Fluffy, golden and oh-so moreish. These Garlic Dough Balls are golden on the outside, light and fluffy in the middle and coated in a rich garlic butter that soaks into every bite. This is proper comfort food — simple ingredients and big flavour.
About This Garlic Dough Ball Recipe
What makes these Garlic Dough Balls so good is how simple they are. A soft, well-proved dough baked until perfectly risen, then coated in melted butter, fresh garlic and herbs.. The result is irresistibly golden, pull apart Garlic Dough Balls.
They’re perfect as a side, starter or sharer. Best of all, you don’t need any special skills — just a little patience with the dough and you’ll be rewarded with bakery-style Garlic Dough Balls every time.
Ingredients
Using the freshest ingredients in this Garlic Dough Ball recipe makes all the difference. Below, you will see the ingredients laid out along with.a list. Exact measurements and quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page. Make sure to have everything ready and prepared before you start cooking for best results.
See recipe card for quantities.
- 500g Strong bread flour
- 7g Instant yeast
- 350ml Warm water
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- Salt
- 100g Unsalted butter
- 6 Garlic cloves
- Handful of fresh parsley
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
You will find photographs of each step below, along with a full layout including the ingredients in the recipe card. Use whichever format works best for you. These steps are clear and easy to follow, so you can cook along with confidence.
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine your warm water, yeast and sugar. Whisk together and allow to bloom for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Sieve in most of your bread flour and mix well with a spoon. When the dough becomes easier to work with, add the remaining flour and mix with your hands.
- Step 3: On a floured surface, knead the dough until it has a smooth consistency (10 minutes).
- Step 4: To a large bowl, oil the sides to prevent sticking and add your kneaded dough. Cover and prove for 1 hour in a warm place.
- Step 5: After your dough has proved, separate the dough into 50g portions.
- Step 6: Add your dough balls to a lightly oiled oven proof dish, cover and prove for 30 minutes.
- Step 7: Meanwhile, melt your butter and brush some of it over the top of your proved dough balls. Add your chopped garlic and parsley to the remaining garlic butter and save for later.
- Step 8: Place your dough balls in the oven at 400F (200C) for 13-15 minutes or until beautifully golden.
- Step 9: Remove from the oven. Brush your dough balls with that delicious garlic butter.
- Step 10: Allow to cool slightly and dig in!
Hint: Add a tray of water to the bottom of the oven for the first 10 minutes of baking to allow the dough balls to rise even more!
Substitutions
Garlic Dough Balls require few ingredients, you can easily swap ingredients depending on what you have at home and still get great results. Here are the best substitutions:
- Butter - Use a plant-based butter for a vegan alternative or use Ghee for a nuttier taste.
- Garlic cloves - Use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder to substitute the fresh garlic cloves if that's what you have to hand!
- Parsley - So many herbs will work perfectly for this recipe, use fresh basil as a substitution or add your favorite dried Italian herbs to the butter.
Variations
Garlic Dough Balls are so versatile, you can tweak them to be cheesy, herby, spicy, or even sweet. Here are some tasty variations:
- Cheesy - Before you prove your dough balls for a second time, roll them out and add a helping of grated mozzarella cheese. Pinch the dough ball to seal and roll them into balls for gorgeously Cheesy Garlic Dough Balls. If you love cheesy bread why not try these Cheesy Naan Breads.
Equipment
Sieve
Large bowl
Oven proof baking dish
Serving Size (Serves 4)
This Garlic Dough Ball recipe is written to serve 4. Most of the time, we cook for 2 and enjoy the leftovers the next day - it makes the effort of cooking something fresh and delicious even more worthwhile. If you’re feeding 5 or 6, you can easily double the recipe, or sometimes it’s as simple as adding an extra piece of protein and adjusting the sides. Make it yours, enjoy the process, and don’t stress about being exact.
Note: Nutritional information provided in the recipe card below is a rough guide only. Values can vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities you use.
Storage
Fridge: Allow your dish to cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Flavours often develop even more after a night in the fridge.
Freezer: Portion and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the hob or in the oven until piping hot.
Top Tip
Use plenty of fresh garlic and don’t be shy with the butter, it’s the garlic butter that makes them addictive!
FAQ
Yes! Freeze baked or unbaked balls in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for best results.
Absolutely, stuff or top with mozzarella, cheddar or parmesan for gooey, melty goodness.
Soft, fluffy bread balls coated in garlic butter — a simple, indulgent snack or side that’s perfect for sharing.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Garlic Dough Ball recipe:
Recipe
Garlic Dough Balls
Fluffy, golden and oh-so moreish. These Garlic Dough Balls are golden, light and fluffy in the middle and coated in a rich garlic butter.
Ingredients
- 500g Strong bread flour
- 7g Instant yeast
- 350ml Warm water
- ½ teaspoon white sugar
- Salt
- 100g Unsalted butter
- 6 Garlic cloves
- Handful of fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your warm water, yeast and sugar. Whisk together and allow to bloom for 5 minutes.
- Sieve in most of your bread flour and mix well with a spoon. When the dough becomes easier to work with, add the remaining flour and mix with your hands.
- On a floured surface, knead the dough until it has a smooth consistency (10 minutes).
- To a large bowl, oil the sides to prevent sticking and add your kneaded dough. Cover and prove for 1 hour in a warm place.
- After your dough has proved, separate the dough into 50g portions. Add your dough balls to a lightly oiled oven proof dish, cover and prove for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt your butter and add your chopped garlic and parsley. Mix well to combine.
- Brush your dough balls with that delicious garlic butter. Place your dough balls in the oven at 400F (200C) for 13-15 minutes or until beautifully golden.
- Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly and dig in!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 648Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 9mgCarbohydrates: 95gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 16g
Have you tried this recipe?
If yes, please give it a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a comment. We love receiving your feedback and I’m sure other readers of my blog do too. Thank you.
If you are not already doing so, please follow For Those About To Cook on Instagram and Facebook for all our latest recipes.
Leave a Reply