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Garlic dough balls being served with tongs from a baking dish.

Garlic Dough Balls

Jennifer Ryan
Garlic dough balls are soft, golden, and brushed with rich garlic butter. A fun homemade side for pasta, pizza nights, or sharing.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 42 Dough balls
Calories 126 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

For the Dough Balls

For the Garlic Butter Topping

Instructions
 

  • Add the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer.
    2 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons instant yeast, ¼ cup granulated sugar
    A mixture of yeast and water bubbling in a metal bowl.
  • Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, until it smells slightly yeasty and looks active.
  • Add the lightly beaten egg, olive oil, and salt to the bowl.
    1 tablespoon salt, 1 large egg, ¼ cup olive oil
    A mixture of yeast, water, and oil bubbling in a mixing bowl.
  • With the dough hook running on low speed, add the bread flour one cup at a time.
    7 ¾ cups bread flour
  • Continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
    A bowl of dough rising, ready for making garlic dough balls.
  • Pinch off a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball. It should feel soft with only a slight sticky residue on your fingers. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, a few tablespoons at a time.
  • Knead the dough for about 8 minutes, until smooth, soft, and slightly tacky.
  • Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to relax.
  • Lightly flour your work surface and turn out the dough.
    A round ball of garlic dough resting on a floured surface.
  • Divide the dough into about 42 equal pieces, depending on the size you want. For more even dough balls, use a kitchen scale.
  • Shape each piece into a smooth ball by pulling the edges into the center.
  • Place the dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    A tray filled with evenly shaped dough balls ready for baking.
  • Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
  • Let the dough balls rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes, or until puffy.
    A tray filled with neatly arranged, uncooked garlic dough balls ready for baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C. If your oven runs hot, reduce the temperature to 375°F / 190°C.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and a splash of water to make the egg wash.
    1 large egg, 1 splash water
  • Lightly brush the tops of the dough balls with the egg wash.
    Close-up of soft, shiny garlic dough balls arranged in a grid pattern.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
    A tray of golden-brown garlic dough balls arranged neatly in rows.
  • The internal temperature should reach 190-195°F when fully baked.
  • Transfer the dough balls to a wire rack and let them cool before adding the topping.
  • Preheat the oven again to 400°F / 200°C.
  • Transfer the baked dough balls to a high-sided baking dish or roasting dish. This helps keep the garlic butter from escaping as they bake.
    A tray of golden-brown garlic dough balls arranged in a grid pattern.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir together the unsalted butter, minced garlic, dried parsley, garlic powder, sea salt, and olive oil until well combined.
    ½ cup unsalted butter, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Spread the garlic butter mixture over the baked dough balls.
    Garlic dough balls topped with a creamy herb mixture in a baking dish.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, until the garlic butter has melted over the dough balls.
  • Serve warm.
    A garlic dough ball being lifted with tongs, showcasing its fluffy interior and golden crust.

Notes

Tips and Tricks
  • Check the yeast before making the dough. It should smell yeasty and look active after sitting with the warm water and sugar.
  • The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, not dry. Add extra flour only a few tablespoons at a time if needed.
  • Use a kitchen scale if you want evenly sized dough balls. This helps them bake at the same speed.
  • Let the dough balls rise until puffy before baking. This gives them a softer texture.
  • Use a high-sided dish for the garlic butter bake. It helps keep the melted butter in the dish instead of spilling over.
  • Cool the dough balls before adding the topping so they are easier to transfer and coat.
  • Serve the garlic dough balls warm for the best texture and flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 199mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 81IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.3mg
Keywords bread, bread roll, dough, dough balls, garlic, garlic bread, garlic butter, homemade bread, pull apart bread
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