Description

These Cheesy Garlic Butter Parmesan Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and packed with rich flavors of garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for serving alongside any meal, these rolls are made from scratch with easy-to-find ingredients and baked to golden perfection with a crispy, cheesy topping.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F is ideal for activating yeast)
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp instant yeast (SAF-Instant yeast recommended)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, about 70°F)
4 cups all-purpose flour (lightly spooned and leveled)

For the Topping:

6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
3 garlic cloves (freshly grated)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
More kosher salt (for sprinkling before baking)
1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for color and freshness)

Instructions

Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm water (110°F), instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir and let stand for about 5 minutes until creamy and the yeast is activated, essential for fluffy rolls.
Make and Knead the Dough: Add room temperature unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients combine, then increase to medium speed and knead until smooth and elastic, approximately 5 minutes. The dough will make a slapping sound against the bowl when ready.
Let the Dough Rise: Remove the bowl from the mixer, cover with a dish towel, and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 20 to 30 minutes. Use the longer time if the kitchen is cooler, placing near a warm oven helps.
Prepare Garlic Butter and Baking Pans: While dough rises, melt butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Add grated garlic and cook until fragrant, avoiding browning. Brush half of this garlic butter on the bottom and sides of two cake pans or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Reserve the rest for later use.
Shape and Arrange the Dough Balls: Turn risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a smooth ball. Cut into 16 equal pieces and roll each into balls. Arrange in the prepared pans coated with garlic butter.
Second Rise and Bake Rolls: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Let dough balls rise near the warm oven for 15 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes until tops start turning golden. Remove and brush rolls generously with reserved garlic butter; sprinkle Parmesan cheese and a light sprinkle of kosher salt over them. Return to oven and bake another 3 to 5 minutes until deep golden and fully cooked.
Finish and Serve the Rolls: Remove baked rolls, optionally sprinkle chopped parsley for color and freshness. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack or serving platter. Best served the same day for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

Water temperature is critical; 110°F activates the yeast without killing it.
Use instant yeast for a quick and reliable rise.
Do not brown the garlic in butter to avoid bitterness.
For best texture, rolls should be eaten fresh but can be reheated gently.
Optional parsley adds freshness and appealing color to the finished rolls.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheesy garlic butter rolls, parmesan dinner rolls, homemade bread rolls, garlic butter bread recipe, soft dinner rolls