Easy Gluten-Free Garlic Knots Recipe

Have you ever walked past a bakery and wished you could enjoy those warm, buttery garlic knots without worrying about gluten? If you’re gluten-free, you know how hard it can be to find soft, fluffy bread that tastes just like the classic version.

The good news is that you don’t have to miss out anymore. These Gluten-Free Garlic Knots are soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and brushed with a rich garlic butter that makes every bite irresistible. They are simple enough for beginners and perfect for family dinners, pasta night, or holiday meals.

Once you make these homemade garlic knots, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for store-bought gluten-free bread.

Easy Gluten-Free Garlic Knots Recipe

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These Easy Gluten-Free Garlic Knots are soft, fluffy, buttery, and packed with fresh garlic flavor. Made with certified gluten-free ingredients, they’re perfect for pasta night, soups, holiday dinners, or as a delicious appetizer. Brushed with homemade garlic butter and sprinkled with parsley and Parmesan, these bakery-style garlic knots are easy enough for beginners and taste just like the classic version.

• Author: nakisha
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 garlic knots
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum
• 2¼ teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, certified gluten-free)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the warm milk, eggs, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. Mix with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for about 5 minutes until a soft, sticky dough forms.
2. First Rise: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until puffy.
3. Shape the Knots: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Lightly flour your hands, roll each piece into an 8-inch rope, and tie into a simple knot. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Second Rise: Cover loosely and let the knots rest for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes until lightly golden and cooked through.
6. Make the Garlic Butter: While the knots bake, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt.
7. Finish and Serve: Immediately brush the warm knots generously with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and extra parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Use certified gluten-free ingredients and clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination for anyone with celiac disease. Gluten-free dough should remain slightly sticky, so avoid adding too much flour. These garlic knots freeze well for up to 3 months and can be reheated in the oven for the best texture.

These Gluten-Free Garlic Knots are everything a great bread recipe should be—soft, chewy, buttery, and full of garlic flavor. Unlike many gluten-free breads that turn dry or crumbly, these knots stay tender thanks to a carefully balanced dough.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• 100% gluten-free
• Safe for celiac disease when prepared carefully
• Soft and fluffy texture
• Easy recipe for beginners
• Perfect with pasta, soup, or salads
• Ready in about 2 hours (including rising time)

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Rise Time: 1 hour

Bake Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: About 1 hour 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Always use certified gluten-free ingredients and clean utensils if preparing food for someone with celiac disease.

Essential Gluten-Free Ingredients

For the Dough

• 3 cups (360g) certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum
• 2¼ teaspoons (7g) instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Garlic Butter Topping

• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, use certified gluten-free)

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Shredded mozzarella for cheesy garlic knots
• Dairy-free butter and plant-based milk for a dairy-free version

Gluten-Free Shopping Tips

Choose ingredients labeled:

• Certified Gluten-Free flour
• Certified Gluten-Free baking powder
• Certified Gluten-Free Parmesan cheese
• Certified Gluten-Free yeast if available

Always check labels since ingredients can change.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• 3 cups gluten-free flour
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Whisk until everything is evenly mixed.

2. Add the Wet Ingredients

Pour in:

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Mix with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for about 5 minutes.

The dough will be soft and slightly sticky. This is completely normal for gluten-free dough.

3. First Rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel.

Place it somewhere warm for about 1 hour until the dough becomes puffy.

4. Shape the Knots

Dust your hands lightly with gluten-free flour.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a rope about 8 inches long.

Tie each rope into a simple knot.

Place the knots onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

5. Second Rise

Cover loosely.

Let the knots rest for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

6. Bake

Bake for 18–20 minutes until the tops become golden brown.

The bottoms should also be lightly browned.

7. Make the Garlic Butter

While the knots bake, combine:

• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Mix well.

8. Brush and Finish

As soon as the garlic knots come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter.

Sprinkle with:

• Parmesan cheese
• Extra parsley

Serve warm.

Gluten-Free Success Tips

• Don’t add too much extra flour.
• Gluten-free dough should stay slightly sticky.
• Measure flour using a kitchen scale for the best results.
• Use fresh yeast.
• Let the dough rise in a warm room.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Avoid cross-contamination by using clean bowls, mixers, and baking tools if serving someone with celiac disease.

Assembly and Serving Suggestions

These garlic knots look beautiful piled into a bread basket lined with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm.

Serve them with:

• Gluten-free spaghetti
• Tomato soup
• Chicken Alfredo made with gluten-free pasta
• Gluten-free Caesar salad
• Marinara dipping sauce
• Garlic herb butter
• Olive oil with Italian herbs

For parties, sprinkle extra parsley and Parmesan just before serving.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Room Temperature

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator

Keep refrigerated for 4 days.

Warm before serving for the best texture.

Freezer

Freeze cooled garlic knots in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

Oven:

• Bake at 325°F for 8–10 minutes.

Microwave:

• Heat for about 20 seconds.
• Cover with a damp paper towel to help keep them soft.

Make Ahead

Prepare the dough the night before.

Cover and refrigerate.

Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and baking.

Recipe Variations

Cheesy Garlic Knots

Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella into the dough.

Vegan Version

Replace:

• Eggs with two flax eggs
• Milk with unsweetened almond milk
• Butter with vegan butter
• Parmesan with dairy-free cheese

Herb Garlic Knots

Mix rosemary, oregano, basil, and thyme into the dough.

Spicy Garlic Knots

Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.

Protein-Packed Version

Mix in:

• 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Everything Bagel Garlic Knots

Sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning over the garlic butter before baking.

Pizza Knots

Stuff each knot with a cube of mozzarella before tying.

Serve with gluten-free pizza sauce.

Why These Gluten-Free Garlic Knots Work

Many gluten-free bread recipes become dry after baking.

This recipe stays soft because:

• The eggs provide structure.
• Olive oil keeps the dough moist.
• Apple cider vinegar improves texture.
• A quality gluten-free flour blend creates elasticity.
• Garlic butter locks in moisture after baking.

The result is bakery-style garlic knots that everyone can enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use oat flour instead of gluten-free flour blend?

No. Oat flour alone doesn’t provide enough structure. Use a certified gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that already contains xanthan gum for the best texture.

Why is my gluten-free dough sticky?

That’s normal. Gluten-free dough is much softer than traditional wheat dough. Resist adding too much flour or your garlic knots may become dry.

How do I keep my garlic knots from crumbling?

Measure ingredients carefully, don’t overbake, and brush the knots with garlic butter immediately after baking to help keep them soft and moist.

Can I freeze Gluten-Free Garlic Knots?

Yes. Freeze them after cooling completely. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven for the best texture.

Are these safe for people with celiac disease?

Yes, as long as every ingredient is certified gluten-free and you avoid cross-contamination during preparation.

Health Benefits

These Gluten-Free Garlic Knots offer several benefits:

• Safe for gluten-sensitive and celiac diets
• Homemade with simple ingredients
• No artificial preservatives
• Garlic provides natural antioxidants
• Easy to customize for dairy-free or vegan diets
• Great for meal prep and freezing

Conclusion

Making homemade Gluten-Free Garlic Knots is much easier than you might think. With simple ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have warm, buttery bread that rivals your favorite restaurant version. They’re soft, flavorful, and perfect for everything from family dinners to holiday gatherings.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below and share your favorite variation or serving idea. Your tips might inspire another gluten-free baker to make their best batch yet!