Name: Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons melted butter; 1/2 cup milk; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon active-dry yeast; 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese; Flaky sea salt; 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fresh parsley; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

If you're craving a soft, buttery, and flavorful bite that melts in your mouth, you're going to adore this Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe. These little knots pack a punch of garlicky goodness wrapped in perfectly golden, tender dough—perfect for sharing or sneaking as you cook!

A close-up of seven golden brown garlic knots on a white plate, each knot showing a soft, fluffy texture with a shiny brushed butter glaze. The garlic knots are sprinkled on top with finely chopped green parsley and coarse white salt granules, adding a fresh and slightly crunchy detail. One garlic knot is lifted above the others, clearly showing the airy and tender interior with a light creamy color. The white plate sits on a white marbled surface with a small corner of a mustard yellow cloth visible in the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these garlic knots—they disappeared off the plate so fast, it was like magic! There's just something so comforting about lunching on soft bread infused with fragrant garlic butter.

Simple ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, making these a quick go-to snack.
Ultimate flavor: The garlic butter topping elevates these knots with rich, fresh flavors.
Soft yet crispy texture: Baked to golden perfection with that irresistible crust and tender inside.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether it's a family dinner, game night, or pasta sidekick, these knots always impress.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Gathering your ingredients ahead is key to baking these garlic knots with ease. Here’s a little insight into what makes each component shine and some tips for shopping smart.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of warm water, a few tablespoons of melted golden butter in a white bowl, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a small white bowl of amber honey, a small heap of beige active dry yeast granules on the side, a mound of fine white all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of flaky sea salt crystals, a small white bowl of pale garlic powder, a few sprigs of fresh bright green parsley, a small white bowl filled with freshly grated pale yellow Parmesan cheese, two whole clean white eggs, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Water: Acts as the base to hydrate your dough and activate the yeast properly.
Melted butter: Adds richness to the dough and keeps it tender while baking.
Milk: Enriches the dough, making it soft and a bit milky in flavor.
Honey: A natural sweetener that feeds the yeast and adds a slight touch of sweetness.
Active-dry yeast: The magic ingredient that makes the dough rise and become airy.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure and chewiness for those perfect knots.
Fine sea salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough without overpowering it.
Garlic powder: Gives a subtle garlic hit infused inside the dough itself.
Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty layer when sprinkled over the warm knots.
Flaky sea salt: Sprinkled on top for delightful bursts of saltiness and texture.
Salted butter: Essential for the rich and flavorful garlic butter glaze.
Finely-chopped fresh parsley: Brings freshness and a pop of color to the buttery topping.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about a Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe is just how adaptable it can be. Feel free to tweak flavors or add your favorite ingredients to make every batch uniquely yours!

Herb Variations: I love swapping fresh parsley in the garlic butter for a mix of rosemary and thyme when I’m craving a more woodsy, earthy note. It gives the knots a fragrant twist that pairs wonderfully with roasted dishes.
Cheesy Upgrade: Adding shredded mozzarella or a pinch of asiago cheese inside each knot before tying them is my go-to for cheesy garlic bread lovers. It melts beautifully for an extra gooey surprise!
Vegan-friendly version: Simply replace the milk and butter with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and vegan margarine. The knots still turn out soft and flavorful without missing a beat.
Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a little heat, stirring in some red pepper flakes into the garlic butter or sprinkling them on top before baking adds a delightful zing.
Seasonal Twist: During fall, I sometimes add roasted pumpkin puree or sweet potato to the dough for subtle sweetness and a beautiful orange color — it makes these garlic knots feel festive and comforting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe

A close-up of a soft, golden bread roll made up of five small rounded sections baked together to form a flower shape. The top has a shiny, buttery glaze with some coarse salt crystals and small green herb bits sprinkled all over, adding texture and color contrast. The bread looks light and fluffy with a slight crisp on the golden-brown spots where it browned more. A woman's hand is gently holding the bread roll from the side, and the background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gently Warm and Combine the Liquids

Start by combining the water and melted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then add in the milk and honey, stirring until everything’s mixed in smoothly. Pop this mixture into the microwave for 1 minute to warm it up, stir, and then continue for 15-second bursts until it reaches about 110°F — warm enough to wake up the yeast, but never hot. Using a digital thermometer here really helps to get it just right and ensures your dough will rise beautifully.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

Pour the warm liquid mixture into your stand mixer bowl and sprinkle the yeast evenly on top. Give it a quick swirl with a fork just to combine, then let it sit for 5 minutes. You’re looking for a foamy, bubbly surface — this means your yeast is happily waking up and ready to work its magic.

Step 3: Mix in the Dry Ingredients to Form Dough

Add 3 ½ cups of the all-purpose flour, the sea salt, and garlic powder into the yeast mixture. Use the dough hook attachment on medium-low speed to combine. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle in flour gradually, up to ½ cup more. The dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl but still feel slightly tacky to the touch. Then keep mixing on low for another 4 to 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth. Shape it into a ball and place it in a greased bowl.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Cover your bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for 15 minutes. This short rise helps it relax and puff up just enough for those soft, fluffy knots.

Step 5: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps the knots from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 6: Shape the Garlic Knots

Turn the dough out and gently roll it into a 16-inch log with an even thickness. Cut the log into 15 or 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 8-inch rope, then tie it into a neat little knot, tucking the ends under or leaving them out depending on your style. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, cover loosely with a kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 15 minutes. You’ll notice them puffing just a bit—that’s perfect!

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Remove the towel and pop the knots in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes until the tops turn a lovely light golden brown and the knots bake through. While they’re baking, whisk together the melted butter, chopped fresh parsley, and garlic powder to make your garlic butter.

Step 8: Brush with Garlic Butter and Finish

The moment the knots come out, transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack. Brush each knot generously with the fragrant garlic butter while they’re piping hot — this step locks in all that buttery garlic goodness. Then sprinkle evenly with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of flaky sea salt for a final burst of flavor and texture.

Step 9: Serve Warm and Enjoy!

Serve these irresistible garlic knots warm—perfect as a cozy appetizer or alongside your favorite pasta or salad. Trust me, they’ll be gone in no time!

Top Tip

Mastering the best Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe is all about attention to detail and little tricks that make your baking journey smoother and tastier.

Perfect Dough Warmth: I always use a digital thermometer to make sure the liquid mixture is exactly 110°F. This temperature wakes up your yeast just right—too hot and you risk killing it, too cold and it won’t activate properly.
Flour Gradually: When mixing the dough, avoid adding all the flour at once. I learned that adding flour little by little until the dough pulls away from the bowl but stays slightly sticky gives the softest knots.
Brush Immediately: Brushing the garlic butter right out of the oven lets the knots soak up every bit of that flavorful butter, making them irresistibly fragrant and crispy on the edges.
Don’t Skip the Rise: Letting the dough rise twice—before and after shaping—is crucial to getting those light, fluffy garlic knots instead of dense bread rolls.

How to Serve Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe

Seven knotted dough pieces are placed on a white marbled surface, each showing a smooth, slightly textured light brown dough twisted into a simple knot shape. In the upper left corner, a transparent glass jar filled with white flour holds a wooden spoon, and next to it, a white cloth with a blue grid pattern is partly folded. Some scattered flour is lightly dusted around the knots, adding a soft contrast to the clean marble. The scene suggests the dough is ready for baking, with natural light highlighting the textures and shapes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These garlic knots are delightfully enhanced with freshly-grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after brushing with garlic butter. For a fresh twist, add a touch of finely chopped parsley or even a light dusting of red pepper flakes to kick up the flavor a notch.

Side Dishes

Crispy Garlic Knots pair wonderfully with classic Italian dishes like spaghetti marinara, creamy fettuccine Alfredo, or a zesty Caesar salad. They also make an incredible appetizer alongside a bowl of warm tomato soup or served with a platter of antipasto for a crowd-pleasing starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover garlic knots, store them in an airtight container at room temperature where they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. This keeps their texture soft but delicious.

Freezing

To freeze your garlic knots, place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 1 month. You can freeze them either before baking (shape and then freeze) or after baking and cooling for easy future meals.

Reheating

Reheat frozen garlic knots in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crispy again. This revives their fresh-from-the-oven taste and texture beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dried yeast instead of active-dry yeast for this recipe?

Active-dry yeast is recommended because it activates well at the specified temperature (110°F). However, instant yeast can be used as a substitute—reduce the amount slightly and mix it directly into the dry ingredients. The dough may rise a bit faster.

Why do we need to let the dough rise twice in this Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe?

The first rise helps develop the gluten structure and flavor, while the second rise after shaping makes the knots light and fluffy with a tender crumb. Skipping either can result in tougher bread.

What if my dough is too sticky after adding 4 cups of flour?

It's normal for the dough to be slightly sticky. If it's excessively sticky and hard to handle, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it’s workable. Avoid adding too much flour to keep your knots soft and tender.

How can I make the garlic knots crispier?

For extra crispiness, bake the knots a few minutes longer until they achieve a deeper golden brown, or brush lightly with olive oil in addition to the garlic butter before baking.

Final Thoughts

There’s something utterly comforting about pulling warm, buttery, garlicky knots fresh from the oven — and this Crispy Garlic Knots Recipe really delivers. With just a handful of simple ingredients and some little tricks from the heart, you can create a batch that feels both rustic and special. Perfect for sharing with friends or savoring as a cozy snack, these knots have quickly become a favorite in my kitchen. I hope they find a warm spot on your table, too!