Pull Apart Garlic Bread | Garlic Rolls

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Deliciously savory and perfect for pairing with soups or stews, these Pull Apart Garlic Bread Rolls are as much fun to look at as they are to eat! Made with whole wheat flour and without any eggs, these soft and pillowy dinner rolls are a real crowd-pleaser.

pull apart garlic bread in the baking crockery next to a mug of tea.

About Pull Apart Garlic Bread

These pull apart garlic bread were inspired from Nag’s blog Edible Garden — ever since I saw them, I just knew I had to make them!

I modified Nag’s recipe using primarily whole wheat flour (atta) and just a little all-purpose flour (maida), but you can easily make with wholly all-purpose flour or a 50/50 split depending on your preferences.

When I was making the garlic butter mixture for the rolls, I used up some Nutralite I had kicking around in the fridge. You are welcome to use either dairy butter, vegan butter, or your choice of margarine.

2 garlic bread rolls in a bowl on a black table with a black mug of tea.

As a visual learner, I found Divya’s Easy Cooking blog to be quite useful. She has many illustrative pictures that, in tandem with Nag’s blog, really helped me to understand the method of rolling, folding, and cutting these savory garlic rolls. If you’re in need of more help with bread baking, I suggest her blog!

After baking these garlic rolls, I have made many different kinds of bread rolls like pesto rolls and cinnamon rolls. I have experimented making them with whole wheat bread dough, brown bread dough, as well as Pizza dough, and Focaccia. It turns out that the method works for all of them!

Step-by-Step Guide

How To Make Pull Apart Garlic Bread

If you are new to bread baking, I know it can be a bit intimidating. If you follow along with my step-by-step photos, it’ll be like I’m right there in the kitchen with you, cheering you along!

Proof Yeast

1: Mix ½ tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon dry active yeast in warm water. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 10 to 12 minutes.

mix sugar yeast and water to proof the yeast.

2: The yeast solution will become bubbly and frothy after 10 minutes. This means the yeast is alive and ready to go! If your solution doesn’t look like mine, your yeast is probably dead and you’ll need to start with a new packet.

DO NOT TRY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECIPE IF YOUR YEAST DOESN’T BUBBLE AND FROTH. It simply will not work!

yeast solution is frothy and bubbly.

Make Bread Dough

3: Add the 1.5 cups whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon oil to the bowl with the yeast mixture.

adding dry ingredients to yeast mixture.

4: Knead into a smooth, soft, and springy dough.

kneaded dough to make garlic bread rolls recipe.

First Rise

5: Rub oil on the whole exterior of the dough, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and set in a warm, draft-free place to rise, approximately 1:30 to 2 hours until leavened.

dough has been rubbed with oil for the first proof.

6: The dough should be roughly double in size after leavening.

bread dough has doubled in size.

Assemble Garlic Rolls

7: Make the garlic butter: beat 2 tablespoons softened butter (plant-based or dairy) and ½ tablespoon sunflower oil or olive oil with a spoon till light and fluffy.

Add all the following spices and herbs and mix well:

  • ½ to ⅔ tablespoon minced or finely chopped garlic or finely crushed garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped celery
  • ¼ teaspoon dry oregano
  • 2 light pinch of pinch carom seeds, optional
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast, optional
  • salt as required
  • ground black pepper as required
beating butter and herbs for garlic bread rolls recipe.

8: Lightly punch down the dough before making the rolls on a work surface.

bread dough after punching down is about 1/2 as big as when it started.

9: Divide the dough into two roughly equal parts.

dough separated into two parts.

10: Dust your work surface with some dry flour. Take one part of the dough and roll to a round or rectangle that is about ½ inch thick.

rolling out the first half of the bread dough.

11:  Spread ⅓ of the garlic butter spread evenly on the dough.

spread 1/3 of the garlic butter mixture over the rolled out dough.

12: Roll the dough till the end.

roll the bread into a tight spiral over the garlic butter.

13: Repeat this process with the second piece of the dough. Now both the rolls are ready to be sliced.

both pieces of dough have been spread with garlic butter and rolled into batons.

Slice

14: First give a cut from the center, and then equally cut the two parts. You should now have 4 equal slices of the rolled dough spirals. Repeat with the second log.

slicing logs of garlic bread rolls - you should end up with 8 even pieces.

Second Rise

15: Grease a pan with softened butter or olive oil in which all the 8 rolls will fit snugly, without too much room on any side. Place the rolls with the cut edges facing upwards in the pan. Brush their tops with remaining garlic butter. 

Cover with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free area to rise again. After about 30 to 40 minutes they should have doubled in size.

spread the tops of the garlic rolls with remaining garlic butter.

Bake and Enjoy!

16: Bake in a pre-heated oven for 30 to 35 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius/356 degrees Fahrenheit till the tops are golden and the garlic rolls sound hollow when tapped. Since I have a slow oven it took me 40 mins to bake the rolls.

Keep in mind that temperatures varies across various ovens and it can take less or more time for the garlic rolls to bake in your oven.

Serve them warm with your afternoon tea or coffee for a yummy snack, or serve them with soup, stew, or pasta as a dinner roll. Enjoy!

garlic bread rolls after baking have a golden top.

Here’s one more photo to inspire you to make these awesome and delicious pull apart garlic bread 🙂

overhead shot of eggless garlic bread rolls in the baking crockery next to a mug of tea.

Expert Tips

  • Proof your yeast. The most important thing to remember about making these garlic rolls is that you’re dealing with live organisms. Dried yeast will remain dormant until you rehydrate them and give them a little food in the form of sugar. If your yeast is good, the mixture will foam and froth. If your yeast is expired, it will not. DO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RECIPE IF YOUR YEAST HAS EXPIRED. You will end up with a rock rather than a pillow!
  • Give your bread a cozy spot to rise. Rising time is greatly affected by temperature. If you are living in a cool climate, I suggest using your oven as a proofing box. With the oven off, set a bowl at the very bottom and fill it with boiling water. Pop your covered bread dough bowl on a rack, then close the door. The water will give off enough heat to provide the perfect climate for your bread to rise!
  • Roll tightly. As with making cinnamon rolls, you need to roll your garlic rolls nice and tightly. If you don’t, they’ll have a tendency to lose shape and bake unevenly.

FAQs

Can I add any other veggies to the filling mixture?

Sure! Just be sure to chop them very finely and to sauté them very well until there is no liquid left in the pan.

Can I add cheese to my pull apart garlic bread?

Absolutely! It will go beautifully with this recipe.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes. Add about ½ teaspoon of instant or rapid rising yeast. You’ll just need to cut back the rising time to about 45 minutes or an hour.

Can I bake these in a convection oven?

Yes, but I suggest that you wrap them in foil to start. Convection ovens have a tendency to brown the tops quite quickly, leading you to believe the bread has finished cooking while the middles are still soft. Remove the foil in the last 5 minutes of baking to get a beautiful browned top with perfectly cooked centers.

Can I make these garlic rolls in advance?

They are the very best quality when they are fresh from the oven, but you can keep any cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Can I use fresh yeast?

Yes! Just increase to 2 teaspoons please.

More Bread Recipes To Try!

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garlic rolls in baking pan with a side of tea

Pull Apart Garlic Bread | Garlic Rolls

These Pull Apart Garlic Bread are as much fun to look at as they are to eat! Made with whole wheat flour and without any eggs, these soft and pillowy garlic rolls are a real crowd-pleaser.
4.89 from 17 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Dough Leavening Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Cuisine American, World
Course Breakfast, Snacks
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 8 Garlic Rolls
Units

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 1.5 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dry active yeast
  • 150 to 160 ml water – approx ⅔ cup water *check notes
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon oil – any neutral oil or olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt or add as required

For the garlic spread

  • 2 tablespoons dairy-free butter or dairy butter
  • ½ to ⅔ tablespoon minced garlic or finely chopped garlic or finely crushed garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped celery
  • ¼ teaspoon dry oregano
  • 2 pinch carom seeds – optional
  • 1 or 2 teaspoon nutritional yeast – optional
  • ½ tablespoon sunflower oil or olive oil
  • salt as required
  • ground black pepper as required

Instructions
 

Making dough

  • Mix the the sugar and yeast in warm water. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 to 12 mins.
  • After the yeast solution bubbled and frothy, add the flours, salt and oil to the bowl of yeast mixture.
  • Mix well and knead to a smooth and soft dough.
  • Rub or brush oil on the whole dough and keep covered for up to 1:30 to 2 hours until leavened.

Assembling and shaping garlic rolls

  • Beat the butter with a spoon till light and fluffy. Add all the spices & herbs along with salt. Mix well.
  • Check the seasoning in the garlic spread and add more of the herbs, spices or salt if needed.
  • Lightly punch the dough before making the rolls on a work surface. Divided the dough into two parts.
  • Take one part of the dough and on a lightly dusted flour, roll to a round or rectangle till you get ½ inch width in the rolled dough
  • Spread the garlic butter evenly on the dough. Roll the dough completely.
  • Make a similar roll with the other part of the dough.
  • First give a cut from the center on each rolled dough and then equally cut the two parts. So you have now 4 equal slices from the rolled garlic dough.

Baking Garlic Pull Apart Bread

  • Grease a baking pan or tray in which all the 8 rolls will fit. Place the rolls in the pan touching each other with the open sides facing up.
  • Brush their tops with remaining garlic butter. Cover and let the rolls double up for 35 to 40 minutes.
  • You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the rolls.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius/356 degrees Fahrenheit till the tops are golden.
    Remember to preheat the oven for 15 minutes at the same temperature of 180 degrees Celsius/356 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve garlic rolls with tea or coffee.

Notes

  • Here I have added ⅔ cup water. However depending on the quality and texture of flour, you may have to add less or more. So add accordingly to get a smooth, soft and pliable dough. 
  • If the yeast mixture does not become bubbly and frothy, throw it away and start again. 
  • Note that the approximate nutrition info is for 1 garlic roll made with dairy-free butter.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Pull Apart Garlic Bread | Garlic Rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 145 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Sodium 244mg11%
Potassium 119mg3%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 6IU0%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 2mg10%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin B12 1µg17%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 4µg4%
Calcium 12mg1%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 49µg12%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 33mg8%
Phosphorus 93mg9%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Pull Apart Garlic Bread Rolls post from the archives first published in August 2013 has been republished and updated on 3 May 2022.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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97 Comments

  1. Hi Dassana

    I love all your recipes—they are detailed and encourages novices like me.

    I don’t have an OTG and when I bake my bread in convection mode, the top of the bread has a very slight brown hue and is cooked well. I try and extend it to another five minutes and still it is a faded brown. What can I do to get a brown hue?

    Thanks in advance

    1. Hi Sulekha. Could be that in your microwave oven the heating element when using the convection mode, is either placed at one side or behind. Since the heating element is not at the top, this causes the browning to be less as compared to regular ovens or OTG where the heating element is placed on the top.

      If the bread or cake is cooked perfectly then browning does not make much of a difference unless you want a crusty texture outside.

  2. Hi dassana,
    I like your recipes very much. Actually am a fan of your recipes.
    I want to know whether can I add mushrooms and capsicum to this recipe along with garlic and herbs

    Maria

    1. thanks maria. you can add mushrooms and capsicum. just saute mushrooms in some oil till the moisture from them goes away and then add in the garlic spread. chop mushrooms finely. for capsicum also you can saute them in some oil or you can roast them in an oven. alternatively in a pan you first saute capsicum in some oil and then add mushrooms. continue to saute till all the water from the mushrooms evaporates and the mixture becomes dry. chop capsicum also finely.

  3. Hi I tried baking a garlic bread roll (whole log) in pressure cooker as detailed by u in ladi pav receipe – it’s taken 1and 1/2 and still the top is not browned and don’t know if it’s cooked till the top and so I had to roll the log in the pan to get the other side browned
    Any suggestions where I might have gone wrong
    Also my pan is of the same height as the pressure cooker and the lid above it would that make a difference?

    1. nahid, there should be some space between the pan and the top of the cooker. this helps in browning the bread or cake from top in the pressure cooker. it should not take so much time. just eat a small piece and see if it is baked well or not. i think the bread roll must have baked in this much time.

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