There’s something so comforting about the aroma of freshly baked garlic bread — and these Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough bring that magic right to your kitchen! Whether you’re using leftover pizza dough or making it from scratch, these golden, buttery knots are soft, fluffy, and bursting with garlicky flavor.
I often make these for dinner or as a side with pasta and soup, and my family absolutely loves them. The best part? You only need a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes to make these warm, homemade garlic knots — perfect for any meal or occasion.
Looking for related bread recipes to make quick dinner? Check out No Knead Dinner rolls, Masala Pizza, Calzone, Pull-apart pizza bites, and, bread naan.
The rich, buttery, and garlicky taste of golden brown knots pairs wonderfully with Marinara Sauce, and I particularly enjoy it alongside Spinach Artichoke Dip.
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Jump to:
- What are Garlic Knots?
- Garlic Knots vs. Garlic Bread – What’s the Difference?
- Why You'll 💛 This Garlic Knots Recipe
- Garlic Knots Ingredients
- How to Make Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough
- Pro Tips for Perfect Garlic Knots
- How to Store & Freeze?
- How To Serve Garlic Knots?
- FAQS
- More With Pizza Dough
- Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough | Easy Homemade Recipe
What are Garlic Knots?
Garlic knots are small pieces of pizza dough that are tied into a knot, baked until golden, and brushed with a flavorful mix of melted butter, garlic, and herbs. They’re soft, fluffy on the inside, and slightly crisp on the outside — like bite-sized garlic bread!
Originally created in New York pizzerias to use up leftover pizza dough, garlic knots quickly became a beloved side dish and appetizer. Today, they’re served with marinara sauce, pasta, soups, or enjoyed on their own as a warm, buttery snack.
Garlic Knots vs. Garlic Bread – What’s the Difference?
While both garlic knots and garlic bread are made with dough, butter, and garlic, the main difference lies in their shape, texture, and baking style.
- Garlic knots are made from pizza dough that’s rolled into strips, tied into knots, baked, and brushed with garlic butter and herbs. They’re soft, chewy, and bite-sized, perfect as a snack or side dish.
- Garlic bread, on the other hand, is usually made from French or Italian loaf sliced open, spread with garlic butter, and toasted or baked. It has a crustier texture and is often served as a side with pasta or soups.
In short — garlic bread gives you crispy slices, while garlic knots deliver soft, buttery bites of garlicky goodness that melt in your mouth!
Why You'll 💛 This Garlic Knots Recipe
- 🧄 Simple & quick – Made with just a few pantry ingredients and leftover pizza dough.
- 🍞 Soft, fluffy, and buttery – Each knot is golden outside and pillowy inside.
- 👨👩👧 Family favorite – Everyone loves these garlicky bites; they disappear fast at dinner!
- 🍽️ Versatile side dish – Perfect with pasta, soup, or served as a snack with tea.
- 🕒 Ready in under 30 minutes – Easy enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests.
- 💕 Full of homemade warmth – The aroma of garlic butter fills the kitchen and feels comforting every single time.
Garlic Knots Ingredients
Creating garlic knots from pizza dough is incredibly easy.
You have two options for preparation:
- Use store-bought pizza dough
- Make your own soft and fluffy pizza dough from scratch.
In this recipe, I will guide you through the step-by-step process of making garlic knots with homemade pizza dough. Now, let’s take a look at the ingredients. For the complete recipe, please refer to the recipe card or video located at the end of this post.
Advice: You can use the leftover pizza dough to make calzone pizza, dinner rolls, pizza poppers, and a variety of other dishes that uses this dough. Prepare it and keep it on hand to enhance your dining experience.
For Pizza Dough
- Active Dry Yeast – Used for rising; proof for 10 minutes before mixing. (If using instant yeast, skip proofing.)
- Sugar – Helps activate the yeast and adds a slight hint of sweetness.
- Water – Added gradually to form a soft, smooth dough.
- All-Purpose Flour – The base ingredient for soft, fluffy garlic knots.
- Salt – Enhances flavor and balances the dough.
- Oil – Adds moisture and helps the dough puff up nicely during baking.
For Garlic Butter Topping
- Salted Butter – 1 Tbsp
Adds richness and helps coat the knots for that irresistible buttery shine. - Garlic – ½ teaspoon (minced or crushed)
Gives the knots their signature garlicky aroma and taste. - Cilantro – 1 teaspoon (finely chopped)
Adds a touch of freshness and color. - Oregano – ⅓ Tsp
Brings in that classic Italian flavor. - Sesame Seeds – 2 teaspoon (optional)
Sprinkle on top for a nutty crunch and a bakery-style finish.
How to Make Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough
Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture
- In a bowl, combine active dry yeast, sugar, and lukewarm water.
- Stir gently and let it proof for 10 minutes until frothy. (If using instant yeast, skip proofing.)
Step 2: Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, salt, oil, and the proofed yeast mixture.
- Mix everything together, then knead for about 5 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and rest the dough for 2 hours in a warm place until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Shape the Knots
- After 2 hours, punch down the dough to release air.
- Knead again for 5 minutes, then divide into small portions.
- Roll each portion into a long rope-like cylinder and tie it into a knot shape.
- Arrange all knots on a lined baking tray, cover, and proof for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Add Garlic Butter Topping
- Brush each knot generously with garlic butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
Step 5: Bake the Garlic Knots
- Preheat oven to 220°C (428°F).
- Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
- Once baked, brush again with warm garlic butter for extra flavor.
- Serve hot and enjoy your soft, fluffy, and aromatic homemade garlic knots!
Pro Tips for Perfect Garlic Knots
- Don’t tie the dough too tightly – Tight knots can become hard around the edges when baked.
- Keep the knots slightly loose for a soft, fluffy, and chewy texture.
- Allow proper proofing – Rest the shaped knots for 30 minutes to 1 hour for the best rise and texture.
- Add steam while baking – Place a glass or bowl of hot water in the oven during baking to keep the knots moist and extra soft.
- Use pizza dough – You can easily prepare these knots using leftover or homemade pizza dough.
- Maintain oven temperature – Bake at 200°C to 220°C (392°F–428°F) for perfect golden results.
- Monitor baking time – Every oven works differently, so keep an eye on your knots to prevent overbaking.
How to Store & Freeze?
Storing at Room Temperature
- Let the garlic knots cool completely before storing.
- Place in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap.
- They stay fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature.
Refrigerating
- Wrap cooled garlic knots in foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
- Can last for up to 5 days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore softness and crispiness.
Freezing
- Cool the garlic knots completely.
- Wrap each knot individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- To reheat, bake directly from frozen at 180–200°C (350–392°F) for 8–10 minutes, or until warmed through.
💡 Tip: Brush with a little extra garlic butter before reheating to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven flavor and softness.
How To Serve Garlic Knots?
Garlic knots are versatile and can complement a wide variety of meals. Here are some serving ideas:
With Sauces
- Classic marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
- With cheese sauce for a cheesy, indulgent twist.
- Honey garlic sauce for a sweet-savory flavor.
- Peppercorn sauce — pairs wonderfully when serving with steak.
With Soups & Stews
- Garlic knots go perfectly with cream of mushroom soup, vegetable stew, or cream-based soups.
- Great as a side for curries or hearty stews.
With Main Dishes
- Serve alongside oven-baked chicken or roasted vegetables.
- Pair with Potato Gratin, Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pasta, mashed potatoes, or hot honey carrots for a complete meal.
Simple Serving
- Enjoy a few garlic knots on their own with a side of coleslaw along with house sauce for a light snack.
- Brush with a bit of extra garlic butter before serving to enhance flavor and aroma.
💡 Tip: Warm garlic knots slightly before serving — it makes the bread soft, buttery, and perfect for dipping!
FAQS
Yes! Store-bought pizza dough works perfectly. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping the knots.
Don’t tie the knots too tightly.
Allow proper proofing (30 minutes to 1 hour).
Bake at the right temperature (200–220°C / 392–428°F).
Optional: Place a glass of hot water in the oven for extra moisture.
Yes! Cool the baked knots completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
Oven: 180–200°C (350–392°F) for 5–10 minutes.
Air Fryer: 3–5 minutes at medium heat.
Brush with extra garlic butter for the best flavor.
Yes! You can shape the knots and refrigerate them unbaked for up to 24 hours. Bake them fresh when ready.
Absolutely! Try adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the garlic butter. You can also sprinkle parmesan or chili flakes for extra flavor.
It features a golden, buttery crust on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy on the inside, just like any other bread. The knotted sections are small yet crusty and chewy in flavor. The garlicky essence of the butter enhances its appeal, providing a delightful taste with every bite.
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Garlic Knots with Pizza Dough | Easy Homemade Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 150 ml Water
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Oil
- Garlic Butter Topping:
- 1 tablespoon Salted Butter
- ½ teaspoon Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Cilantro
- ⅓ teaspoon Oregano
- 2 teaspoon Seseme
Instructions
Preparation of Pizza Dough
- In a deep bowl, add active dry yeast, sugar and luke warm water.
- Mix well.
- Cover and rest the dough for 10 minutes to rise.
- Now in a same bowl, add all purpose flour, salt and oil.
- Mix well to make a soft dough.
- Cover and Rise the Dought
- Now cover the dough and keep it on warm place for 2 hours to rise the dough.
- After 4 hours, punch the dough to release air and knead for 5 minutes to make soft texture.
Prepare Garlic Knots
- Distribute the dough to make long rolls.
- Shape the Knots: Take the small portion of the dough and roll it on flat board to make it long.
- Now hold the to edges and make a knot as shown in video (01:52 - 01:58)
- Make all the knots and place it on greased baking tray.
- Now cover the garlic knots for 30 minutes to rise.
- Preheat the oven at 220°C or 428°F.
- Prepare the Topping: In a bowl, add butter, grated garlic, cilantro and oregano.
- Mix well.
- Apply the topping on proofed garlic knots.
- Sprinke sesame. (optional)
- Place the baking tray in preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, the garlic knots will be ready.
- Brush up with garlic butter and serve!
Video
Notes
- If you are using ready-made pizza dough then skip the dough making steps.
- You can freeze the dough for 3 months if you want to store for later use.
- You can use garlic powder on the place of grated garlic.
- Don't make a tight knot otherwise the areas around the knot will be harder while baking.
- Loose knots are more soft and chewy as compare to tight knots.
- 30 to 01 hours of proofing can give you the best result.
- If you place a glass of hot boiling water during baking the knots then it will give you moist and extremely soft knots.
Ayesha
Soft and fluffy Garlic Knots.. Simple and easy to make! Good recipe for dinner...