Freshly baked garlic knots are one of those simple breads that can make a meal feel extra special. These small, twisted pieces of dough have a soft center, lightly golden exterior, and plenty of savory garlic flavor.

The dough takes some time to rise, but the hands-on work is straightforward. Once shaped and baked, the warm knots are finished with a buttery garlic-herb mixture for a flavorful result that is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.

Ingredients

This recipe uses a simple yeast dough and a separate garlic butter topping, listed in that order. You will need:

- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons warm water

- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast

- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

- 3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 3⅓ cups bread flour

- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced

- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

- ¼ teaspoon salt

- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, optional

Preparation and Cooking Time

Preparation takes about 3 hours, including rising, and baking takes about 20–23 minutes, for a total of about 3 hours 25 minutes. The recipe makes 16 garlic knots.

Making the Dough

The dough is the foundation of these garlic knots, so giving it enough time to develop is important. Warm water helps activate the yeast, while sugar provides a little sweetness. Olive oil or melted butter adds richness, and garlic powder brings a gentle savory note directly into the dough.

Bread flour gives the finished knots a pleasantly chewy structure while keeping the inside soft. If the dough feels excessively sticky while mixing or kneading, a small amount of additional flour can be added. Avoid adding too much, however, because an overly floury dough can produce heavier knots.

After kneading, place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it. Let it rise in a warm spot for roughly two hours, or until it has noticeably increased in size.

Instructions

Follow these steps in order, starting with the dough:

1. Mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes.

2. Add the olive oil or melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and bread flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead for about 5 minutes, then place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about 2 hours.

Shaping the Knots

The first rise is the longest part of the recipe. Once the dough has risen, shape the knots:

4. Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each into a rope.

5. Tie each rope into a simple knot and place on lined baking sheets.

6. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.

Preparing the Topping

The second rise is shorter than the first. Toward the end of it, prepare the oven and the topping:

7. Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C).

8. Mix the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt.

9. Brush some of the garlic butter over the knots.

Baking and Finishing

Only part of the garlic butter is used before baking. Keep the rest, then bake and finish the knots:

10. Bake for 20–23 minutes, until lightly golden.

11. Brush with the remaining garlic butter and add Parmesan or parsley if desired.

12. Serve warm.

Getting the Best Texture

The main trick is resisting the temptation to add too much flour. The dough should remain soft and slightly tacky after kneading. If it becomes difficult to handle, add flour gradually rather than using a large amount at once.

The two rising periods also play an important role. The first gives the dough time to expand, while the shorter second rise takes place after shaping. Allowing both stages to happen helps keep the finished knots light and tender.

Garlic Butter Makes the Difference

The topping gives these knots their strongest flavor. Brushing the dough before baking allows the garlic and herbs to become part of the crust as the knots cook. Applying another layer immediately afterward adds a fresh buttery finish.

Fresh minced garlic creates a more noticeable garlic flavor, while garlic powder can be used when a smoother topping is preferred. Dried oregano, basil, or parsley can also replace a prepared herb seasoning blend.

Homemade garlic knots require patience during the rising stages, but the shaping and baking process is quite manageable. The result is a batch of soft, golden bread with a fragrant garlic-herb coating and a satisfying buttery finish. Serve them warm alongside a meal, or enjoy them on their own as a simple baked snack.