Name: Garlic Knots in Air Fryer
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 cup Warm Water; 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast; 1 Tsp Honey; 2 1/2 Cups Bread Flour; 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 Tsp Salt; 1/2 Stick Butter room temperature; 2 tbsp Garlic minced; 1/4 Cup Parsley minced; Zest of one lemon; Salt and pepper

These delicious and easy-to-make garlic knots come together in minutes in the air fryer. It is a great side to take to a cookout, for meal prep, or just to enjoy at dinner. The soft dinner rolls are paired with an explosion of flavor from the garlic and parsley glaze on top of the soft, freshly baked dough.

Garlic knots in the air fryer come together in just several steps and the air fryer does almost all the work. The recipe is easy and pretty straightforward. However, it doesn’t shy away from flavor and texture.

Ingredients You Will Need

The garlic knots come together with just several ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Here are all the ingredients you will need to make these delicious dinner rolls.

Dinner rolls:

Water – lukewarm will activate the yeast.
Active Dry Yeast
Honey – this will help to activate the yeast.
Bread Flour – all-purpose flour works fine too but bread flour produces better texture.
Olive Oil – you will definitely taste the hint of olive oil, so make sure it is good quality.
Sea Salt

Garlic & Parsley Butter for brushing:

Butter – room temperature is key.
Garlic
Parsley
Lemon Zest
Salt
Black Pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is so easy you will make it on repeat throughout the week. It comes together quickly and is fun to make with the kids.

STEP 1: Activate the Yeast.

Start by making the dough. To activate the yeast combine water, yeast, and honey in a cup. Stir well to combine and set aside in a warm place.

If your kitchen is cold or has a draft, place it in the oven with the oven light on (but do not turn the oven on). The heat from the light will be just enough to activate the yeast. You will know it is ready when it starts to bubble and smell like bread.

Step 2: Knead the Dough.

Add the yeast to the flour in a stand-up mixer. Then add the olive oil and salt to it. Knead on medium for about a minute or two.

The dough should be formed in a ball and slightly sticking to the sides of the bowl but you should be able to pull it out without leaving residue.

Grease a clean bowl with olive oil and place the dough in it. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest somewhere warm in your kitchen. You can use the same place as you did for the yeast earlier. It may take up to 3 hours for the dough to rise.

After the dough has doubled in size, roll it over a lightly floured surface. Re-shape the dough into a smooth ball and using a sharp knife or a dough cutter, cut it into smaller balls. Form each one of them into a long and thin coil that you are able to swirl into a knot.

STEP 3: Form the Knots.

Place the dough knots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let the dough double in size one more time left in the same spot as before. This time it won’t take as long but depending on the temperature in your kitchen, it might take up to an hour or two.

STEP 4: Cook the Knots.

Once the dough knots are doubled in size, grease the bottom of your air fryer with non-stick spray and place the dough knots in it with enough space in between them. You might have to work in batches.

Note:

Depending on how big the air fryer is, you can fit up to 5 knots in the container. Keep in mind that they expand when cooking so it is important that there is some space between them and they don’t stick to each other.

Cook according to the chart below using the right temperature and time for your air fryer but make sure to check it every 5 minutes because the air fryers burn bread quickly.

You will know they are done by sticking a toothpick in the middle of the bread roll. If it comes out clean it means they are done.

When the knots are done take them out and cool them on a wire rack. Make the herb and garlic butter while you are waiting for them to cool off.

STEP 5: Brush With Parsley and Garlic Butter.

In a mixing bowl combine the softened butter, parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. Add the salt and pepper and mix well to combine.

Spread all over the dinner roll knots while they are still warm so the butter can melt and seep into the bread. Serve immediately.

Optional Modifications/Substitutes

You can skip adding the butter right away if you don’t want all the dinner rolls to be the same flavor. You can do the same spread with basil instead of parsley or adjust the garlic flavor to your liking. Serve the herb and garlic butter on the side.

Other Options/ Versions of This Recipe?

Want a gluten-free option? No problem. Use this gluten-free flour mix to substitute for the bread or all-purpose flour in the original recipe.

1 ⅓ Cup Oat Flour
¾ Cup Almond Flour
¼ Cup Potato Starch
1 tbsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Salt
½ tsp Xanthan Gum

Make this gluten-free flour mix prior to starting on the garlic knots. Use the same measurements as the flour in the original recipe. So easy!

Cooking Times By Air Fryer Model

Every air fryer is different so make sure you read the instructions before cooking. The general rule is that the temperature is the same as if you are using an oven but the time is slashed in half.

Start by making one dinner roll only and monitor it closely. If the outside is cooking quicker than the inside, lower the heat and continue air frying.

Model	Cooking time	Temperature
Ninja Foodi	12 min	350F
Philips Airfryer XXL (HD9630)	10-15 min	350F
Nuwave Bravo XL Grill	12 min	350F
Power XL 2&3 Qt Vortex	10-15 min	350F
Cuisinart	10-15 min	375F
Cosori	12 min	375F
Breville Smart Oven	10 min	400F

Can You Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! You can make these delicious dinner rolls ahead of time for your party, meal prep, or just for a simple dinner at home. They stay fresh for up to several days in a zip lock bag.

You can also make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. Make the dough and let it double in size.

Then form it into a smooth dough ball and place it in a zip lock bag or wrap it with plastic wrap. When ready to use make sure to bring it to room temperature before continuing to handle it.

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Other Tips & Tricks

Does the air fryer need to be preheated? No. For this recipe, you can start with a cold air fryer. Just make sure it is greased with non-stick spray before adding the dough to it. This will prevent the bread from sticking.

Can I Brush the Dough With the Garlic Butter Before Baking?

Yes, you can cook the garlic knots in the air fryer with the garlic butter. However, substitute the garlic for garlic powder since fresh garlic burns and is not as tasty.

How Do Reheat the Garlic Knots?

When ready to enjoy, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. They will come out just like new.