Heavenly Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots Recipe: Fluffy Bites of Joy

Tucking into these irresistible cheese-filled garlic knots sends taste buds on an unexpected adventure.

Warm, pillowy dough wraps around melted cheese like a comforting embrace.

Fragrant garlic wafts through the kitchen, promising deliciousness in every bite.

Each knot looks like a delicate golden braid, promising pure satisfaction.

Soft bread mingles with sharp cheese, creating a symphony of flavors that dance together.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical on your plate.

Weekend cooking just became way more exciting with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

These knots will have everyone begging for seconds.

What Makes Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots Hard to Resist

• Devour Quick Comfort: Super easy homemade cheese-filled garlic knots that transform simple ingredients into delicious bites in under 30 minutes.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Snack: Perfect appetizer for game nights, potlucks, and family gatherings that will impress everyone with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Swap mozzarella for different cheeses like cheddar or add herbs and spices to create unique variations matching personal taste preferences.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Satisfaction: Requires basic pantry ingredients, simple step-by-step process, and delivers restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques or expensive equipment.

What’s Inside Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots

• Pizza Dough: Soft, stretchy base for creating delicious knots, store-bought works perfectly fine.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty filling that creates a gooey surprise inside each knot, shredded variety recommended.

• Garlic, Butter, Parsley: Classic combination for adding rich, aromatic taste to the knots.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to balance and elevate the overall flavor profile.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic dipping sauce that complements the cheesy garlic knots, store-bought or homemade options work great.

Garlic Knot Instructions for a Cheese-Filled Finish

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F.

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Transform the Dough

Slice your pizza dough into 12 equal pieces.

Gently press each piece into a small rectangular shape, creating a canvas for cheesy magic.

Step 3: Stuff and Twist the Knots

• Mozzarella cheese
• Pizza dough pieces

Sprinkle a small pile of mozzarella right in the center of each dough rectangle.

Carefully fold the dough over the cheese, pinching the edges super tight to create a cheese-sealed pocket.

Lovingly twist each piece into a knot shape, ensuring no cheesy goodness can escape.

Step 4: Arrange on the Baking Canvas

Carefully place your twisted knots on the prepared baking sheet, giving each one a little breathing room.

Step 5: Whip Up Garlic Butter Goodness

• Butter
• Garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Salt

Mix melted butter with finely minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt.

Generously paint each knot with this flavor-packed mixture.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown color and fully melted cheese inside.

Step 7: Final Flavor Flourish

Pull the knots from the oven and give them another loving brush of garlic butter.

Let them rest for a few moments to allow the cheese to settle.

Serve these beauties warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Cheese-Filled Garlic Knot Baking Tips

• Pinch dough edges tightly when wrapping cheese to prevent leakage during baking, ensuring a perfect cheesy center in every knot.
• Use freshly minced garlic for maximum flavor in the butter mixture, creating a more aromatic and rich coating for the knots.
• Let pizza dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping to make it more pliable and easier to work with.
• Choose low-moisture mozzarella to prevent excessive liquid and ensure a gooey, perfectly melted cheese filling inside the knots.
• Watch knots closely during the last few minutes of baking to achieve a golden-brown color without burning the delicate garlic butter coating.

Store Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots

• Store leftover garlic knots in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture.
• Warm knots at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy exterior and gooey cheese center, ensuring maximum flavor and texture.
• Quickly heat knots for 20-30 seconds, but expect slightly softer texture compared to oven reheating.
• Wrap individual knots in foil, place in freezer bag, and store up to 1 month for later enjoyment, thawing at room temperature before reheating.

Enjoy These with Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots

• Craft a Robust Red Wine Match: Select a medium-bodied Italian Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich garlic and cheese flavors, cutting through the buttery richness with its acidic undertones.
• Prepare a Fresh Marinara Companion: Create a homemade marinara dipping sauce with ripe roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and a hint of roasted garlic to enhance the knots' savory profile and provide a zesty contrast.
• Design a Crisp Salad Side: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan, and toasted pine nuts to balance the knots' heaviness and add a refreshing green element to the meal.
• Serve a Chilled Beer Pairing: Opt for a hoppy pale ale or crisp pilsner that can stand up to the garlic's intensity and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, cheesy texture of the knots.

Garlic Knots Stuffing and Dough Variants

• Gluten-Free Garlic Knots: Replace pizza dough with gluten-free flour blend or cauliflower dough for a celiac-friendly version. Use dairy-free cheese alternatives for added flexibility.
• Vegan Herbal Knots: Swap dairy cheese with cashew mozzarella or nutritional yeast. Use plant-based butter and fresh herbs like basil or chives for robust flavor.
• Low-Carb Keto Knots: Substitute traditional dough with almond flour or coconut flour-based dough. Use full-fat cream cheese and mozzarella for a ketogenic-friendly option.
• Mediterranean-Style Knots: Incorporate feta cheese and oregano instead of mozzarella. Add sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out of the knots?

Pinch the edges of the dough tightly and seal completely. Ensure no openings are left when folding the dough over the cheese to keep it contained during baking.

• Can I use different types of cheese for the filling?

Yes, you can experiment with cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or fontina. Just make sure they melt well and are similar in quantity to the mozzarella.

• What if my dough is too sticky to work with?

Lightly dust your work surface and hands with flour to prevent sticking. If the dough is extremely sticky, let it rest for a few minutes or add a small amount of flour to make it more manageable.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these knots?

No special equipment is needed. A baking sheet, parchment paper, and basic kitchen tools like a bowl and brush are sufficient to create these cheese-filled garlic knots.

Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sensational cheese-filled garlic knots deliver Italian bakery magic straight to home kitchens. Golden twisted bread hugs melted cheese inside, promising pure comfort with each delicious bite you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) pizza dough
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic Butter Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Set the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
2. Divide the pizza dough into 12 uniform segments, creating equal-sized portions for consistent cooking.
3. Transform each dough segment into a thin rectangular shape, creating a smooth canvas for cheese filling.
4. Position a modest portion of mozzarella cheese at the center of each dough rectangle, strategically placing it for maximum flavor distribution.
5. Carefully fold the dough over the cheese, meticulously sealing the edges to prevent any cheese leakage during baking. Gently twist and shape the dough into classic knot configurations.
6. Arrange the cheese-filled knots on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight spacing between each piece to allow even heat circulation.
7. Create a fragrant garlic butter mixture by blending melted butter with finely minced garlic, freshly chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt for enhanced seasoning.
8. Liberally brush the garlic butter across the surface of each knot, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
9. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until the knots achieve a rich golden-brown exterior and the internal cheese melts completely.
10. Once baked, remove the knots from the oven and apply an additional layer of garlic butter for intensified taste and glossy appearance.
11. Allow the knots to rest briefly, permitting the cheese to stabilize and the flavors to harmonize. Serve warm alongside marinara sauce for a delightful dipping experience.

Notes

• Seal knots carefully to prevent cheese leakage during baking, using firm pinching technique to keep filling inside.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar, fontina, or goat cheese for unique flavor profiles and exciting taste variations.
• Use store-bought pizza dough for quick preparation or make homemade dough for more authentic texture and control over ingredients.
• Adjust garlic butter intensity by increasing or decreasing minced garlic quantity to match personal flavor preferences and spice tolerance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg