt
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, combine yeast, sugar, and water.
- Add the olive oil, bread flour and sea salt.
- Using the dough hook, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, or smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and allow to rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Punch down the dough and separate into 30 equal sized pieces.
- Roll the dough pieces into a ball then roll it onto the counter to make them 10 inches long. (think about how you would roll playdoh to make playdoh snakes)
- Form a circle with the dough and bring one end through like you would be tying it in a knot. Place the dough knot on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and continue with the remaining knots.
- Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Bake the knots for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a small bowl, microwave the butter and minced garlic until the butter is melted. Add the parsley to the bowl.
- Remove the sheet pans from the oven to a cooling rack.
- Generously brush the garlic butter onto each of the knots.
- Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt onto each of the knots.
- Generously sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
