4-Ingredient Pull Apart Garlic Rolls (Frozen Roll Dough)

Four ingredients, 10 minutes of work, and a long rise while you make the rest of dinner.

Garlic bread is always a hit in our house, but I rarely have the time to make rolls from scratch. These pull apart garlic bread rolls solve the time crunch: warm, fluffy, buttery, and basically effortless. The idea struck while I was making my garlic butter pasta and thought, "what if this sauce went on bread?" Spoiler: magic. They're simple enough for a weeknight (just put them out to rise while you eat lunch) and cozy enough for your holiday table.

Key Ingredients

• Frozen roll dough: I like Rhodes frozen dough rolls, but use whatever frozen dough you like.
• Frozen garlic cubes: Find these in the freezer section near the frozen vegetables at most grocery stores, Target, and Trader Joe's.
• Butter: I use salted butter. You can use unsalted and add extra flaky salt on top.
• Flaky salt: I use Maldon salt, or another flaky salt you like.

How I Time These for Thanksgiving

I let these defrost and rise on the counter, in the pan, while I do my other prep and cooking. Depending on how warm your kitchen is, that takes 4 to 5 hours from frozen, so I start them in the morning.

When the turkey comes out of the oven, the rolls go in. While the turkey rests and gets carved, they bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. That way they're hot and fresh when everyone sits down.

How to Make Garlic Bread Rolls

Step 1: Make the garlic butter by melting the butter and garlic cubes together until combined. You'll use it three times, so set it aside. (Full tutorial: my garlic butter sauce.)

Step 2: Roll each frozen dough ball in the garlic butter and place it in a 9x13 ceramic dish. You'll use 20-24 balls, and a snug dish makes taller, fluffier rolls. Cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel and let them defrost and rise on the counter, 4-5 hours depending on your kitchen.

Step 3: Once they've risen, brush more garlic butter on top and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. For a different dough brand, follow its package directions.

Step 4: They're done when they're golden brown on top and cooked through in the center. Brush on one more layer of garlic butter and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Recipe Variations

• Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free dough.
• Make it cheesy: Roll each dough ball in grated Parmesan after the garlic butter. Sprinkle more Parmesan or shredded mozzarella over the top while they bake.
• Make it herby: Mix chopped herbs into the garlic butter and save some to garnish the baked rolls.
• Change the pan: Use a bundt pan for a garlicky monkey bread, or flatten the dough balls a bit and bake them in loaf pans for a pull apart garlic loaf. Baking times will vary, but the recipe is the same.

Serving Suggestions

• For Thanksgiving, we put everything on big platters and let people go for it. On the table with these rolls are my rosemary roasted carrots, soy vey green beans, sweet potato pie casserole, roasted sweet potatoes and the turkey.
• The rest of the year, these rolls are a great side for comfort food. Try them with spinach artichoke baked pasta, pesto salmon, creamy pesto pasta, homemade minestrone soup, or instead of pita with a big Detroit style Greek salad.

Recipe FAQs

Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you're up to in the kitchen!