Prepare to fall in love with these irresistible Parmesan Garlic Knots! Perfectly golden, wonderfully fluffy, and generously coated in a delectable garlic butter and Parmesan cheese mixture, these knots are more than just an appetizer—they’re a sensation. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, a casual get-together, or simply craving a savory snack, these homemade pizza dough knots promise to be an easy and utterly addictive crowd-plepleaser. Get ready to reach for another… and another!
A Collaboration of Culinary Passion: Meet David from Spiced
I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my dearest blogging friends, David, the creative mind behind Spiced. David is a culinary wizard, consistently baking and cooking up the most fantastic and inspiring creations. He’s my trusted resource for hearty, “manly” dishes like his incredibly flavorful Roasted Potato, Bacon & Onion Pizza and the mouth-watering Bacon and Jalapeño Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. But his talents don’t stop there. David also crafts drool-worthy breads, incredible donuts (you simply must try his Apple Fritters!), and decadent desserts such as these unforgettable Turtle Brownies. Seriously, just try to resist those rich, gooey brownies dripping with caramel and pecans. I promise you, it’s a challenge!
Hello, American Heritage Cooking fans! It’s Dave from Spiced, and I’m absolutely delighted to share this fantastic recipe for Parmesan Garlic Knots with you today. As many of you know, Lindsey is currently immersing herself in the vibrant culinary scene of New York City, honing her skills as a pastry chef. I’m truly envious of her dedication and talent, and I eagerly anticipate seeing the delicious results of her classes featured here soon. In the meantime, with the Super Bowl rapidly approaching, it’s the perfect moment to dive into some truly spectacular game day snacks. These Parmesan Garlic Knots are a long-standing favorite in my household, right alongside newer additions like air fryer pasta chips. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones enjoy them as much as we do!
From Lazy Dinners to Culinary Adventures: My Journey with Food
While Lindsey is currently living her pastry chef dream in NYC, her roots are in Atlanta, a city I also had the pleasure of calling home for several years. It’s a shame our paths didn’t cross back then; I probably would have been constantly begging her to whip up her legendary cupcakes for me! Reflecting on that period, I’d describe my younger self as, well, a bit lazy when it came to cooking. My evenings were often filled with video games, and dinner usually meant quick, often unhealthy, meals. Living alone with my dog, the thought of preparing an elaborate dinner after a long day at work held little appeal. Weekends offered a bit more culinary exploration, but even then, it was just one person to consume all the food!
Everything changed when I met my wife. Slowly but surely, some of that dedicated video game time transformed into early morning gym sessions. Couch-sitting evenings gave way to engaging recreational sports. We even took up tennis lessons for about a year before making the move to the “frozen tundra” of upstate New York. Unfortunately, our tennis rackets have been gathering dust in the garage for far too long. However, we’ve embraced new local activities, like learning to curl – when in Rome, or rather, upstate New York!
I cherish those fond memories of our tennis lessons. It was a lively group, including my wife, my sister-in-law, and a handful of other enthusiastic players. Our coach was fantastic, and I always looked forward to our Wednesday night outings. You might be wondering, what do these delicious Parmesan Garlic Knots have to do with weeknight tennis lessons? Well, after our lessons, we would sometimes head out for a well-deserved beer and, you guessed it, garlic knots with our coach. I fully appreciate the delightful irony of working out intensely only to immediately indulge in garlic knots and a cold beer. But that, to me, is the essence of balance – a philosophy I strive to follow every day. And no, by balance, I don’t mean a cookie in each hand, though my childhood self, inspired by the Cookie Monster, would have loved that!
The Ultimate Game Day Snack: Why Parmesan Garlic Knots Reign Supreme
With the Super Bowl rapidly approaching, the focus is undoubtedly on crafting the perfect spread of tasty appetizers. We’re talking about delicious finger foods that are easy to grab, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the game – or, let’s be honest, those eagerly anticipated commercials! (Admit it, last year’s commercials were arguably more entertaining than the actual game!) I’ve been contemplating making a batch of garlic knots for quite some time, and the Super Bowl presented itself as the absolutely perfect opportunity to whip up these savory delights. Their handheld nature, incredible flavor, and satisfying chewiness make them an ideal centerpiece for any gathering, especially when friends and family are cheering on their favorite teams.
These Parmesan Garlic Knots are surprisingly simple to prepare, making them accessible even for novice bakers. While I personally enjoy using my tried-and-true homemade pizza dough recipe for that extra touch of freshness and flavor, there’s absolutely no shame in opting for the convenience of store-bought dough. In fact, a pro tip for securing high-quality dough is to call your local pizza shop; many are happy to sell you a fresh batch for just a few dollars, often yielding a far superior result compared to generic grocery store options. Once you have your dough, the process is straightforward: simply shape it into charming knots and bake until golden brown. The magic truly happens after baking, when you brush these warm, fluffy knots with a glorious mixture of melted butter, fresh minced garlic, finely grated Parmesan cheese, fragrant Italian seasoning, and a pinch of kosher salt. This savory coating elevates them from simple bread to an unforgettable game day snack. Enjoy every buttery, garlicky, cheesy bite!
Tips for Perfect Parmesan Garlic Knots Every Time
Achieving bakery-quality garlic knots at home is easier than you think, especially with a few key techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these tips will help you create a batch that will impress everyone.
Choosing and Preparing Your Dough
- Homemade vs. Store-Bought: While homemade dough offers unparalleled flavor and texture, good quality store-bought pizza dough is a fantastic shortcut. Look for fresh dough in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, or as mentioned, inquire at your local pizzeria for their daily-made dough.
- Dough Temperature: Ensure your dough is at room temperature before you begin. Cold dough is difficult to roll and shape. Allow it to sit on your counter for 30-60 minutes, or until it’s pliable.
- Flouring Your Surface: Don’t be shy with flour! A well-floured countertop or cutting board prevents sticking and makes rolling and shaping much easier.
Shaping Your Knots
- Rolling the Rectangle: Aim for a consistent thickness when rolling your dough into a large rectangle. This ensures even baking and uniform knot sizes.
- Cutting Strips: A pizza wheel is your best friend here. It creates clean, even cuts. Consistency in strip width will lead to more uniform knots.
- Tying the Knots: The square knot is traditional and simple. Gently roll each strip into a rope, then tie it loosely. The key is to tuck the ends underneath the knot to prevent them from unraveling during proofing and baking. Don’t pull too tight, as the dough needs room to expand.
The Art of Proofing
- Warm Location is Key: Dough needs warmth to rise. A great trick is to warm your oven to 100°F (38°C), then turn it OFF before placing your covered dough inside. This creates a perfectly warm, draft-free environment.
- Patience Pays Off: Allow the knots to proof for the full 45 minutes, or until they have almost doubled in size. This step is crucial for achieving that light, airy texture.
- Cornmeal for Non-Stick: Sprinkling cornmeal on your parchment-lined baking sheets and over the knots not only prevents sticking but also adds a lovely rustic texture to the bottom of your knots.
Baking to Golden Perfection
- Preheat Thoroughly: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking. Consistent temperature is vital for even cooking.
- Pizza Stone Advantage: If you own a pizza stone, use it! Placing it in the oven during preheating and baking the knots directly on it (still on parchment paper) helps create a crispier bottom crust, mimicking a professional pizza oven.
- Visual Cues: Bake until the knots are a beautiful light golden brown. Overbaking can make them dry, while underbaking leaves them doughy.
The Flavorful Finishing Touch
- Garlic Butter Mixture: Prepare this mixture while your knots are baking. The warmth of the melted butter helps to infuse the garlic and seasonings more effectively.
- Brush While Hot: As soon as the knots come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter. The hot surface will absorb the flavors beautifully, ensuring every crevice is infused with that irresistible garlicky goodness.
- Serve Immediately: Garlic knots are best served hot, allowing the butter to melt into the dough and the Parmesan to create a savory crust.
By following these detailed tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating Parmesan Garlic Knots that are not just an appetizer, but a memorable culinary experience. These knots are incredibly versatile; they pair wonderfully with a robust marinara sauce, make an excellent side to Italian meals, or can simply be enjoyed on their own as a satisfying snack. Their delightful aroma alone is enough to bring everyone to the kitchen!
Parmesan Garlic Knots
Chef Lindsey
15 minutes
18 minutes
45 minutes
1 hour
18 minutes
16
Knots
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Ingredients
-
1
batch pizza dough
homemade or store-bought
-
1½
Tbsp
olive oil
-
5
Tbsp
unsalted butter
-
4
cloves
garlic
minced -
1½
Tbsp
Parmesan cheese
finely grated -
¾
tsp
Italian seasoning -
1½
tsp
kosher salt
-
cornmeal
for dusting knots
Instructions
-
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
-
Place pizza dough on a well-floured countertop or cutting board; roll dough into a large rectangle (~12”x16”).
-
Using a pizza wheel, cut dough in half length-wise, then cut each half into 8 equally-sized strips. (Note: You will end up with 16 total pieces of dough.)
-
Roll each strip of dough into a 6”-7” rope. Tie each rope into a square knot, tucking the ends into the center of the knot.
-
Place knots onto parchment-lined sheet pans; sprinkle tops of knots with cornmeal and then cover lightly. (Tip: I lightly cover my dough with plastic wrap, and the cornmeal keeps the dough from sticking to the wrap.)
-
Cover pans and place in a warm location for 45 minutes, or until knots have almost doubled in size. (Tip: For a warm location, I turn my oven on to 100°F. Then I turn it off and use the oven as a warming area. Just make sure to turn the oven off before putting dough in!)
-
Once dough has risen, brush tops with olive oil.
-
Bake knots at 350°F for 18-22 minutes, or until knots are light golden in color. (Tip: If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating; bake knots (still on the parchment paper) directly on the pizza stone.
-
While knots are baking, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and kosher salt.
-
Remove knots from oven and brush with the garlic butter mixture. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories:
106
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
12
g
|
Protein:
2
g
|
Fat:
6
g
|
Saturated Fat:
3
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g
|
Trans Fat:
1
g
|
Cholesterol:
10
mg
|
Sodium:
403
mg
|
Potassium:
6
mg
|
Fiber:
1
g
|
Sugar:
2
g
|
Vitamin A:
115
IU
|
Vitamin C:
1
mg
|
Calcium:
10
mg
|
Iron:
1
mg
Bread
American
106
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Lindsey here again! I’m confident that you will adore Spiced just as much as I do. Head over to David’s blog and explore his incredible culinary world!
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