Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots – Buttery, Cheesy, Irresistible
If you’ve ever dreamed of garlic bread and gooey cheese joining forces in the most mouthwatering way possible, these Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots are your dream come true.
Soft, fluffy dough filled with melty mozzarella, brushed with garlicky butter, and baked until golden and irresistible — these knots are the perfect side dish, snack, or party appetizer. Whether you serve them with marinara sauce or enjoy them straight from the oven, every bite delivers buttery garlic flavor and cheesy bliss.
This recipe is simple, fun to make, and guaranteed to impress. The best part? You only need a few basic ingredients to create something that feels straight out of your favorite Italian restaurant.
🧈 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy inside, golden outside
- Gooey, melty cheese in every bite
- Easy to make with store-bought or homemade dough
- Perfect appetizer, snack, or side dish
- Freezer-friendly and great for make-ahead
🧀 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb (450g) pizza dough – store-bought or homemade
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Marinara sauce, for dipping (optional but recommended)
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
Step 2: Prepare Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Shape Knots
Cut the dough into 12 equal strips. Place a small pile (about 1 tablespoon) of shredded mozzarella in the center of each strip. Gently fold and pinch the edges over the cheese to seal it inside. Roll each strip into a rope, then tie it into a loose knot.
Step 4: Make Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture generously over each knot.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Place the knots on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 14–16 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
Step 6: Brush with More Butter
As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the warm knots with any remaining garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan on top.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy
Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out pizza dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick and cut into 12 strips.
- Place shredded mozzarella in the center of each strip, fold over, and seal edges.
- Tie each strip into a loose knot and place on the baking sheet.
- Mix butter, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and seasoning; brush over knots.
- Bake 14–16 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce.
Notes
🧄 Tips for Perfect Garlic Knots
- Seal the dough well. Pinch edges tightly so the cheese doesn’t leak out during baking.
- Don’t overbake. Take them out when they’re golden brown — that keeps them soft.
- Use good-quality cheese. Low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully without making the dough soggy.
- Make them ahead. Shape and refrigerate the knots up to 24 hours in advance, then bake fresh.
- Brush twice! Brushing before and after baking gives them that restaurant-style buttery sheen.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots are the ultimate versatile side. Try them with:
- Pasta dishes: Pair with spaghetti, lasagna, or baked ziti.
- Soups: Especially tomato basil, minestrone, or creamy mushroom.
- Pizza night: A cheesy twist to complement your favorite pie.
- Appetizer boards: Serve alongside olives, cured meats, and dipping sauces.
🕒 Make Ahead, Storage, & Reheating
- To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 5–6 minutes or microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- To Freeze: Freeze baked knots in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen at 350°F until hot.
🧂 Variations
- Cheese Explosion: Use a mix of mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar.
- Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
- Herb Lover’s Version: Mix in fresh basil, oregano, or rosemary.
- Bacon Lovers: Add crumbled cooked bacon before tying the knots.
- Stuffed Marinara Knots: Add a tiny spoonful of marinara sauce inside with the cheese for pizza-like flavor.
❤️ Why FoodieMoms Love It
At FoodieMoms, we’re all about quick, crave-worthy comfort food, and these Cheese-Filled Garlic Knots deliver on every level. They’re buttery, cheesy, and perfectly shareable — ideal for family dinners, parties, or anytime you want to turn simple dough into something spectacular.
The best part? You can use store-bought dough for a quick weeknight treat or homemade dough when you’re feeling extra creative. Either way, these cheesy bites are guaranteed to disappear fast!
🧠 Fun Fact
Garlic knots originated in New York pizzerias in the 1970s as a way to use leftover pizza dough scraps. What started as a thrifty kitchen hack has now become an iconic side dish — and when you add cheese, it transforms into pure indulgence.
