5 from 8 votes

Garlic Cheese Bread (Rolls) Recipe

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This Garlic Cheese Bread Recipe is so good! The rolls are buttery, cheesy and absolutely crave able. They pull apart and are soft, garlicky and delicious.

Try to eat just one!

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!

Garlic Cheese Bread with a pastry brush and butter

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My family loves this homemade garlic bread. We are all very much into garlic, cheese and bread (and who isn’t?). I can always be convinced to make these rolls to go along with dinner.

This cheese garlic bread recipe is a little more labor intensive than my Garlic Knots, or my Red Lobster Biscuits but is absolutely worth it. They are so soft and buttery and I love serving them to my family and friends.

Pulling these hot rolls out of the oven is dangerous! It’s so hard to resist just grabbing one (or two) and snarfing right on the spot.

If you don’t need a full dozen, you can always bake half the batch and freeze the rest and bake another day when you need garlic rolls. Check out the Notes box below for tips on freezing this recipe.

What to serve with Cheesy Garlic Bread

These rolls pair exceptionally well with pasta dishes like Ravioli Lasagna and Baked Ziti, and can be balanced by healthier sides like Arugula Salad or a Kale Salad.

Kitchen Hack

I use a repurposed cheese shaker filled with flour to flour my counter tops. Means an even sprinkle and no mess!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • These rolls are perfect for family dinners.
  • Easy to make (don’t be afraid of yeast!)
  • Make ahead! Bake some now, some later. You choose!

I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.

Garlic Cheese Bread Rolls in a white pan

Kylee’s Notes

What to do with leftovers

Baked rolls are good for a few days on the counter. A quick zap in the microwave to make them soft and melty again will work wonders.

Substitutions/Additions

Add some cooked and crumbled bacon to the rolls with the cheese. You won’t regret it.

Caramelized onions are epic in this, too. You can also add a small amount of diced onion (red or white/yellow is fine) instead if you prefer.

You can use any kind of cheese that you like. I like cheddar cheese for the strong flavor, but a little swiss (maybe add some ham, too) is a fun and yummy idea and a great way to mix it up.

Freezing instructions

This recipe can be frozen before baking.

Make the rolls to the step where you have rolled and cut them, and place them in the freezer before you allow them to rise.

I put them on a baking sheet and freeze separately from each other until solid (flash freezing), then put them in a ziplock bag and freeze.

On the day you want to serve, take as many rolls as you’d like to serve, and add them to a baking dish brushed with olive oil or butter. Allow to thaw/rise for 4-5 hours and bake as written.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Remember: this is just an overview and the why of the ingredients I choose here. The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below

ingredients laid out on a white board

How to make this recipe

Jump

Make the dough

In a stand mixer, combine 2 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

Add the milk, melted butter, water and egg, and mix using the dough hook.

Add the remaining flour a little at a time. A shaggy, thick, sticky dough will form.

Continue kneading, either by hand or by mixer until the dough become smooth and springs back when you press it with a finger.

Let the dough rest on the counter for 15 minutes, covered with a barely damp towel.

collage showing how to make dough for garlic cheese rolls

Roll out the dough

Sprinkle flour on your countertop, and roll out dough to a rectangle..

Fill the rolls

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, garlic, salt and pepper together, and spread the butter mixture over the entire surface of the dough.

Add the cheese evenly over the dough.

collage showing how to roll and fill the dough for garlic cheese rolls

Roll, cut and rise

Roll up, and cut into 12 rolls (I use dental floss for a clean cut). You will need 12 equal pieces.

Place the rolls in your baking dish or baking sheet, cut side down.

rolling and cutting garlic rolls

Cover and let them rise for about an hour – until puffy and doubled in size.

fully risen garlic rolls ready to bake

Bake

Preheat the oven to 375, and bake for 20 minutes until browned.

Remove from the oven, and brush with butter.

brushing baked rolls with butter

Devour.

lifting a roll out of a pan

More Bread Recipes

  • Naan Bread – a great beginner recipe! This Naan bread recipe is so easy to make, and super yummy! We use yogurt to make this Indian style flatbread soft and fluffy, and it’s done in just a few hours.
  • Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls. Quick and easy to make, these deliciously soft Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls make the perfect amount for your family! They make a hearty side to any dinner. Yum!
  • 30 Minute Dinner Rolls – Make these dinner rolls from scratch in just about 30 minutes!! These are great for holidays, weeknights, basically – any time you need them. Using a stand mixer and simple ingredients, you can have these homemade rolls on the table FAST!!

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A pastry brush coats a freshly baked cheese roll with melted butter in a white baking dish.
5 from 8 votes

Buttery Cheddar Garlic Rolls

Servings 12 rolls
Prep Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
This Garlic Cheese Bread Recipe is so good! The rolls are buttery, cheesy and absolutely crave able. They pull apart and are soft, garlicky and delicious.

Ingredients
 

Dough

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 7 cloves garlic minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
  • extra butter for brushing on top

Instructions

  • In a stand mixer, combine 2 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast, 2 tablespoons white sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Add 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup water, and 1 egg, and mix using the dough hook, adding 1 1/4 cups bread flour a little at a time. A shaggy, thick, sticky dough will form.
  • Continue kneading, either by hand or by mixer until the dough become smooth and springs back when you press it with a finger.
  • Let the dough rest on the counter for 15 minutes, covered with a barely damp towel.
  • Sprinkle flour on your countertop, and roll out dough to a rectangle..
  • Mix 2 tablespoons butter (melted), 7 cloves garlic (minced), salt and pepper together, and spread out over the entire surface of the dough.
  • Add 2 cups cheddar cheese evenly over the dough.
  • Roll up, and cut into 12 rolls (I use dental floss for a clean cut).
  • Place the rolls in your baking dish, cover and let them rise for about an hour – until puffy.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F, and bake for 20 minutes until browned.
  • Remove from the oven, and brush with butter.
  • Devour.

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Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure to follow @kyleecooks on Instgram for more and tag me #kyleecooks so I can see!

Update: This recipe was originally published in May of 2017. It was republished with updated photos in June of 2022.

Kylee Cooks in the kitchen

About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee

5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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36 Comments

  1. Garlic cheese pinwheels.

    Oh, my…

    I’m just thinking – that and a light vegetable soup made with super fresh summer vegetables – bliss…

    1. I’m thinking you need to invite me over for dinner!

  2. Renee Nicole's Kitchen says:

    As a fellow cheese lover, these make a great dinner all on their own! My family loves these!

  3. Smruti | Herbivore Cucina says:

    Such a wonderful platter of breads. I loved them Kylee!!

  4. Julie is Hostess At Heart says:

    Kylee these rolls look amazing and I love your kitchen hack! I’ve always marveled at how even the pros sprinkle their work space. Me…not so much. 🙂

  5. Trish @ Rhubarbarians says:

    Oh my gosh, DROOLING! Rolls are something I never make, but always love eating. Looks awesome!

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