You know that moment when you need a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer, and you realize you forgot to plan ahead? That’s exactly where I was the first time I whipped up these easy garlic knots for a last-minute game night. I grabbed a tube of pizza dough from the fridge, twisted it into knots, and drenched them in garlic butter—boom, instant hero. The smell alone had everyone hovering around the kitchen, and they disappeared faster than I could refill the plate. These knots are my go-to now—soft, buttery, and packed with garlic flavor, with barely any effort. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll keep pizza dough in your fridge just for this.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Garlic Knots
Listen, I’m not exaggerating when I say these garlic knots are life-changing—or at least party-changing! Here’s why they’ve become my secret weapon:
- Crazy quick: From fridge to table in 25 minutes flat. Perfect for those “oops, guests are coming” moments.
- Minimal ingredients: Just pizza dough and pantry staples transform into something magical.
- That garlic smell: Nothing makes a house smell more inviting than garlic butter bubbling on warm bread.
- Endlessly versatile: Game day? Check. Pasta night? Absolutely. Impromptu wine party? You bet.
- Kid-approved: My picky nephew calls them “garlic candy” and always begs for seconds.
The best part? Everyone thinks you slaved over homemade dough when really, you just worked some simple kitchen magic.
Ingredients for Easy Garlic Knots
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these foolproof garlic knots. The beauty is in the simplicity—most of these ingredients are probably already in your kitchen right now!
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated pizza dough – That magical shortcut I always keep on hand. The pre-made stuff works perfectly here.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted – Trust me, splurge on the good butter. It makes all the difference when it’s the star flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is non-negotiable here. That jarred stuff just won’t give you the same punch.
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped – Adds that pop of color and freshness. Dried works in a pinch, but fresh is best.
- 1/4 tsp salt – Just enough to make all the flavors sing.
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder – Doubling down on garlic flavor? Yes please!
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese – The salty, nutty finish that takes these over the top.
See? Nothing fancy—just simple ingredients working together to create something amazing. Now let’s get those hands messy!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry – you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these garlic knots! Here’s the short list of kitchen tools that’ll make this a breeze:
- Baking sheet – A regular old sheet pan does the trick. No need to grease it – the butter coating takes care of that!
- Mixing bowl – Just something small for whipping up that garlic butter magic.
- Pastry brush – My trusty silicone one gets that garlic butter evenly distributed.
- Chef’s knife – For mincing that fresh garlic (and maybe sneaking a taste).
That’s it! Now let’s get those knots twisted and buttered.
How to Make Easy Garlic Knots
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning that tube of dough into golden, garlicky perfection! Follow these steps and you’ll have restaurant-worthy knots in no time.
Preparing the Dough
First, pop open that can of pizza dough – that satisfying “whoosh” never gets old! Lightly flour your counter and roll the dough out into a rough rectangle about 12 inches long. Don’t stress about perfection here – rustic is charming!
Now grab a pizza cutter or sharp knife and slice the dough into 12 strips, about 1-inch wide each. Here’s my trick: imagine you’re cutting ribbons for a present – nice even strips that’ll twist beautifully.
Take each strip and gently tie it into a loose knot – don’t pull too tight or they’ll unravel while baking. Place them about an inch apart on your baking sheet. See? Already looking like something fancy from a bakery!
Baking the Easy Garlic Knots
Slide those beauties into a 375°F oven (yes, preheated – that part’s important!) and set your timer for 12 minutes. Peek at them around 10 minutes – you want them golden brown with slightly crisp edges.
The smell will drive you crazy – that’s how you know they’re almost done! When they’re puffed up and lightly browned, pull them out and let them cool just slightly – about 2 minutes. This helps them soak up all that garlic butter without getting soggy.
Adding the Garlic Butter
While the knots bake, melt your butter and stir in the minced garlic, parsley, salt and garlic powder. Pro tip: let this mixture sit for 5 minutes so the garlic infuses into the butter – flavor explosion!
Now grab that pastry brush and generously coat each warm knot with the garlic butter. Don’t be shy – this is where the magic happens! Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese while they’re still warm so it sticks.
Warning: these disappear FAST, so grab one for yourself before serving!
Tips for Perfect Easy Garlic Knots
After making these garlic knots more times than I can count (okay fine, I keep count – it’s a lot!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:
- Fresh is best: That jarred minced garlic just doesn’t compare to freshly chopped cloves. The flavor difference is night and day!
- Watch the clock: Set a timer! Overbaked knots turn into little hockey pucks. You want them golden, not brown.
- Butter timing: Wait just 2 minutes after baking before brushing – warm enough to absorb, cool enough to stay crisp.
- Garlic infusion: Let your butter-garlic mix sit for 5 minutes before brushing. The flavors develop beautifully.
- Serve immediately: These shine when fresh and warm. If they must wait, reheat briefly before serving.
Follow these and you’ll have garlic knots that’ll make your guests think you trained in Italy!
Variations for Easy Garlic Knots
The beauty of these garlic knots is how easily you can mix them up! Try swapping Parmesan for Romano cheese – it’s sharper and saltier. Fresh rosemary or thyme instead of parsley gives a woodsy twist. Feeling fancy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter for some heat. My neighbor swears by sprinkling everything bagel seasoning on top – and honestly? She’s onto something!
Serving Suggestions for Easy Garlic Knots
Oh, the possibilities! These garlic knots are superstars beside a bowl of warm marinara for dipping – my crew fights over the last one every time. They’re also perfect for dunking in creamy tomato soup or served alongside a big pasta dinner. My secret? Toss a few in the bread basket at your next Italian feast and watch them vanish!
Storing and Reheating Easy Garlic Knots
Okay, confession time – these rarely last long enough to store at my house! But if you’ve got leftovers (lucky you), pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To revive that just-baked magic, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes – they’ll come back to life with that perfect crisp exterior and soft center. Microwaving works in a pinch, but they’ll lose some texture. Pro tip: brush with a little extra garlic butter before reheating for maximum deliciousness!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in these tasty garlic knots – but remember, these are just estimates! Your exact numbers might dance around a bit depending on your specific ingredients. Each garlic knot clocks in at about 120 calories, with 6g of fat (hey, butter is delicious) and 14g of carbs. They pack 3g of protein too – not bad for a little bread twist! Keep in mind, if you go heavier on the Parmesan or lighter on the butter, your numbers will shift. But let’s be real – nobody eats just one anyway!
Common Questions About Easy Garlic Knots
I’ve gotten so many questions about these garlic knots over the years – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of canned?
Absolutely! My grandma’s pizza dough recipe works beautifully here. Just roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick before cutting. The canned stuff is my lazy-day shortcut, but homemade gives you bragging rights!
How do I keep them soft after baking?
The butter bath is key! Brush them while still warm so they soak it up. If they stiffen up, a quick 5-minute warm-up in the oven with an extra butter brush brings them right back to life.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prep the knots and keep them unbaked in the fridge for a few hours, but bake them fresh for best texture. The garlic butter should always go on right after baking – nobody likes soggy knots!
Why do mine sometimes unravel while baking?
Don’t tie them too tight! A gentle twist holds better. If they do unwind, just call them “garlic sticks” – they’ll taste just as amazing.
Irresistible 25-Minute Easy Garlic Knots You’ll Crave
Easy garlic knots are soft, buttery, and packed with garlic flavor. Perfect as a side or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 12 knots 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out pizza dough and cut into 1-inch strips.
- Twist each strip into a knot and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Mix melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Brush garlic butter over warm knots and sprinkle with Parmesan.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor.
- Let knots cool slightly before brushing with butter.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 knot
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
