Restaurant-Quality Homemade Garlic Knots in Under an Hour – The Cavalier Daily

Nothing is better than homemade bread fresh from the oven topped with a deliciousness of cheese, garlic and butter. Over the years, as I have developed my baking skills and explored many recipesI have learned that most store bought baked goods are so much better when made at home. Bread is one of my favorite foods to bake because it is extremely satisfying and relatively easy to make. Since my brother is a huge fan of garlic bread, I learned how to make two versions that never fail to be a huge hit with anyone. The more complex route is to bake my own French bread, then cut it in two and lather it with cheese garlic butter; Although I love this version, it takes quite a while.

The second method is garlic knots. Arguably prettier than traditional garlic bread and significantly quicker to make, garlic knots are a no-fail recipe that can be made just when you want them. With little proofing time and quick baking, this recipe is a must for any beginning baker. An easy way to make this recipe even faster is to use store-bought pizza or cookie dough that can be found at Trader Joe and many other grocery stores in Charlottesville.

In perfecting this recipe I opted to take notes from a popular online version and combine it with a simple recipe for homemade pizza dough to make my ideal garlic knots. With this version, you can make garlic knots at home that taste better than the ones at your favorite restaurant in less than an hour. Best served warm, these knots are sure to be a big hit with friends and family, perfect for gatherings of any size.

preparation time: 15 minutes

baking time: 10-12 minutes

yields: 12 large garlic knots

Ingredients:

Mass

• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 ½ – 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup of oil

garlic knots

• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Mix the water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.
2. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
4. Add oil to the dough and knead until smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes at room temperature.
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Cut the dough into 12 equal portions and roll into strips about 6 inches long.
8. Tie each strip into an overhand knot by crossing one end over the other and then back through the resulting loop. Optionally, you can tuck the ends of the dough into the bottom of the roll for a more rounded end product.
9. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, place each knot about 1 ½ inches apart.
10. Mix melted butter, garlic powder, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
11. Brush the knots with the butter mixture, reserving 1 ½ tablespoons of the butter mixture for later. Optional: Sprinkle the knots with additional cheese.
12. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
13. Remove the knots from the oven and brush with the reserved butter mixture.
14. Let cool as long as you want and enjoy!

If you opt to make your own dough, you can easily make it a few hours ahead of time. Some tips for success are to resist over-kneading and over-proofing the dough. Soft, springy dough would look like there are no lumps of flour and the dough springs back if you push it gently, but it’s not hard enough to resist bending. Be sure to put the dough in the fridge after the initial 30 minute rise to ensure it doesn’t rise too much. If you choose to use store-bought dough, skip ahead to the recipe beginning at step 6.

The key to these garlic knots is to have quality ingredients, specifically the cheese. Grated or crumbled fresh Parmesan cheese works best for this recipe, as the flavor is much stronger than stable grated Parmesan cheese. Also, while herbs are important in this recipe, it’s okay if you don’t have dried oregano or parsley; just use what you have and the recipe will still turn out tasty. Many other garlic knot recipes call for Italian seasoning rather than specific dried herbs. While I haven’t tested it myself, I’m sure it’s an exchange that produces decent results.

If you or someone you know is a fan of garlic bread, this is the recipe for you. With irresistible flavor and texture, and home-baked charm, these garlic knots are sure to please any foodie. Baking bread can seem daunting, but with this fail-safe recipe, you’re on your way to becoming a confident baker.