Easy Garlic Knots

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Six ingredient buttery garlic knots recipe

Easy and delicious garlic knots at home

Garlic knots are some of the easiest, most delicious golden brown nuggets ever invented. These doughy little bites are loaded with flavor and perfect for a party appetizer.

They’re also terrific served with a hot bowl of soup, a crispy fresh green salad or as a side for our favorite authentic Italian Chicken Cacciatore.

Change up pizza night with homemade garlic knots!

We’re absolutely crazy about pizza. Anytime, anywhere, I’m all in for a little pizza magic. But sometimes we don’t need a whole pizza to crush that craving. Simple, easy garlic knots dipped in marinara sauce is the perfect solution.

While the two of us don’t always need 24 garlic knots to share, we can easily split the recipe in half. And don’t worry about leftovers. They can be refrigerated for several days and reheated in the oven or microwave and are still delicious!

For convenience we start with a one pound ball of store-bought pizza dough. Fresh or frozen both work well.

If you have time, make homemade pizza dough.

If you’re feeling a little more ambitious make this easy, homemade pizza dough. This is one of the easiest yeast doughs you’ll ever make and it always turns out great.

With a little planning and only 5 ingredients, you can master our easy, delicious and versatile yeast dough for all your pizza or garlic knot recipes.

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Ingredients overview for garlic knots:

• Fresh or frozen pizza dough; thawed if frozen. The dough can be store-bought or homemade.
• Unsalted butter
• Minced cloves garlic
• Dried oregano or dried Italian seasoning
• Fresh parsley leaves chopped and/or a few small basil leaves minced
• Flaky sea salt for topping. If using salted butter omit adding the sea salt garnish. These balls of deliciousness need a tiny bit of salt so don’t skip adding some for flavor. This way you can control of the amount of sodium needed for your family.
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional).
• Store-bought or homemade Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)

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How to make garlic knots with pizza dough

The hands on prep time on this recipe is minimal, about 15 minutes. Most of the total time is spent rising and baking.

1. Follow the package instructions for thawing frozen pizza dough. Place the dough in a large bowl and coat in olive oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.

Start this recipe about 2 hours before you plan to serve

2. Set the fresh or thawed pizza dough out at room temperature for 30 minutes before making garlic knots. Line one large or two small baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

3. Lightly sprinkle all purchase flour a clean work surface and roll the dough into a 12-inch square. The dough may spring back a little and not hold its shape. Let the dough rest another minute then try again.

4. Using a pizza cutter or very sharp knife cut the dough in half, then cut each half crosswise into twelve 1-inch thick strips. You should have a total of 24 pieces.

5. Tie each strip into a simple loop knot, stretching and pulling as needed. Tuck the end pieces under the knot and place on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Once the pan is full cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm location until puffy (almost double in size), about 60 to 90 minutes.

Bake the garlic knots

7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the knots until deep golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

8. While the knots are baking melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the hot garlic butter into a bowl and stir in the oregano and parsley. Cover and keep warm.

9. Carefully place a few hot, baked knots in the butter mixture, tossing to coat. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon and sprinkle with a few flakes of sea salt, if using. Repeat until all knots are buttered.

10. Sprinkle the knots with additional chopped parsley and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with warm marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.

Dip or brush the garlic butter

I prefer to use two spoons to roll the knots in the melted garlic butter. If preferred you can try brushing the mixture over the rolls. The butter may not get into the crevices but whatever works for you is fine.

Be sure to sprinkle salt over the knots before the butter soaks into the roll. This is best done in batches and helps the butter stick to the knot instead of falling off onto the platter.

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Optional ingredients and methods

For even more garlic flavor, brush the pizza dough strips with a little melted butter mixed with garlic powder before tying the knot.

You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder to the butter before tossing the knots in a bowl.

Tuck a few pieces of minced pepperoni inside the dough before baking. All the kids love pepperoni knots.

Wrap a dough strip around a small chunk of mozzarella cheese for a gooey, cheesy pizza knot. Make sure the cheese if fully covered so it doesn’t ooze out onto the pan while baking.

We also like to use crushed dried Italian seasoning in place of oregano.

Leave the dough in strips and bake without making knots. The strips are best if the sides are touching a little when baked so they remain partially soft.

Brush the baked dough strips with a butter garlic powder mixture then top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Return the bread strips to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.

Cut the dough into squares and stuff each with your favorite pizza toppings. Seal the dough over the filling and place seam side down on the baking pan. Bake, butter and enjoy.

How to reheat garlic knots

Just like leftover pizza, reheating garlic knots is easy to do. Wrap the knots in foil and bake in a warm 350 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. For a crispier crust warm unwrapped on a baking pan until heated through.

You can also microwave a few at a time for about 30 seconds which is my favorite way to reheat garlic knots.

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Homemade garlic knots are a breeze to make!

Garlic knots are flavorful, chewy and perfect for dipping in melted cheese sauce, marinara or pizza sauce. This recipe feeds a hungry crowd and is perfect for football parties, Friday night sleepovers or to cure a wicked pizza craving.

You can use fresh, frozen or homemade or store-bought pizza dough for this recipe. It’s easily adapted to your favorite flavors, fillings, shapes and sizes so make it your own!

Finally, don’t miss our very popular BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls also made with store-bought pizza dough. Let us know what you think of this recipe and how it turned out for you.