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When you want garlic bread in a hurry for your spaghetti dinner or meaty Neapolitan pasta, these garlic and butter crescent rolls are an excellent solution. Add some Parmesan cheese and herbs if you like, or just use the butter and garlic mixture. Garlic powder may be used instead of fresh garlic. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder or granulated garlic as a substitute for the fresh.
Is a Croissant Similar to a Crescent Roll?
The shape is similar, but there are big differences. Croissants are made with puff pastry that has been made with layers of butter, while crescent rolls are made with a yeasted dough. Think of croissants as pastry and crescents as bread.
What You’ll Like About These Rolls
Effortless prep. Crescent roll dough makes these incredibly easy and fast.
Garlic butter goodness. Melted butter and garlic infuse every bite with aroma and flavor.
Customizable. Add herbs, Parmesan, or seasoning blends to change them up.
Perfect side dish. Goes with pasta, soups, casseroles, salads, and more.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: Provides richness and browns beautifully in the oven.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the rolls bold flavor; use a small clove for milder taste or a large one for more intensity.
- Crescent roll dough: Refrigerated crescent dough keeps things simple and guarantees soft, flaky rolls.
- Fresh herbs (optional): Basil or parsley add a bright, fresh note.
- Parmesan cheese (optional): Adds a salty, savory finish that complements the garlic butter.
Steps to Make Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet.
- Melt the butter with garlic and optional herbs.
- Separate the crescent dough into triangles.
- Brush each triangle with garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan, if using.
- Flip and roll the dough from the wide end to form crescents.
- Arrange on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown.
Tips for Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls
- Brush some garlic butter on the tops right after baking for extra flavor.
- Use parchment or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
- A pastry brush makes it easier to distribute the butter evenly.
- Sprinkle a little flaky salt over the hot rolls for added texture.
- For stronger garlic flavor, infuse the butter with crushed garlic for a few minutes before brushing.
Recipe Variations
- Cheesy garlic crescents. Add a small pinch of mozzarella or cheddar inside each triangle before rolling for a gooey, melty center.
- Herb and Parmesan rolls. Mix dried Italian seasoning or fresh chopped herbs directly into the butter before brushing.
- Everything bagel topping. Brush with butter, then sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning before baking.
- Garlic ranch crescents. Add a teaspoon of dry ranch seasoning to the butter for a savory, tangy twist.
- Pesto crescents. Spread a thin layer of basil pesto over each triangle before rolling—simple but delicious.
- Spicy garlic rolls. Add crushed red pepper flakes to the butter for a lightly spicy version.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with spaghetti, lasagna, baked ziti, or any saucy pasta dish.
- Pair with soups like tomato, minestrone, or broccoli cheddar.
- Add them to a salad night as an easy bread option.
- Serve alongside roasted chicken or pork chops for a comforting meal.
- Choose them for holiday dinners or potlucks—they bake quickly and travel well.
How to Store Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls
Refrigerate: Store cooled rolls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes or briefly in the microwave.
Freeze: Freeze baked, cooled rolls for up to 2 months. Thaw and rewarm in the oven to refresh the texture.
I love finding new ways to use refrigerated biscuits and crescent rolls or frozen puff pastry. Here are a few more ideas:
- Ham and Honey Mustard Pinwheels
- Pesto Crescent Pinwheels
- Cheesy Garlic Biscuit Loaf
- Easy Beef and Beans With Biscuits
Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 ½ tsp finely minced fresh basil or parsley (optional)
- 2 to 4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 tube crescent rolls, (8 ounces)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a small cup or bowl, combine the butter and garlic. Add the finely minced basil or parsley, if desired. Microwave in a few short bursts just until the butter has melted. Remove the butter mixture from the microwave and set it aside.4 tbsp butter | 1 clove garlic | 1 1/2 tsp finely minced fresh basil or parsley (optional)
- Open the tube of crescent rolls and separate the triangles. Brush a triangle lightly with some of the butter and garlic mixture. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Flip the triangle over and roll it up, starting with the wide end (I do this on wax paper to keep the counter clean). Place the crescent on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops lightly with more of the butter mixture. Sprinkle with more Parmesan, if desired. Repeat with the remaining triangles.1 tube crescent rolls | 2 to 4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Bake the crescent rolls for about 16 to 18 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
