Garlic Herb Dough Balls (Printable)

Fluffy dough balls with garlic and fresh herbs; perfect warm accompaniment for meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups strong white bread flour
02 - 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 packet (7 g) instant dry yeast
05 - 3/4 cup lukewarm water
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garlic Herb Butter

07 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
08 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How-to Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, sea salt, sugar, and instant dry yeast until evenly distributed.
02 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in lukewarm water and olive oil. Stir to form a soft dough.
03 - Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Meanwhile, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chives, basil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
06 - Preheat the oven to 390°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
07 - Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
08 - Place the dough balls on the prepared baking tray with slight spacing between each.
09 - Brush the dough balls generously with half of the garlic herb butter mixture.
10 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
11 - Remove from oven and immediately brush the remaining garlic herb butter on top. Serve warm.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • They fill your kitchen with the kind of smell that makes people wander in and ask whats cooking.
  • Theyre soft enough to pull apart with your hands and rich enough to feel like a treat without any fuss.
  • You can make the dough ahead and bake them right before people arrive so they come out warm and perfect.
02 -
  • If the dough feels too sticky while kneading, add flour a tablespoon at a time, I once added too much and they baked up dense and tough.
  • Dont skip brushing them twice with the butter, the first coat bakes in and the second coat makes them glisten and taste incredible.
  • Let them rise somewhere actually warm, I used to put mine near a cold window and wonder why nothing happened for two hours.
03 -
  • If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven on for one minute then turn it off and let the dough rise inside with the door cracked, it creates the perfect warm spot.
  • Use a pastry brush with silicone bristles for the butter, the old fashioned ones with natural bristles shed and leave little hairs stuck to the dough.
  • Dont roll the dough balls too tight or theyll resist rising in the oven, keep them gently rounded and soft in your palm.

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