These buttery cheese garlic rolls are the ultimate comfort food—soft, fluffy, and loaded with melted mozzarella and rich roasted garlic butter. Perfectly golden and irresistibly cheesy, they make a show-stopping appetizer or side for any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth soft
• Packed with roasted garlic butter and bubbly cheese
• Ideal for parties, brunches, or cozy nights in
• Easily customizable with different cheeses or herbs
• Great make-ahead or freezer-friendly option

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Garlic Butter:

• 1 whole garlic head
• 30 g olive oil
• 50 g butter
• Sprinkle of salt
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Dough:

• 90 g warm milk
• 7 g active dry yeast
• 25 g honey
• 200 g all-purpose flour
• 50 g bread flour
• 20 g milk powder (optional)
• 25 g butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar

Filling:

• 200 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Reserved garlic butter

Egg Wash:

• 1 whole egg

Directions

1. Roast the Garlic: Trim the top off a whole garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast covered at 160°C (320°F) for 2 hours. Let cool.
2. Make Garlic Butter: Mix softened roasted garlic with butter, chopped parsley, and 2 tbsp garlic oil.
3. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and honey. Let sit until frothy (about 10 minutes).
4. Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, bread flour, milk powder, sugar, salt, butter, egg yolks, and yeast mixture. Knead with dough hook (or by hand) until smooth and elastic (15–20 minutes).
5. First Proof: Cover and let dough rise in a warm place (29°C / 85°F) for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until doubled.
6. Roll and Fill: Roll out dough to about ¼ cm thickness. Spread garlic butter over the dough and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella.
7. Shape Rolls: Roll into a log and slice into 6 equal pieces using dental floss or a knife.
8. Second Proof: Arrange rolls in a baking pan, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
9. Bake: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Brush rolls with egg wash and bake for 20–25 minutes (check after 20 minutes).
10. Finish: Once out of the oven, brush with remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Servings and timing

• Yield: 6 garlic cheese rolls
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes garlic roasting)
• Total time: 2 hours 45 minutes (excluding proofing)

Variations

• Use cheddar, gouda, or parmesan instead of mozzarella
• Add cooked spinach or chopped jalapeños to the filling for extra flavor
• Replace parsley with rosemary or thyme
• For egg-free, sub 1 egg with 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• Try air frying at 160°C (320°F) for 20 minutes

storage/reheating

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, bake at 175°C (350°F) for 5–8 minutes. For longer storage, freeze baked rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat as above.

FAQs

How do I store leftover garlic rolls?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes! You can use cheddar, gouda, parmesan, or any combination you prefer.

How do I know if the dough is properly proofed?

It should double in size and look soft and puffy. This usually takes about 1.5 hours.

Can I freeze garlic cheese rolls?

Yes, freeze them after baking for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven.

How do I reheat garlic cheese rolls?

Reheat in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 5–8 minutes or until warm.

Why are my rolls dense?

Most likely due to under-kneading or under-proofing. Ensure the dough is well-kneaded and fully risen.

Can I add herbs to the dough?

Absolutely. Rosemary or thyme are great options to mix into the dough.

Is it necessary to use both all-purpose and bread flour?

No, but the mix gives the rolls both softness and structure. All-purpose flour alone will work in a pinch.

Can I make the dough by hand?

Yes. It will take longer (20–25 minutes of kneading), but it works just as well.

Do I need to roast the garlic?

Yes, roasting transforms the garlic into a rich, sweet, spreadable base for the butter.

Conclusion

Buttery cheese garlic rolls are the perfect mix of rich, cheesy filling and soft, golden bread. Whether you’re making them for a gathering, a cozy dinner side, or just a special treat, these rolls are bound to become a favorite. Soft, warm, and savory with every bite

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