Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots Recipe

When it comes to comforting and indulgent recipes, few things hit the spot like fresh, homemade bread. Whether served as a side dish, an appetizer, or a snack, bread can elevate any meal with its warm, soft texture and irresistible aroma. One such creation is the Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots, a simple yet indulgent dish that combines the best of both worlds: buttery, garlicky knots of crescent dough with a melty, gooey center of cheese.

These cheesy garlic knots are the perfect fusion of convenience and flavor, offering the warm, comforting goodness of freshly baked bread with an added twist of delicious, melted cheese inside. The aroma alone will have everyone flocking to the kitchen as soon as you pop them in the oven. But the magic of these knots doesn’t just lie in the cheese and garlic—they’re also an absolute breeze to make. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you can enjoy homemade cheesy garlic knots that rival any pizzeria or bakery creation.

The Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or even as a fun and crowd-pleasing appetizer at your next party. They’re ideal for pairing with pasta dishes, serving alongside soups, or simply as a snack to munch on throughout the day. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner or looking to impress guests with your culinary skills, these garlic knots will leave everyone craving more.

Beyond their delicious taste and versatility, cheesy garlic knots are also a great recipe to make together with friends or family. You can customize the cheese fillings, add herbs, or drizzle them with your favorite sauces. It’s an easy recipe that leaves plenty of room for creativity and customization.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the best Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots you’ve ever tasted—from ingredient selection and preparation tips to step-by-step instructions. Let’s dive into the ingredients and the essential techniques that will make these cheesy garlic knots a new favorite in your baking repertoire.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots involves a few simple steps that come together to create an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The process is straightforward, so you can have fresh, warm garlic knots ready in just a matter of minutes. Let’s dive into the detailed steps to make these cheesy delights.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Before you begin preparing the ingredients, it’s essential to preheat your oven. A hot oven ensures that your cheesy garlic knots bake evenly and turn golden brown and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and gooey on the inside.

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

• If you’re using a convection oven, consider lowering the temperature by about 10-15 degrees to avoid over-baking.

While the oven is heating up, you can begin preparing the dough and garlic butter.

Step 2: Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough

The next step is to unroll and cut the crescent dough. The dough will form the base of your garlic knots, so it’s important to handle it carefully. You can either leave the dough as it comes, or for a more uniform shape, cut it into squares to help create the knots.

Instructions:

1. Unroll the Crescent Roll Dough:

   • Open the can of crescent roll dough and unroll it onto a clean surface.

   • You’ll notice the dough is already pre-scored into triangles, which is perfect for creating knots.

2. Separate the Triangles:

   • Gently separate the dough along the perforated lines so you have individual triangular pieces.

   • Each triangle will form one knot, so you should have 8 individual dough pieces from one can of dough.

3. Shape the Knots:

   • To form the knots, take each triangle of dough and stretch it slightly to elongate it.

   • Starting at the wide end of the triangle, roll the dough tightly toward the point. You should have a rolled-up cylinder.

   • Once you’ve rolled it, tie the dough into a knot by crossing the ends over each other and tucking them underneath, creating a small, tight knot shape.

   • Repeat with all of the triangles.

4. Place on a Baking Sheet:

   • Arrange your formed garlic knots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Leave a little space between each knot for expansion as they bake.

Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Butter

The key to making these cheesy garlic knots so irresistible is the garlic butter mixture. This buttery, garlicky sauce is brushed on the knots before baking, infusing them with flavor and ensuring a golden, crispy exterior.

Instructions:

1. Melt the Butter:

   • In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. You can do this over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

2. Add Garlic:

   • Once the butter is melted, add the 3 cloves of minced garlic. Stir well to combine and allow the garlic to sauté in the melted butter for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

3. Season the Butter:

   • Stir in the 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly in the garlic butter.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

For that gooey, cheesy center that makes these garlic knots so special, you’ll need to stuff the knots with shredded mozzarella. This step will add a delicious surprise when you bite into the knots and pull apart the warm, melty cheese.

Instructions:

1. Add Mozzarella Cheese:

   • Take the shredded mozzarella cheese and place a small amount (about 1-2 tablespoons) of cheese in the center of each dough triangle before you roll it up. Be careful not to overstuff the knots, as this could make them difficult to tie.

   • If you want extra cheesy knots, feel free to add more cheese to each knot.

Step 5: Brush the Garlic Butter Over the Knots

Once your garlic knots are shaped and stuffed with cheese, it’s time to brush them with the garlic butter mixture. This will add flavor and ensure that the knots bake with a savory, golden finish.

Instructions:

1. Brush with Garlic Butter:

   • Use a pastry brush or a spoon to generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the tops of each knot. Be sure to coat each knot evenly with the garlicky butter.

   • Allow some of the butter to drip onto the baking sheet to ensure the knots bake with extra flavor.

2. Optional Step – Additional Toppings:

   • If desired, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan cheese over the knots before baking. This adds an extra layer of richness and a lovely golden crust.

   • For a little extra crunch and flavor, you can also sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or extra Italian seasoning on top of the garlic butter before baking.

Step 6: Bake the Garlic Knots

Now that your garlic knots are ready, it’s time to bake them to golden perfection. The baking time will ensure the knots cook through while getting crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

Instructions:

1. Bake the Knots:

   • Place the baking sheet with the garlic knots into the preheated oven.

   • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the knots are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on them after 8 minutes to avoid over-baking.

2. Check for Doneness:

   • The knots should be golden and slightly crispy on the outside. If you gently pull one apart, you should see the melted mozzarella cheese inside.

   • If you like a more golden finish, you can bake them for an additional 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to burn them.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the garlic knots are out of the oven, you’ll want to add that final touch to make them shine.

Instructions:

1. Garnish with Fresh Parsley:

   • After the garlic knots have cooled slightly, sprinkle them with freshly chopped parsley to add color and a fresh flavor.

2. Serve:

   • Serve the garlic knots warm as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. They are best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is still gooey and the garlic butter is fresh.

   • You can pair them with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or any of your favorite dipping sauces.

Step 8: Enjoy!

Now that you’ve followed all the steps, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your Cheesy Crescent Roll Garlic Knots. Whether you’re enjoying them alone or sharing them with friends and family, these garlic knots are bound to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

Additional Tips for Perfect Garlic Knots

• Storage: If you have leftovers, store the garlic knots in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or heat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness.

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough and shape the knots a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator on the baking sheet, covered with plastic wrap, and bake them when you’re ready.

• Customization: Feel free to get creative with the cheese inside the knots. You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, provolone, or even a mix of cheeses for a more complex flavor profile. Adding a touch of bacon bits, spinach, or sautéed onions can also enhance the flavor if you like.