If you love soft, fluffy, and buttery garlic knots, then making them at home is a must! These irresistible bread knots are brushed with garlic butter, baked to golden perfection, and sprinkled with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, a side for pasta, or a game-day snack, this homemade garlic knots recipe delivers the perfect balance of chewy, airy dough and garlicky goodness. Plus, they’re easy to make and customizable, from cheesy garlic knots to spicy variations!

So, let’s dive into how to make great garlic knots at home, plus pro tips to get that pizzeria-quality texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re a fan of soft, fluffy bread with a rich garlic aroma, then these homemade garlic knots will quickly become a favorite! Whether you’re making them for a casual family dinner, a holiday gathering, or pizza night, these buttery, golden knots are sure to impress. Here’s why they stand out:

1. Fluffy & Buttery – The Perfect Texture

Great garlic knots strike the perfect balance between crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. The buttery garlic glaze seeps into every twist, making each bite irresistibly flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

💡 Pro Tip: Brushing the knots with garlic butter right after baking locks in moisture and enhances the flavor!

2. Easy to Make – Perfect for Beginners

Don’t be intimidated by making homemade dough, this step-by-step recipe is designed to be simple and foolproof. Even if you’ve never made bread before, you’ll be able to create bakery-quality garlic knots with ease.

💡 Pro Tip: Kneading the dough for just the right amount of time ensures it’s elastic and easy to shape!

3. Better Than Takeout – Fresh & Flavorful

Why settle for store-bought garlic knots when you can make fresh, warm, and ultra-garlicky knots at home? Unlike takeout versions that may be overly greasy or lacking real garlic flavor, these homemade garlic knots are made from scratch with quality ingredients.

💡 Pro Tip: Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more robust, authentic flavor!

4. Customizable – Endless Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can tailor it to your taste. Whether you love extra cheese, a spicy kick, or an herby twist, there’s a garlic knot variation for you!

• Herb-Infused Garlic Knots – Add basil, oregano, or rosemary.
• Cheesy Garlic Knots – Stuff with mozzarella or sprinkle with Parmesan.
• Spicy Garlic Knots – Mix in red pepper flakes or chili powder.
• Vegan Garlic Knots – Use olive oil instead of butter.

💡 Pro Tip: Try different toppings like sesame seeds or poppy seeds for added crunch!

5. The Perfect Side Dish – Complements Any Meal

Garlic knots are incredibly versatile! They pair beautifully with classic Italian dishes, soups, and even as an appetizer for game night.

🍝 With Pasta – The ultimate side for spaghetti, lasagna, or fettuccine Alfredo.
🍕 With Pizza – A pizzeria-style experience at home.
🥣 With Soup – Perfect for dipping into tomato soup or minestrone.
🥗 With Salad – A great addition to a fresh Caesar or Caprese salad.

💡 Pro Tip: Serve with extra marinara sauce or garlic butter for dipping!

Ingredients for the Best Garlic Knots

Dough Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra chewiness)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar (feeds the yeast)
• ¾ cup warm water (around 110°F)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Garlic Butter Coating

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup grated parmesan (optional, for cheesy flavor)

💡 Pro Tip: Using bread flour creates chewier garlic knots, while all-purpose flour makes them softer!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

• In a bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
• Add flour, salt, and olive oil, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
• Cover and let it rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.

2. Shape the Garlic Knots

• Roll the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into 12 equal strips.
• Take each strip, roll it into a rope, and tie it into a knot.
• Place knots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.

3. Bake to Perfection

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Brush knots with olive oil and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

4. Make the Garlic Butter

• While knots bake, melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant.
• Stir in parsley, oregano, and salt.
• Once knots are baked, brush generously with garlic butter and sprinkle with parmesan.

Best Variations of Garlic Knots

🔥 Spicy Garlic Knots – Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
🧀 Cheesy Garlic Knots – Stuff with mozzarella before baking.
🌱 Vegan Garlic Knots – Replace butter with olive oil.
🥨 Pretzel-Style Garlic Knots – Brush with baking soda water before baking.
🍕 Pizza Garlic Knots – Top with pepperoni & marinara sauce.

💡 Pro Tip: Experiment with different herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary for a unique twist!

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Even though garlic knots are easy to make, a few simple mistakes can lead to dense, dry, or flavorless results. Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues and achieve perfectly fluffy, golden garlic knots every time!

1. Dough Too Dense? → Not Kneaded Enough or Proofed Properly

Why It Happens:

• The dough wasn’t kneaded long enough, preventing gluten from developing properly.
• The yeast wasn’t activated correctly or was expired.
• The dough didn’t rise enough, leading to tough, heavy knots instead of light, airy ones.

How to Fix It:

• Knead for at least 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Check yeast freshness: If it doesn’t foam when mixed with warm water and sugar, it’s dead.
• Allow the dough to proof in a warm place until doubled in size, this usually takes 60-90 minutes.

💡 Pro Tip: If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (turned off) to help it rise!

2. Knots Unraveling? → Make Sure the Ends Are Tucked Securely

Why It Happens:

• The dough wasn’t rolled tightly enough before shaping.
• The ends of the knots weren’t tucked properly, causing them to loosen during baking.

How to Fix It:

• When rolling each dough strip into a rope, apply slight tension to keep it firm.
• After tying the knot, gently press the ends underneath the dough ball to keep it secure.
• Let the shaped knots rest for 10-15 minutes before baking so they hold their shape better.

💡 Pro Tip: Chilling the shaped knots in the fridge for 10 minutes before baking can help them hold their shape!

3. Not Fluffy Enough? → Check Yeast Freshness & Proof Longer

Why It Happens:

• The yeast wasn’t active, preventing the dough from rising properly.
• The dough was under-proofed, meaning it didn’t have enough time to develop air pockets.
• The oven temperature was too low, resulting in flat or dense knots.

How to Fix It:

• Always test yeast before using it – mix it with warm water and sugar to see if it foams.
• Give the dough enough time to proof – don’t rush the process!
• Ensure your oven is properly preheated to at least 375°F (190°C) before baking.

💡 Pro Tip: If you press the dough with your finger and it slowly springs back, it’s ready to bake. If it bounces back too quickly, proof longer!

4. Garlic Flavor Too Strong? → Sauté Garlic Before Brushing

Why It Happens:

• Raw garlic has a sharp, overpowering bite when not cooked properly.
• The garlic butter wasn’t mixed well, causing some bites to be too strong.

How to Fix It:

• Sauté minced garlic in butter for 1-2 minutes before brushing it onto the knots.
• If using garlic powder, use it sparingly to avoid bitterness.
• Mix the garlic butter well so the flavor distributes evenly.

💡 Pro Tip: For a milder garlic flavor, roast whole garlic cloves and mash them into the butter!

What to Serve with Garlic Knots

🍝 Pasta Dishes – Pair with Spaghetti Marinara or Alfredo.
🍕 Pizza Night – Serve as a delicious side appetizer.
🥗 Fresh Salad – Balance the richness with a crisp Italian salad.
🥣 Dipping Sauces – Marinara, ranch, or garlic butter.

💡 Pro Tip: Dip garlic knots in warm marinara for the ultimate pizzeria experience!

FAQs About Garlic Knots

❓ Can I make garlic knots without yeast? (Yes! Use baking powder for a quick dough.)
❓ Can I freeze garlic knots? (Yes! Freeze before baking for meal prep.)
❓ How do I keep them from getting soggy? (Let them cool on a wire rack before storing.)
❓ Can I make them gluten-free? (Yes! Use gluten-free flour and xanthan gum.)

Final Thoughts: The Best Homemade Garlic Knots

Now that you know how to make the best garlic knots at home, it’s time to get baking! Whether you keep it classic, make them extra cheesy, or add spice, these homemade garlic knots are guaranteed to impress.

💡 Pro Tip: Serve fresh out of the oven with a little extra garlic butter for the most indulgent flavor!

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