If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen. That’s exactly why I am so excited to share this Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe with you — it’s quick, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any meal. These rolls come together in about an hour, and they have that dreamy combination of soft, pillowy bread with a punch of fresh rosemary and garlic that I just can’t get enough of. Trust me, whether you’re serving a fancy dinner or just a cozy family meal, these rolls steal the show every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick and Easy: You’ll have warm, fresh rolls ready in about an hour — no multi-hour rises needed.
- Flavor Bomb: The mix of fresh rosemary and garlic hits just right every single time, making these rolls irresistibly savory.
- Soft, But with Structure: These rolls come out fluffy yet sturdy enough to hold up to butter, soups, or sandwich fixings.
- Family Favorite: I’ve lost count of how many times my family has asked for these to be made again – I think you’ll see why!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a little fresh rosemary and garlic, this recipe comes together beautifully. The key is using fresh herbs and getting your liquids to just the right temperature for yeast activation – I’ll help you with those little tricks!
- Water: This keeps the dough hydrated — room temperature or slightly warm is perfect for yeast activation.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and tenderness to the rolls; don’t skip this!
- Milk: Helps make the crumb softer and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that helps the yeast bloom and balances the savory notes.
- Active-Dry Yeast: The magic behind the rise; fresh yeast makes for fluffier rolls.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of your dough — start with 3 1/2 cups and add more if needed.
- Fresh Rosemary: Finely chopped to infuse a fragrant, herbaceous flavor throughout.
- Fine Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors; if you only have table salt, I’ll share how to adjust quantities below.
- Garlic Powder: A quick way to amp up the garlic flavor inside the dough.
- Butter for Garlic Herb Butter: Used to brush over the baked rolls for that irresistible finishing touch.
- Fresh Garlic: Thinly sliced to simmer in the butter for a mellow garlic flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herby finish to the garlic butter topping.
- Optional Flaky Sea Salt: For sprinkling on top of rolls after baking to add texture and a pop of saltiness.
Variations
One thing I really enjoy about this Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your own taste or dietary needs. Feel free to play around with herbs, fats, or even alternative flours.
- Herb Swap: I’ve swapped rosemary for fresh thyme or oregano when I ran out — totally delicious and just as fragrant.
- Garlic Butter Twist: Sometimes, I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a subtle kick, especially when serving alongside chili or barbecue.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or almond milk and vegan butter to make these rolls vegan-friendly without losing their softness.
- Whole Wheat Blend: For a nuttier flavor and added fiber, try replacing half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Just be sure to add a little extra water if the dough feels dry.
How to Make Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Warm Up Your Liquids and Activate the Yeast
The first step is warming your water, melted butter, milk, and honey to about 110°F — warm enough to wake up your yeast, but not so hot that it kills it. I usually stir this on the stove over medium-low heat, which lets me keep an eye on the temperature. Then, sprinkle your active-dry yeast on top and give it a quick stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy — this tells you the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
Step 2: Mix in Dry Ingredients and Knead
Next, add 3 1/2 cups of flour, fresh rosemary, fine sea salt, and garlic powder to your yeast mixture. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, it’s the perfect time to use it — mix on medium-low speed until the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl but remains slightly sticky. If it feels too wet, add flour a little at a time, but be careful not to overdo it; too much flour will dry out your rolls. No mixer? No worries — I’ll tell you how to knead by hand in the note below. Knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Let Your Dough Rise
Once kneaded, form your dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp towel or foil and find a warm, cozy spot — a little warmth helps the dough rise faster. I sometimes rest it in an oven with the light turned on. Let it rise for about 15 minutes; you’re aiming for a puffed-up look, but since this is a quick-rise recipe, don’t worry if it’s not doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Rolls
After the quick rise, gently punch down the dough and divide it into 15 equal pieces. I like to weigh them for even rolls, but you can eyeball it too. Roll each piece into a smooth ball — don’t skimp here because smoothness helps get that pretty, soft finish. Arrange the dough balls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover again, and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes. This second rise gives the rolls that pillowy softness you’ll love.
Step 5: Bake and Prepare Garlic Herb Butter
Pop the rolls in a preheated 400°F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden brown top. While they’re baking, melt butter over low heat, add thinly sliced garlic, and let it gently simmer to infuse the butter without burning the garlic. After 2 minutes, strain out the garlic slices and stir in fresh parsley. This garlic herb butter is the final flourish that makes these rolls unforgettable.
Step 6: Brush, Sprinkle, and Serve
As soon as your rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if you like that extra crunch. Serve them warm and watch how fast they disappear. My family goes crazy for this part, and honestly, so do I.
Pro Tips for Making Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Perfect Liquid Temperature: I use a digital thermometer to get the liquid mixture to exactly 110°F — any hotter and the yeast dies, too cool and it won’t activate properly.
- Don’t Over-Knead: Keep kneading time between 4-5 minutes for the softest texture; overworking the dough can make rolls dense.
- Gentle Handling: When shaping rolls, handle the dough gently to preserve those air bubbles that make them fluffy inside.
- Garlic Butter Flavor: Simmer garlic gently rather than frying it — this prevents bitterness and keeps the butter silky.
How to Serve Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing these rolls with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt because it adds a beautiful crunch and little bursts of saltiness that contrast so well with the soft bread and garlic butter. Fresh parsley or a tiny pinch of grated Parmesan is also a nice touch if you want to add a subtle flavor boost.
Side Dishes
These rosemary garlic dinner rolls are fantastic alongside a hearty soup — my go-tos are creamy tomato basil, chicken noodle, or butternut squash. They also pair beautifully with roasted chicken or a fresh garden salad for a lighter meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged the rolls in a circular pattern on a platter, topped them with extra herb butter, and garnished with whole sprigs of fresh rosemary for a rustic, beautiful look. Sometimes, I serve individual rolls in mini cast-iron skillets for an extra cozy presentation that always draws compliments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I wrap any leftover rolls tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They stay soft but best enjoyed fresh! If you want to keep them longer, freezing is the way to go.
Freezing
I like to freeze the rolls after they’ve cooled, individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a zip-top freezer bag. This way I can thaw just what I need. When frozen properly, they keep their flavor and texture well for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the rolls in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 10-12 minutes until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, give them a little more time. I usually brush extra garlic butter on top after reheating for that fresh-baked magic.
FAQs
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Can I make this Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! You can mix the ingredients in a large bowl and then knead the dough on a floured surface by hand for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It’s a little more work, but just as rewarding.
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What if I don’t have fresh rosemary?
Fresh rosemary adds the best flavor, but you can substitute with dried rosemary—use about one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. Just sprinkle it with the other dry ingredients.
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Can I freeze the unbaked dough?
You can! Shape the dough into rolls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then store the frozen dough balls in a freezer bag. When ready, thaw and allow a full rise before baking.
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What’s the difference between all-purpose flour and bread flour for these rolls?
All-purpose flour works great here because it gives a tender crumb. Bread flour has more protein and would give you slightly chewier rolls. For this recipe, I prefer the softer texture from all-purpose.
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How can I adjust the salt if I only have table salt?
Table salt is denser than sea salt, so use half the amount in this recipe if substituting. For example, use ½ teaspoon table salt instead of 1 teaspoon sea salt to avoid over-seasoning.
Final Thoughts
This Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe truly holds a special place in my heart because it combines simplicity with incredible flavor — all without needing hours in the kitchen. Every time I pull these golden, fragrant rolls from the oven, I feel like I’m giving my family a little gift. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these rolls as much as I have. Give them a try this week and let me know if they don’t quickly become your new favorite dinner roll!
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Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 15 rolls (about 12 servings) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These One Hour Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfectly infused with fresh rosemary and garlic flavors. Ready in just one hour, they make an easy and impressive side for any dinner. The rolls are brushed with a savory garlic herb butter for an irresistible finishing touch, perfect for family meals or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Dinner Rolls Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon active-dry yeast
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- optional: flaky sea salt, for serving
Garlic Herb Butter Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the liquids: Stir together the water and melted butter in a saucepan, then add in the milk and honey and stir until combined. Heat the mixture over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 110°F. It will be warm but not hot to the touch. Alternatively, you can heat the mixture in a microwave until it reaches 110°F.
- Add yeast: Pour the liquid mixture into the large bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand. Sprinkle the yeast on top and stir quickly to combine, then let the yeast activate for 5 minutes until it is foamy.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Add in 3 1/2 cups of flour (reserve the rest for later if needed), rosemary, fine sea salt, and garlic powder. Using the dough hook on a stand mixer, beat on medium-low speed until combined. If the dough sticks to the bowl, add flour 1/4 cup at a time (up to 4 cups total) until the dough pulls away from the sides and is slightly sticky. Continue mixing on low speed for 4 to 5 minutes until smooth. If kneading by hand, stir flour into the wet ingredients until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise: Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp towel or foil and let it rise in a warm spot for 15 minutes, allowing it to slightly puff.
- Prep oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Form the rolls: Punch down the risen dough gently. Divide the dough into 15 equal pieces, shaping each into a smooth ball. Arrange the dough balls in the greased baking dish. Cover with a damp towel or foil and let rise for another 15 to 20 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Bake: Remove the cover and bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Make the garlic butter: While the rolls bake, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the sliced garlic and simmer gently for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and strain out the garlic slices. Stir in the chopped parsley until well combined.
- Serve warm: Brush the garlic herb butter generously over the hot rolls and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the fragrant, tender dinner rolls.
Notes
- To make the rolls by hand, complete steps 2 and 3 in a large bowl, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth.
- If using iodized table salt instead of fine sea salt, reduce the quantity to 1/2 teaspoon.
- If you prefer garlic butter with garlic pieces, finely mince the garlic instead of slicing. Alternatively, substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder in the butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
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