Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

If you’re craving soft, buttery rolls with a fragrant garlic and herb twist, you’re going to absolutely adore this Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe. I’ve fine-tuned this recipe to deliver fluffy, tender rolls in just about an hour, which is a total game-changer when you want homemade bread without an all-day commitment. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to for family dinners, holiday feasts, or any time you want a warm, comforting bite fresh from the oven.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list is straightforward, but each one plays a vital role in giving these rolls their signature softness and flavor. For instance, the instant potato flakes add that extra tenderness, and using fresh herbs really makes the garlic butter topping shine.

• Butter: Divided between the dough and garlic butter glaze, butter adds richness and helps achieve that tender crumb.
• Whole milk: Milk makes the rolls softer and richer; 2% works fine if that’s what you have.
• Water: Helps activate the yeast and creates the perfect dough consistency.
• All-purpose flour: The base of your dough — make sure to have a little extra for dusting.
• Instant potato flakes: This is a little trick I discovered for super fluffy, soft rolls; they lock in moisture better than just flour alone.
• Rapid-rise yeast: This speeds up the rising process so you can have fresh rolls in one hour.
• Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a mild sweetness that balances the savory flavors.
• Salt: Essential for flavor and to control yeast activity.
• Garlic powder: Packs in the garlic flavor right into the dough.
• Fresh rosemary: Adds a lovely herby aroma — if using dried, use half the quantity.
• Fresh parsley: Gives fresh green notes; also use half if dried.
• Large egg: Adds richness and helps with structure.
• Fresh garlic cloves: Used in the butter glaze for that fresh, aromatic garlic punch.

Variations

I love how this Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe is such a flexible base — you can easily tweak the herbs or add a cheesy twist to make it suit your mood or menu. Feel free to experiment!

• Herb Switch-Up: Sometimes I swap the rosemary for thyme or oregano depending on what I have on hand — it’s just as delicious and gives the rolls a new flavor profile.
• Cheesy Rolls: Adding some shredded parmesan or sharp cheddar right into the dough gives a savory, melty surprise — my family goes crazy for this version!
• Whole Wheat Option: You can substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a nuttier taste, but I recommend keeping the other half to maintain softness.
• Vegan-Friendly: Use plant-based butter and a flax egg in place of the regular egg to make these rolls vegan without losing the softness.

How to Make Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

Step 1: Warm the Butter, Milk, and Water

Start by melting 4 tablespoons of butter along with the milk and water in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat in one-minute intervals, checking the temperature frequently — you want it warm to the touch, around 110-115ºF, which is perfect for waking up the yeast. Too hot and it might kill the yeast; if it does get too hot, just let it cool down a bit before using.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In your mixer bowl with a dough hook attached, combine 4 cups flour, instant potato flakes, rapid-rise yeast, sugar, salt, garlic powder, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Just give it a quick stir to mix everything evenly—this makes sure your yeast and herbs are well distributed for even flavor.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Knead

With the mixer on the slowest ‘stir’ speed, slowly pour in the warm milk mixture and crack in the egg. Once everything is combined, bump the speed up to medium-low and knead the dough for 4-5 minutes. You’ll notice the dough pull away from the sides and form a ball; if it feels too sticky, sprinkle in the extra flour, little by little. I usually don’t need all 4½ cups, but better to have it on hand!

Step 4: Let the Dough Rest

Take the dough off the hook, cover your bowl with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180ºF and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Using a warm oven to rise is a neat trick I discovered that really helps speed things up without overheating the dough.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

Turn the rested dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a 15-inch circle using a floured rolling pin. Using a pizza cutter dipped in flour will help you cut neat pieces — divide into 12 or 16, depending on how big you want your rolls. I eyeball it, but if you want to get fancy, you can weigh each piece for uniformity. Fold in the seams and roll each piece into a smooth ball, placing them seam-side down in your prepared dish.

Step 6: Let the Rolls Rise

Brush the tops with water to keep them from drying out, then turn off your warmed oven and place the baking dish inside for 20 minutes. Seriously, don’t open the oven door! This gentle warmth helps the dough rise perfectly without collapsing.

Step 7: Bake the Rolls

After rising, remove the dish from the oven and crank the oven temperature up to 375ºF. Bake those beautiful rolls for 18-22 minutes until golden brown on top (or a bit quicker for smaller rolls). This step fills your kitchen with such an amazing aroma, I often catch myself sneaking a peek early!

Step 8: Prepare and Brush with Garlic Herb Butter

While the rolls bake, melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan with your minced or whole garlic cloves over medium heat. Once you can really smell the garlic, stir in the remaining parsley and a pinch of salt. Brush this gorgeous, fragrant butter over the hot rolls right when they come out of the oven — this step takes these rolls from delicious to unforgettable.

How to Serve Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a bit more fresh parsley on top of the garlic-buttered rolls right before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I’ll add a little flaky sea salt if we want a slight crunch contrast. These simple garnishes make a big difference in presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

These garlic herb rolls are a dream alongside soups like creamy tomato basil, hearty beef stew, or even a fresh garden salad. I also love pairing them with roast chicken or turkey during holidays—the perfect vehicle to soak up every bit of gravy and sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like arranging the rolls in a pretty circular pattern on a wooden board or inside a rustic basket lined with a linen napkin. Adding a small bowl of extra garlic butter for dipping takes the presentation and indulgence factor way up. Your guests will be impressed, and honestly, so will you!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature. I find they stay soft and fresh for 2-3 days this way. To keep them moist, add a slice of fresh bread in the container—it’s an old baker’s trick I swear by!

Freezing

You can freeze these rolls either before baking (after shaping) or after they’re baked and cooled. For raw rolls, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag; bake from frozen by adding extra baking time. For baked rolls, wrap tightly in foil and freeze—perfect for prepping ahead for holiday meals.

Reheating

I reheat leftover rolls wrapped in foil at 350ºF for about 10 minutes. You can also microwave them wrapped in a damp paper towel for 15-20 seconds if you’re in a hurry. Brushing a little extra garlic butter before reheating makes them taste just like fresh-baked!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Herb Soft Dinner Rolls Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen — they’re the kind of bread that makes the whole meal feel cozy and homemade. I love sharing these with family because they bring people together around the table. Once you try making these yourself, you’ll see how simply soft, buttery, and beautifully flavored rolls can transform your dinners, holidays, and weeknight meals. Give this recipe a go—you won’t regret it.

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