These easy garlic knots are soft, buttery, garlicky, and completely irresistible. Made with premade pizza dough, they come together fast and taste like the best part of ordering pizza—without the wait. If you’re looking for a quick snack, an easy side, or a kid-approved win, this easy garlic knots recipe delivers every single time.
Why I Make These Garlic Knots
Garlic knots are one of those foods that sneak their way into your life without you realizing it. You don’t order them on purpose at first. They just come with the pizza. And then suddenly, you’re disappointed if they don’t show up.
That’s exactly how this recipe started in my house.
Every time we order pizza, my daughter is locked in on the garlic knots. Not the pizza. Not the sauce. The knots. And honestly? I get it. Soft bread, buttery garlic, herbs, a little cheese—it’s everything comforting wrapped into one bite. So one day I thought, Why am I outsourcing this joy when I can make easy garlic knots with pizza dough at home?
I wasn’t trying to be fancy or make a bakery-level dough. I just wanted quick garlic knots that tasted good and didn’t require a whole production. And that’s when premade pizza dough became the hero of the story.
This recipe is my answer to Italian nights, last-minute snacks, kids who suddenly appear with friends, or those moments when dinner needs “something on the side.” These are fast garlic knots, forgiving, low-stress, and honestly kind of impossible to mess up. Mine rarely look like perfect knots—and that has never stopped anyone from eating them.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Garlic Knots Recipe
If you’re searching for an easy garlic knots recipe, this one checks all the boxes. It’s simple, fast, flexible, and made with ingredients you probably already have—or can grab in one grocery run.
First, these are easy garlic knots with pizza dough, which means no yeast, no rise time, and no stress. You open the can, slice, twist, brush, bake. That’s it. Pillsbury pizza dough works beautifully here, making this a true easy garlic knots with Pillsbury situation that even beginner cooks can handle confidently.
Second, the flavor punches way above its effort level. Melted butter, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan create that classic pizza-shop garlic knot taste. The butter soaks into the dough, the garlic mellows as it bakes, and the edges get just crisp enough to keep things interesting.
Third—and this matters—they’re versatile. These pizza dough garlic knots work as:
- A snack on their own
- A side for pasta or pizza
- A kid-friendly party food
- A “just because” comfort bite
Whether you call them pizza knots, quick garlic knots, or Pillsbury garlic knots, they all lead to the same thing: warm, buttery bread that disappears fast.
And maybe best of all? You don’t need them to look perfect. Crooked knots, messy twists, or barely-there bows all bake up delicious. Flavor wins every time.
Ingredients for Easy Garlic Knots
- 1 can premade pizza dough
- 5–6 tablespoons salted butter (plus more if needed)
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2–3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste (add last)
How to Make Easy Garlic Knots
- Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Garlic Butter
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the grated garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan. Taste and add salt only if needed.
- Slice the Dough
Unroll the premade pizza dough onto a flat surface. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut it into 12 even strips.
- Brush with Flavor
Brush each dough strip generously with the garlic butter mixture, making sure herbs and cheese are evenly distributed.
- Tie the Knots
Tie each strip into a loose knot and tuck the ends underneath. Don’t worry about perfection.
- Bake
Place knots on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining garlic butter. Bake for 12–15 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Finish and Serve
Optional but recommended: brush warm knots with extra butter and sprinkle with Parmesan or parsley before serving.
What to Serve with Garlic Knots
These quick and easy garlic knots made with pizza dough are meant to be dipped and devoured. Serve them with:
- Easy Meaty Lasagna
- Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
- Epic Vegetable Ratatouille
- Pizza Pasta Dinner
- Saucy Baked Feta and Chickpeas
- Or with a side of Quick Marinara Sauce for a snack plate!
They’re also fantastic straight off the tray. No judgment.
FAQ: Easy Garlic Knots
Yes, if you want a cheesier version, mozzarella works best. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the garlic knots during the last few minutes of baking so it melts without over-browning. This turns them into cheesy pizza-style garlic knots while keeping the recipe quick and simple.
Absolutely. Air fry garlic knots at 375°F for 6–8 minutes, depending on size. Work in batches and check early—air fryers cook faster than ovens. This is one of the fastest ways to make quick garlic knots with pizza dough.
Brush the garlic butter on lightly and evenly rather than soaking the dough. Salted butter, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning already add richness, so restraint keeps the garlic knots flavorful without feeling heavy.
Yes. Baked garlic knots freeze well. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Classic marinara is always a favorite, but garlic knots also pair well with pizza sauce, Alfredo, roasted tomato sauce, or even a creamy garlic dip. They’re versatile enough to serve as a snack, appetizer, or pizza-night side.
Storage, Make-Ahead, and Reheating
Make Ahead
These easy garlic knots are perfect for prepping in advance. You can shape the pizza dough knots up to 24 hours ahead of time, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. When it’s time, brush with the garlic butter and bake as directed. This makes them ideal for busy weeknights, pizza nights, or entertaining without last-minute stress.
If you want to prep even further ahead, you can also mix the garlic butter in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring it to room temperature or gently re-melt before brushing.
Storage
Once baked, garlic knots should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Refrigeration helps preserve freshness, especially if you’ve brushed them generously with butter.
For the best texture, allow refrigerated garlic knots to come to room temperature before reheating.
Freezing
Garlic knots freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. This is a great option if you want quick garlic knots on hand for snacks or last-minute sides.
To reheat from frozen, do not thaw—reheat directly in the oven for best results.
Reheating
For the best texture and flavor, reheat garlic knots in the oven or air fryer, not the microwave.
- Oven: Reheat at 350°F for 5–8 minutes until warmed through.
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3–5 minutes for crisp edges and a soft center.
If the knots look dry, lightly brush with melted butter before reheating to refresh the garlic flavor and keep them tender.
Final Thoughts
These easy garlic knots are one of those recipes that quietly earn their place in the regular rotation. They don’t ask much of you—no fancy shaping, no long rising times, no stress—and yet they show up like you did something. That’s my favorite kind of cooking. Whether you’re making quick garlic knots for pizza night, a last-minute snack for hungry kids, or an easy side using pizza dough you already had in the fridge, this recipe always delivers.
I especially love that these garlic knots don’t need to be perfect. Twisted, knotted, or slightly chaotic—they all bake up buttery, garlicky, and comforting. That’s why this easy garlic knots recipe works so well for real life. It’s forgiving, fast, and flexible, which is exactly what we need on busy days when we still want something homemade.
If you give these pizza dough garlic knots a try, I’d love to hear how you served them—on their own, with marinara, or alongside your favorite pizza night spread. Leave a comment and let me know how they turned out in your kitchen.
And if you enjoy approachable recipes like this, be sure to subscribe to the blog so you never miss a new one. Subscribers get cozy, family-friendly recipes, practical kitchen tips, and printable freebies sent straight to their inbox.
Lastly, if this recipe made your evening a little easier or your table a little happier, consider buying me a coffee. Every little bit helps support this space and keeps these recipes coming—and I appreciate you more than you know.
Here’s to easy wins, buttery garlic knots, and meals that don’t need to be perfect to be good.
– Camille
Easy Garlic Knots (with Premade Pizza Dough)
12
servings10
minutes12
minutes25
minutesSoft, golden garlic knots brushed with butter and herbs—quick to make using premade pizza dough.
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Ingredients
1 can premade pizza dough
5 to 6 tablespoons salted butter (plus more if needed)
3 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste (add last)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- Grate or finely mince garlic directly into the melted butter.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Taste the mixture. If it’s missing salt, add it now—but keep in mind that salted butter, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan all bring their own salt.
- Unroll the premade pizza dough into a flat rectangle.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the dough into 12 strips.
- Brush each strip with the garlic butter mixture, making sure chunks of cheese and herbs are evenly distributed.
- Tie each strip into a knot, tucking the ends underneath. Don’t worry if they don’t look perfect—this is about flavor, not symmetry!
- Place knots on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the remaining garlic butter. If your bowl runs low, melt a little more butter and stir it into the mixture to keep brushing.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the knots are puffed, golden, and lightly crisp on the edges.
- Optional: brush warm knots with more melted butter and sprinkle with additional Parmesan or parsley before serving.
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