Cheese Garlic Rolls are soft, fluffy, and loaded with gooey mozzarella cheese and a buttery roasted garlic sauce. Perfect as a side for pasta, soup, or your holiday table, these homemade rolls are worth every bit of effort. The slow-roasted garlic adds depth, while stretchy cheese inside each swirl creates a pull-apart masterpiece that’s both aromatic and indulgent.
You’ll love the pillowy dough and the rich flavor from roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and melty cheese making these rolls the ultimate comfort bake.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
- 1 garlic head
- Sprinkle of salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 50g (¼ cup) butter
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Dough
- 90g (⅓ cup) warm milk
- 7g (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 200g (1½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 50g (½ cup) bread flour
- 20g (3 tbsp) milk powder (optional)
- 25g (2 tbsp) butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
Filling
- 200g (2 cups) mozzarella cheese
- Garlic butter (prepared above)
Egg Wash
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1 egg
How to Create Your Cheese Garlic Rolls
Step 1: Roast Garlic
Cut the top off a garlic head. Place in a ramekin, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, cover with foil, and roast at 160°C (320°F) for 2 hours until soft.
Step 2: Make Garlic Butter
Combine roasted garlic with softened butter, chopped parsley, and 2 tbsp of the reserved garlic oil. Blend together and set aside.
Step 3: Start the Dough
Mix warm milk, active dry yeast, and honey in a bowl. Let proof for about 10 minutes until frothy.
Step 4: Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, bread flour, sugar, milk powder, softened butter, salt, egg yolks, and the yeast mixture. Knead with a dough hook on medium speed for 15–20 minutes until soft and smooth.
Step 5: Proof the Dough
Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it rise in a warm place (about 29°C or 85°F) for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 6: Fill and Roll
Roll dough out to about ¼ cm (⅛ inch) thickness. Spread garlic butter evenly over dough and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Tightly roll the dough into a log.
Step 7: Cut and Second Proof
Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut the dough into 6 equal portions. Place rolls on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise another 30 minutes until puffy.
Step 8: Bake
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush rolls with beaten egg for shine. Bake 20–25 minutes, checking at 20 minutes for doneness.
Step 9: Finish and Serve
Remove from oven and brush with any leftover garlic butter. Sprinkle with extra parsley and serve warm.
My Best Tips for Cheese Garlic Rolls
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Proof the dough in a consistently warm, draft-free spot for ideal rise.
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Spread garlic butter all the way to the edges for maximum flavor.
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Use high-quality mozzarella for the best melty texture.
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Cut with dental floss for cleaner roll edges.
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Enjoy warm for optimal cheesiness.
Delicious Variations to Try
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Add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the garlic butter for extra depth.
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Swap mozzarella for cheddar or provolone for different flavors.
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Sprinkle parmesan or chili flakes over rolls before baking.
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Add minced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
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Drizzle with honey garlic sauce for something sweet and savory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prep the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Let the shaped rolls rise overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temp before baking.
Can I use instant yeast?
You can substitute but skip proofing and add directly to dry mix.
Can I make these rolls vegan?
Swap butter and milk for plant-based alternatives, and use vegan cheese.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Warm in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for a few minutes to revive texture.
Can I freeze them?
Bake and freeze cooled rolls, then thaw and rewarm when ready to serve.
How do I know when they’re done?
Bake until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
Print
Cheese Garlic Rolls
- Total Time: 180
- Yield: 6 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery rolls filled with melty mozzarella and aromatic roasted garlic butter golden on the outside, fluffy inside, and bursting with cozy, savory flavor.
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
1 whole head of garlic
Sprinkle of salt
3 tbsp olive oil
50 g (1/4 cup) butter
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Dough
90 g (1/3 cup) warm milk
7 g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 tbsp honey
200 g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
50 g (1/2 cup) bread flour
20 g (3 tbsp) milk powder (optional)
25 g (2 tbsp) butter
2 egg yolks
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
Filling
200 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella
Prepared garlic butter
Egg Wash
1 egg, beaten
Instructions
Roast garlic: Cut off top of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, salt, cover, and roast at 160°C (320°F) for 2 hours until very soft.
Make garlic butter: Mash roasted garlic, mix with butter, parsley, 2 tbsp garlic oil.
Activate yeast: Combine warm milk, yeast, honey—let sit 10 mins till foamy.
Prepare dough: Mix all flours, sugar, milk powder, butter, salt, egg yolks, and yeast mixture. Knead 15–20 mins to soft dough.
First proof: Place in greased bowl and rise 1.5 hours until doubled.
Fill & roll: Roll dough 1/4 cm (1/8 in) thick. Spread garlic butter and mozzarella evenly, roll tightly into a log.
Cut & second proof: Slice into 6 rolls, proof 30 mins.
Bake: Brush with egg, bake at 175°C (350°F) for 20–25 mins.
Finish: Brush hot rolls with garlic butter and more parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
Proof in a warm, draft-free place.
Use quality mozzarella for max stretch.
Don’t skip the roasted garlic step.
Slice logs with floss for tidy spirals.
Best fresh and hot from the oven.
- Prep Time: 35
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Bread, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (1/6 recipe)
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: cheese garlic rolls, cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella dinner rolls, garlic pull apart rolls, homemade bread recipe
