Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are sure to become a hit in your kitchen:
- Irresistible Garlic Butter – The garlic butter is made from roasted garlic, olive oil, and butter, giving it a rich, savory flavor that seeps into the soft dough.
- Gooey Cheese Filling – Each roll is packed with mozzarella cheese, making it melty and gooey with every bite.
- Fluffy and Soft – The dough is perfectly soft and tender, creating the ideal base for the cheese and garlic filling.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – These rolls are versatile and can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a snack for movie nights.
- Great for Meal Prep – You can make these rolls ahead of time, and they’re just as delicious the next day!
These Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are a must-try for anyone who loves the combination of garlic, butter, and cheese.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Garlic Butter:
- 1 garlic head
- Sprinkle of salt
- 30 grams olive oil
- 50 grams butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Dough:
- 90 grams warm milk
- 7 grams active dry yeast
- 25 grams honey
- 200 grams all-purpose flour
- 50 grams bread flour
- 20 grams milk powder (optional)
- 25 grams butter (softened)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Filling:
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Garlic butter (prepared earlier)
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg (beaten)

Directions
1. Roast the Garlic:
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Cut the top off of a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Roast the garlic in the oven for about 2 hours, until the garlic is soft and buttery.
2. Make the Garlic Butter:
- Once the garlic is roasted, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them.
- Mix the mashed garlic with softened butter, chopped fresh parsley, and 2 tablespoons of the garlic-infused oil from roasting.
- Set the garlic butter aside.
3. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
4. Make the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder (if using), softened butter, salt, and egg yolks.
- Add the yeast mixture to the bowl and mix everything together until a dough forms.
5. Knead the Dough:
- Knead the dough using a dough hook attachment on medium speed for 15-20 minutes, until the dough becomes soft and smooth.
6. Proof the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it proof in a warm place for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
7. Assemble the Rolls:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread a generous amount of garlic butter over the dough, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly.
- Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 6 equal portions.
8. Second Proof:
- Place the rolls on a baking sheet, cover them, and let them proof for another 30 minutes, or until they are puffy and have risen.
9. Bake the Rolls:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the rolls with a beaten egg for a shiny, golden finish.
- Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
10. Finish the Dish:
- Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and brush them with the remaining garlic butter and parsley.
11. Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the rolls cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm, and savor the gooey cheese and aromatic garlic butter in every bite.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6 rolls
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes resting and baking time)
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
These rolls take some time to prepare, but the results are definitely worth the wait!
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the rolls in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to restore their softness and melty cheese.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling?
Yes! Feel free to use cheddar, gouda, or a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough and let it proof in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling and assembling the rolls.
3. Can I freeze these rolls?
Yes! After assembling the rolls, you can freeze them before baking. When ready to bake, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
4. Can I make these rolls without the garlic butter?
The garlic butter is what makes these rolls extra special, but if you prefer a simpler version, you can use plain butter or olive oil instead.
5. Can I make these rolls with whole wheat flour?
Yes! You can substitute whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour. Just keep in mind that the texture may be denser.
6. Can I add herbs or spices to the dough?
Yes! Feel free to add dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the dough for added flavor.
7. Can I use store-bought dough?
While homemade dough gives the best results, you can use store-bought pizza dough or biscuit dough as a shortcut if you’re short on time.
8. How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy?
Make sure to bake the rolls until they are golden brown, and allow them to cool slightly before serving to prevent sogginess.
9. Can I make these rolls smaller?
Yes, you can cut the dough into smaller pieces to make mini rolls. Just reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
10. How do I ensure the rolls stay soft?
For soft rolls, make sure not to overbake them and keep them covered after baking while they cool.
Conclusion
Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls are the perfect combination of fluffy, buttery dough and gooey cheese, all enhanced with savory garlic butter. These rolls are sure to impress anyone at the table and are perfect for any occasion, from casual dinners to holiday meals. With a bit of patience and care, you’ll have a batch of warm, cheesy rolls that everyone will love. Enjoy!

Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls: A Soft, Savory Delight
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes resting and baking time)
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 rolls
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Buttery Cheese Garlic Rolls combine soft, pillowy dough with gooey mozzarella cheese and a rich garlic butter spread, offering a delicious balance of flavors and textures. Perfect for any occasion, they make a comforting appetizer or side dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 garlic head
Sprinkle of salt
30 grams olive oil
50 grams butter
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
90 grams warm milk
7 grams active dry yeast
25 grams honey
200 grams all-purpose flour
50 grams bread flour
20 grams milk powder (optional)
25 grams butter (softened)
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
200 grams mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 egg (beaten)
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Cut the top off of a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and cover with aluminum foil. Roast for 2 hours until soft and buttery.
- Make the Garlic Butter: Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its skins and mash it. Mix with softened butter, chopped parsley, and 2 tablespoons of garlic-infused oil from roasting.
- Prepare the Yeast Mixture: Combine warm milk, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Make the Dough: Combine all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder (if using), softened butter, salt, and egg yolks. Add the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough with a dough hook attachment for 15-20 minutes until soft and smooth.
- Proof the Dough: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it proof for 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
- Assemble the Rolls: Punch down the dough, roll it out, spread garlic butter, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Roll up the dough and cut into 6 equal pieces.
- Second Proof: Let the rolls proof for 30 minutes, then brush with a beaten egg.
- Bake the Rolls: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Finish the Dish: Brush with remaining garlic butter and parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
You can make the dough and proof it overnight in the fridge for convenience.
For a more intense garlic flavor, add garlic powder to the dough or filling.
Store any leftover rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg