These garlic knots are light, fluffy, and full of garlicky flavor. After 5 decades of breadmaking, I have a method that gives you the best chance for light, fluffy yeast breads and rolls every time.
Proof the Yeast (Active Dry Yeast)
0 Add the warm water to the bowl of your stand mixer - ensuring the temperature is between 105-115°F.
1 Sprinkle in the yeast and sugar and mix with a whisk. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2 After the 5 minutes is up the yeast should have formed a foaminess in the water. If it didn’t that means the yeast is dead and you need to start again.
3 Add the olive oil, salt, garlic powder and flour then using the dough hook on your mixer on a low speed, allow the dough to come together to where it is just sticky but floured hands can touch it.
Using Rapid Rise Yeast
20 Mix the warm water, olive oil, and salt.
19 Add the yeast and garlic powder to 3 cups of the flour.
21 Add the flour mixture to the olive oil mixture.
22 Using the dough hook on your mixer on a low speed, allow the dough to come together to where it is just sticky but floured hands can touch it.
Rising and Shaping
4 Empty out the dough onto a floured surface then spray the inside of your mixing bowl with cooking spray.
5 Place the dough back into your mixing bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Sit in a warm dry place for about 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
6 Punch the dough down.
7 Empty the dough out onto a floured surface and shape into a long flat (ish) loaf. About 15” long.
8 Cut 1” slices through the dough.
9 Take each slice and roll out like a worm. Remember making snakes with Playdo?
10 Form a knot - either tucking the ends under or leaving them out.
11 Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, 2” apart. Cover again and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
12 Preheat oven to 400°F.
13 In a small mixing bowl, melt the butter with the garlic and parsley.
14 When the 30 minutes is up brush each knot with the garlic butter then bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
15 After you take them out of the oven brush again with the remaining garlic butter.
16 Serve with your favorite dip and sprinkle with fresh parsley (optional)
