Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
square image of rolls in baking dish, close up, with stack of plates in corner
Print Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Dinner Rolls: Super Soft and From Scratch

Light and soft dinner rolls made from scratch, then brushed with melted butter and garlic, and finally topped with parmesan cheese.  
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
rising time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy garlic dinner rolls, garlic parmesan dinner rolls, soft garlic rolls
Servings: 24 rolls
Calories: 77kcal
Author: Katie

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ tablespoons softened butter
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons powdered milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast (SAF brand is best)

Topping:

  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1 crushed garlic clove
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Mix the dough. Combine all dough ingredients in a bowl or bread machine bucket and mix until well combined. There is no need to proof the yeast first; simply combine everything. After a few minutes of mixing, evaluate the consistency of the dough and add more flour or water, a tablespoon at a time, if needed.
    Ingredients for garlic parmesan dinner rolls in a stainless steel mixer bowl, with cubes of butter and dry ingredients before mixing.
  • Knead. Knead the dough by hand, stand mixer, or bread machine for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth, elastic, and stretchy.
    Dough for garlic parmesan dinner rolls in a stainless steel mixer bowl after being kneaded to a smooth and cohesive state.
  • First rise. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 60 minutes until doubled in bulk. If your kitchen is cool, briefly turn on your oven, then turn it off to create a warm rising environment.
    Before and after images showing the rise of garlic parmesan roll dough in a ceramic bowl, the dough doubled in size.
  • Divide and shape. Turn the dough out of the bowl or bread machine and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round roll by pinching the bottom to smooth out the top. Arrange in two round pie plates or other shallow baking dishes.
  • Second rise. Cover with greased plastic wrap and allow to rise until puffy, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F with the rack in the center toward the end of the rising time.
    Garlic parmesan roll dough balls shaped and arranged on pie plates before and after proofing, showing significant rise.
  • Make the topping. Combine melted butter, grated parmesan, and crushed garlic clove. Gently brush the mixture on top of the rolls.
    Ingredients for garlic parmesan roll topping, with melted butter and grated parmesan in separate bowls, before being applied to the dough
  • Bake. Bake for 16-19 minutes until golden brown. Remove and place the pie plate on a cooling rack. Serve directly from the pan or transfer to a serving dish.

Video

Notes

You can make the dough, let it rise, then refrigerate it. When you're ready to bake, take it out, let it warm up to room temperature, shape it, and continue with the baking process.
When applying the melted butter, garlic, and parmesan topping to the rolls, be gentle to avoid flattening them. It's best to use a soft pastry brush for this.
To shape the rolls with a smooth top, pull the sides down and under, then pinch them together at the bottom. This will create a smooth surface for a round roll.
For evenly sized rolls, start by dividing the dough in half, then divide each half into halves again, and continue until you have 24 pieces. This method is more precise than estimating the size of each piece.
You can mix Italian seasoning with the melted butter for added flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg