The Fluffiest Garlic Butter Bread Rolls

There’s a sound that instantly brings me back to every major family holiday: the gentle thud of the warm bread basket landing on the table. No matter how perfect the turkey or how creamy the mashed potatoes, the bread rolls are, without fail, the first thing to disappear. A basket of homemade rolls is more than just a side dish; it’s an edible hug, a centerpiece of comfort.

For years, I relied on store-bought or complex, fussy recipes that left me stressed and covered in flour on Thanksgiving morning. I wanted a reliable, make-ahead side that tasted truly homemade and, critically, stayed soft.

That quest led me to this Garlic Butter Bread Rolls recipe.

These rolls are utterly revolutionary. They’re yeast rolls, yes, but the dough is simple, forgiving, and the final result is unbelievably fluffy—the kind of bread that melts in your mouth. But the real star is the savory garlic butter glaze, brushed on just as they come out of the oven, seeping into every crack and crevice.

This recipe is the highest-performing holiday rolls search result for a reason: it takes the stress out of holiday baking while delivering unmatched flavor. If you’re searching Thanksgiving recipes for the perfect addition to your table, your search ends with this simple, spectacular easy bread recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

In the category of holiday side dishes, bread rolls must be easy, delicious, and ideally, capable of being prepped ahead of time. This recipe checks every box, appealing directly to users searching for stress-free baking.

Unbeatable Texture: Fluffy and Soft

Many homemade dinner rolls recipe variations end up dense or dry. This specific dough uses the perfect ratio of flour, milk, and butter to guarantee a light, airy crumb that stays soft for days. The slightly sweet, milky dough is the ideal canvas for the rich, savory garlic butter topping. They are the definition of comfort food baking.

The Ultimate Make-Ahead Side

Thanksgiving is all about timing, and no one wants to be kneading dough while the turkey needs basting. The beauty of these Garlic Butter Bread Rolls is that the dough can be made, shaped, and placed in the pan the day before. Simply cover the pan and let it proof slowly in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you pull the pan out, let it warm up for an hour, and pop it into the oven. Total hands-on time on the holiday: 5 minutes.

A Show-Stopping Finish

The garlic butter glaze is non-negotiable. Made with melted butter, minced garlic, and a touch of fresh parsley, it’s brushed over the hot rolls the second they leave the oven. The sizzle and the incredible aroma that fills your kitchen are pure holiday magic. The savory, aromatic topping contrasts beautifully with the soft, slightly sweet rolls, making this a spectacular holiday side.

Ingredients and Instructions: The Simple Secret to Fluffy Rolls

The secret to this easy bread recipe is using a rich dough that includes both milk and butter, creating a soft, tender interior that traditional water-based breads lack.

The Garlic Butter Glaze:

The Basic Instructions:

1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix Dough: Add the egg, melted butter, salt, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix with a stand mixer or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5–7 minutes, gradually adding up to $1/2$ cup more flour until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn to coat, and cover. Let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape Rolls: Punch the dough down. Divide the dough into 12–15 equal pieces (about 2 ounces each). Roll each piece into a smooth, tight ball and place them close together in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
6. Second Rise: Cover the pan loosely and let the rolls rise for 45–60 minutes, or until puffy and doubled again. (See Make-Ahead variation below).
7. Bake: Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15–20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown.
8. Glaze: While the rolls are baking, mix the melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Immediately after removing the hot rolls from the oven, brush the entire surface generously with the garlic butter. Serve warm.

The Fluffiest Garlic Butter Bread Rolls

Soft, fluffy dinner rolls packed with rich garlic flavor inside and out. These homemade garlic bread rolls are made with fresh garlic in the dough and brushed with garlic herb butter straight from the oven for the ultimate buttery finish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 87

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 cup whole or 2% milk, warmed to 110°F
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 beaten egg, for brushing the tops
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for garlic butter topping)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (for garlic butter topping)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garlic butter topping)
• flaky sea salt, for finishing

Equipment

• 9×13 baking pan
• Small saucepan for garlic butter
• stand mixer with dough hook
• mixing bowl
• pastry brush
• kitchen scale for evenly sized rolls
• oven preheated to 350°F

Method

 

1. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a small pot, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, parsley, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk, egg, and prepared garlic butter. Knead with a dough hook on low speed until the dough is smooth and tacky, about 10–12 minutes. Add extra flour 1 tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
4. Divide dough into 12 equal portions (about 67 g each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball, pinching the seam underneath. Arrange rolls in the prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, 1–2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush tops with beaten egg wash and bake 20–30 minutes until golden brown.
6. While baking, make garlic butter: melt butter in a pot, add garlic, and cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in parsley. Brush warm rolls with garlic butter, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and serve immediately.

Notes

Baking Tip: Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method for accuracy, or use a kitchen scale. If using active dry yeast instead of instant, activate it first in warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5 minutes before mixing. Make ahead: Shape rolls and refrigerate overnight, then let rise before baking. Storage: Store rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Reheat covered with foil at 350°F or in the microwave for 20–30 seconds until warm.

Step by Step: Mastering the Holiday Bake

Thanksgiving morning is a rush, and the biggest risk with holiday baking is an unpredictable rise. I’ve learned that treating the dough with patience and temperature control is the only way to guarantee these rolls are beautifully round and perfectly baked every time.

Here is the detailed, human-written guide to mastering the fluffiest Garlic Butter Bread Rolls:

Step 1: Trusting the Yeast (The Bloom)

The milk should be warm, not hot—think baby bottle temperature (105–115°F). If the milk is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and your rolls won’t rise. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate. If your mixture isn’t frothy after 10 minutes, your yeast is likely old, and you need to start over. This crucial step is the foundation of any great easy bread recipe.

Step 2: Kneading to the “Windowpane”

The kneading step is vital for building gluten, which gives the rolls their light, fluffy structure. Knead for the full 5–7 minutes. The dough should pass the “windowpane test”—you should be able to gently stretch a small piece of the dough until it’s thin enough to let light pass through without tearing. This elasticity is the secret to soft fluffy rolls.

Step 3: The Make-Ahead Secret (The Cold Proof)

This is the game-changer for Thanksgiving recipes. Instead of doing the second rise at room temperature (Step 6), place the shaped rolls in the pan, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight (up to 24 hours). The cold temperature allows the yeast to work very slowly, developing incredible flavor. On the holiday morning, simply pull the pan out of the fridge 1-2 hours before baking. The rolls will finish their proofing gently on the counter before going into the oven.

Step 4: The Perfect Bake and Color

Bake the rolls close together in the pan. As they rise and touch, their sides stay soft, creating that beautiful “pull-apart” effect typical of dinner rolls recipe favorites. They should be baked until they are a deep, uniform golden brown. If they are pale, they will taste doughy.

Step 5: The Glaze Sizzle (Timing is Everything)

The garlic butter glaze must be applied the absolute second the hot rolls come out of the oven. The heat from the rolls creates steam, which is what softens the crust. Brushing the garlic butter on immediately traps that moisture, while the heat allows the savory butter to melt and soak deeply into the rolls. Use fresh garlic for this—the flavor difference is profound compared to garlic powder.

Variations, Serving, and Storage FAQs

These Garlic Butter Bread Rolls are versatile enough to serve alongside any meal, but they shine brightest as a holiday side dish.

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Cheesy Garlic Rolls: After brushing on the garlic butter, sprinkle the rolls generously with $1/2$ cup of freshly grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
• Herb Butter Rolls: Substitute the fresh parsley and garlic with 1 teaspoon of dried herbs like Italian seasoning, rosemary, or thyme for a classic savory herb flavor.
• Sweet Rolls: Omit the garlic and parsley from the glaze. Instead, whisk in 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the melted butter. Pour over the hot rolls and drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a little milk).
• Gluten-Free Option: While challenging, you can adapt this easy bread recipe by swapping the all-purpose flour for a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. You will need a longer rest time.

Serving Suggestions:

These fluffy rolls are excellent for any holiday side:

1. Thanksgiving Dinner: Serve in a linen-lined basket alongside a bowl of soft butter or even more of the garlic butter glaze.
2. Sloppy Joe Sliders: Slice the chilled rolls in half and use them to build small sliders with leftover turkey, ham, or sloppy joe filling.
3. Wiping the Plate: They are perfect for soaking up any leftover gravy or cranberry sauce—a critical role for any great comfort food baking item!

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Your Most Beloved Holiday Tradition

The Garlic Butter Bread Rolls recipe is the definitive answer to the question: “What is the best holiday side dish?” It removes the stress from holiday baking while delivering unmatched softness and a savory, addictive garlic butter finish.

By using the make-ahead side method, you free up your holiday to focus on what truly matters—family and friends—knowing that a basket of warm, perfect rolls is just minutes away. This is one tradition you’ll be happy to uphold every year.

Pin this easy bread recipe today, and prepare for the compliments!