There's something magical about the aroma of garlic cheese rolls baking in the oven that instantly makes a house feel like home. As a passionate home baker who's tested countless variations, I'm thrilled to share my ultimate cheese garlic bread recipe that strikes the perfect balance between pillowy soft interiors and golden, crispy edges.
These garlic cheese rolls aren't just another bread recipe—they're an experience. Whether you're looking for easy garlic cheese rolls for a weeknight dinner or something special for entertaining guests, this versatile recipe delivers every time. Let's dive into creating these heavenly cheesy garlic buns that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Why This Garlic Cheese Rolls Recipe
Before we jump into the recipe, let me share why these garlic cheese rolls stand out from other garlic bread with cheese recipes you might have tried:
- The perfect cheese blend: Using both sharp cheddar and mozzarella garlic rolls creates that Instagram-worthy cheese pull
- Balanced flavors: The garlic butter mixture infuses every bite without overwhelming
- Adaptable method: Works great with homemade dough or store-bought (like Hawaiian roll garlic cheese bread)
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep in advance and bake when needed
Many garlic cheese roll recipes fall short by skimping on the garlic or using the wrong cheese ratio. After years of testing, I've solved these common problems to create truly irresistible cheesy garlic mozzarella rolls.
Jump to:
Ingredients
For the dough (or use store-bought for easy cheese buns):
- All-purpose flour
- Active dry yeast (for perfect garlic cheese rolls with yeast)
- Warm milk
- Sugar
- Butter, softened
- Eggs
- Salt
For the garlic cheese filling:
- Butter, softened (the base for perfect garlic butter bread)
- Cloves garlic, minced (more than most garlic cheese roll Kraft recipes call for!)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Italian seasoning
- Shredded cheese blend (combines the best of cheddar garlic rolls and mozzarella garlic rolls)
- Grated Parmesan (for that garlic parmesan rolls flavor boost)
- Salt
- Black pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Making the Dough (Skip if using store-bought for a recipe easy version)
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add softened butter, eggs, and the yeast mixture.
- Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Creating the Garlic Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheese mix with Parmesan.
Assembling Your Garlic Cheese Rolls
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 16×12 inches.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly across the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
- Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the garlic butter.
- Starting from the long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Cut into 12-15 even rolls (depending on how large you want your soft cheese rolls).
- Place rolls in a greased 9×13 baking dish, leaving some space between each roll.
- Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Baking to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the garlic cheese rolls are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Optional: brush with additional melted garlic butter right after baking for extra flavor.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving – if you can wait that long!
Substitutions
Whether you're dealing with dietary restrictions, missing ingredients, or just want to experiment with flavors, these garlic cheese rolls are incredibly adaptable. Here are some easy substitutions that won't compromise on taste:
Flour Options
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn't already include it.
- Whole Wheat: Replace up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a nuttier flavor and added fiber.
- Bread Flour: For even chewier garlic cheese rolls, substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour.
Cheese Variations
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based cheese alternatives that melt well, such as almond or cashew-based cheese.
- Different Cheese Blends: Try Gruyère for a nutty flavor, fontina for extra meltiness, or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Low-Fat Option: Reduced-fat cheese varieties work well, though they won't melt quite as luxuriously.
Variations
The beauty of these homemade cheese rolls is how versatile they are. Here are some exciting variations:
- Pull-apart party style: Arrange the rolls in a round pan to create an impressive garlic pull-apart bread centerpiece
- Italian herb upgrade: Add rosemary and thyme to create garlic herb cheese rolls
- Spicy kick: Mix in diced jalapeños for a zesty twist on the classic
- Breakfast version: Add crumbled bacon bits to transform them into morning-worthy savory garlic rolls
- Garlic knot style: Tie the dough into knots before adding toppings for cheesy garlic knots
Equipment For Garlic Cheese Rolls
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- 9×13-inch baking dish or pan
- Sharp knife or unflavored dental floss (for cutting rolls)
- Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap (to cover dough while rising)
- Small bowl (for garlic butter mixture)
- Pastry brush or spoon (for spreading butter)
- Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
Storage
I'd be happy to create a "What to Serve It With" section for the garlic cheese rolls recipe. Here it is:
What to Serve It With
These irresistible garlic cheese rolls are versatile enough to complement a wide variety of meals, making them the perfect side for almost any occasion. Here are some delicious pairing suggestions:
Main Dishes
- Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs - The rolls are perfect for sopping up that rich tomato sauce
- Hearty Beef Stew - The soft, cheesy rolls balance the robust flavors of the stew
- Roasted Chicken with Herbs - The garlic notes in both dishes create a harmonious flavor profile
- Creamy Tomato Soup - Transform dinner into a cozy café experience with this classic pairing
Fresh Salads
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad - The crisp vegetables provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, warm rolls
- Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing - The garlic in both the rolls and dressing creates a cohesive flavor theme
- Caprese Salad - The fresh tomatoes and mozzarella complement the cheesy garlic rolls beautifully
Top Tip
Room temperature ingredients are crucial! Cold eggs or milk can significantly slow yeast activity. Set your ingredients out 30 minutes before starting, and your dough will rise beautifully. For an even faster rise, create a proofing environment by preheating your oven to its lowest setting, then turning it off and placing your covered dough inside.
Grandmama's Magic Touch
My grandmother had a special way with these garlic cheese rolls that transformed them from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. Her secret? She'd add a pinch of nutmeg to the garlic butter mixture—a technique she brought from the old country that somehow amplifies the cheesy flavor while adding a warmth you can't quite identify.
"Bread needs to breathe," she'd tell me while working the dough with practiced hands. Instead of immediately adding all the flour, she'd hold back about a quarter cup, incorporating it only if truly needed. This made her cheesy garlic buns impossibly soft, even days later.
When making Hawaiian roll garlic cheese bread variations, she'd brush the tops with honey butter right after baking for a sweet-savory balance that had everyone requesting her recipe.
I still remember the way our kitchen smelled on Sunday mornings—that intoxicating aroma of garlic cheese bread recipe magic in the making. Try her nutmeg trick and let me know if it doesn't make these the best garlic cheese rolls you've ever tasted!
FAQ
How to make cheese garlic bread at home?
Making cheese garlic bread at home is simple! Slice a baguette or Italian loaf lengthwise, spread a mixture of softened butter, minced garlic, herbs, and grated cheese over both halves. Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and edges are golden brown. For a quicker version, use the garlic cheese rolls recipe above but shape the dough into a loaf instead of individual rolls.
How to make cheese rolls?
To make basic cheese rolls, prepare a simple yeast dough, roll it out into a rectangle, sprinkle with your favorite cheese, roll up the dough, slice into portions, and bake until golden. The key to exceptional cheese rolls is using freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded and allowing proper rise time for fluffy texture. See the detailed garlic cheese rolls recipe above for specific measurements and techniques.
What is a garlic roll?
A garlic roll is a bread roll infused with garlic flavor, either by incorporating garlic into the dough itself or by brushing the rolls with garlic butter before, during, or after baking. Garlic rolls can be plain or include additional flavors like herbs, cheese, or both. They're typically served as a side dish with pasta, soups, or salads, or as an appetizer with dipping sauces.
What kind of cheese to use for garlic bread?
The best cheeses for garlic bread melt well and have complementary flavors. Mozzarella provides that classic stretch, while sharper cheeses like cheddar or parmesan add depth of flavor. For the ultimate garlic cheese rolls, use a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan. Other excellent options include provolone, fontina, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack. Avoid very hard cheeses or those with very high moisture content as they won't melt properly.
Ready to Make These Garlic Cheese Rolls?
These garlic cheese rolls have graced my table for countless family gatherings, weeknight dinners, and special occasions. There's something wonderfully comforting about pulling apart a warm, cheesy roll that brings people together around the table. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or add your own creative twist, I'd love to hear how these garlic cheese bread rolls turned out for you!
Drop a comment below sharing your experience or tag me in your cheese garlic rolls creations on social media. And if you enjoyed these, you might also love my Cream Cheese Chicken , Chicken Parm Sandwich , or Mushroom Arancini for more crowd-pleasing favorites. Happy baking!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Cheese Rolls
Garlic Cheese Rolls
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl (For combining dough ingredients)
- Rolling pin (To roll out the dough)
- 9x13 baking dish (Greased, for baking the rolls)
- Sharp knife/floss (For cutting dough into even slices)
- Pastry brush or spoon (To spread the garlic butter mixture)
- Clean kitchen towel (To cover the dough while rising)
- Measuring cups/spoons (For accurate ingredient measurement)
- Spatula or wooden spoon (For mixing the garlic butter filling)
- Small bowl (For preparing the garlic butter mixture)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour - Or use store-bought dough
- 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk - Around 110°F
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup butter - Softened
- 2 eggs - Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Garlic Cheese Filling
- ½ cup butter - Softened
- 6 garlic cloves - Minced
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley - Chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded cheese - Mozzarella + sharp cheddar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar and let sit until foamy.
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add softened butter, eggs, and yeast mixture.
- Mix and knead dough until smooth and elastic.
- Let dough rise in a greased bowl until doubled.
- Mix butter, garlic, parsley, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Combine shredded cheese with Parmesan.
- Roll dough into a large rectangle.
- Spread garlic butter over dough.
- Sprinkle cheese mixture on top.
- Roll up dough tightly into a log.
- Cut the dough into rolls.
- Place rolls in a greased baking dish.
- Let rolls rise again until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
- Optionally brush with more garlic butter.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
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