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Pizza Dough Garlic Balls

Simple to make with just a few simple ingredients, these pizza dough garlic balls are filled with a garlic herb butter and are so delicious!
Pizza dough garlic balls garnished with fresh parsley.

Last Updated on July 27, 2021 by Betty Davies

These pizza dough garlic balls are one delicious bite! Filled with a garlic and herb butter, they are an easy to make side or appetizer that’s perfect to serve with pizza and pasta dishes.

Pizza dough garlic balls on a serving plate garnished with parsley.

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Whenever we go to our favorite pizza place I can never resist ordering some garlic dough balls, and this homemade version hits all of the right notes!

These pizza dough garlic balls are super easy to make at home with just a few ingredients, and they are full of buttery goodness. Just be sure to eat them over a plate, because they are a little bit messy, in the best possible way!

These garlic balls make for one delicious bread side dish that everyone will love!

Be sure to try my Garlic Butter Croutons and Cheesy Garlic Bread too!

Why you will love this recipe!

  • Simple ingredients: Made with store bough pizza dough and a few other basic ingredients, these dough balls come together quickly.
  • Make ahead: Prep these ahead of time, then just pop them in the oven when you are ready to serve.
  • So delicious: If you love pizza, garlic and butter then I guarantee you will love these!
  • Dietary info: These pizza dough garlic balls are vegetarian.
Close up of pizza dough garlic balls on a serving plate.

Ingredients

  • Butter: Use salted butter for this recipe. If you use unsalted, add a bit of extra salt to the mix. Soften the butter before using so that it mixes well with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic cloves for the best flavor.
  • Parsley: Parsley adds a nice mild freshness. Chop it finely to add in to the butter and a little extra for garnish too.
  • Pizza dough: I used frozen store bought pizza dough and thawed it in the fridge overnight to use. If you have a favorite pizza dough recipe, you can use that instead.

How to make pizza dough garlic balls

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

  • Mix together the ingredients for the garlic butter (photo 1).
  • Cut the pizza dough into circles, add the garlic butter and seal (photo 2).
  • Brush with oil and place on a lined baking sheet (photo 3).
  • Bake until golden brown (photo 4).
Four step by step recipes to show how to make and cook the recipe.

Recipe Variations

These pizza dough garlic balls are pretty delicious as they are, but there are a few easy additions and substitions you can make to suit your tastes.

  • Add cheese! Some grated parm or shredded cheddar can be mixed into the butter for cheesy garlic balls.
  • Use different herbs or spices. Fresh cilantro, oregano or dill would work great in place of the parsley, or try adding some chili flakes for a spicy kick.
  • Make them vegan by using a plant based butter.
  • Use a different dough. A bread dough or even crescent rolls would also work great for these balls! Just be aware that the cooking time may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make them ahead of time?

You can make the dough balls up to the point of cooking and then keep them refrigerated for a day or two before they are ready to bake. They are best enjoyed warm, as soon as you’ve cooked them, but leftovers will keep well for a couple of days and can be reheated in the oven at 350F.

Do you have to brush them with oil?

Yes, this helps them to get nice and crispy and golden brown. You can use a brush to brush a thin layer of oil over them, or pour a little oil into your hands and rub it over, I find this method much quicker, though a little messier!

Overhead shot of pizza dough garlic balls on a plate with fresh parsley.

Serving Suggestions

These pizza dough garlic balls can be served as a side, with as an appetizer by themselves or paired with a marinara or ranch dip. As a side, they are great to serve alongside pastas and pizzas. Try them with:

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Soften the butter before mixing it with the garlic and parsley. I like to take it out of the fridge at least an hour before making these.
  • Don’t worry if the pizza dough doesn’t fully seal over the butter, it can be tricky to get it to hold in place. As long as it’s wrapped up the sides and partly sealed they’ll work out just fine.
  • I found the easiest method to seal the butter was to stretch the sides up, twist them together and then lightly press down.
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking so that they brown evenly.
  • Let the pizza dough garlic balls cool slightly before serving as the butter will be super hot.
  • Eat them over a plate to catch any garlic butter that wants to escape!
Overhead shot of a garlic dough ball.

More Garlic Side Dishes

If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!

Pizza dough garlic balls garnished with fresh parsley.

Pizza Dough Garlic Balls

Simple to make with just a few simple ingredients, these pizza dough garlic balls are filled with a garlic herb butter and are so delicious!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 balls
Calories: 250kcal
Author: Betty Davies

Ingredients

  • 1 stick salted butter (113g)
  • 6 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 16 ounces pizza dough (thawed) (454g)
  • flour for dusting
  • oil for brushing

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F / 200c.
  • Mix together the butter, garlic, parsley and salt and pepper. Set to one side.
  • Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the pizza dough til fairly thin, about the thickness you'd roll it out for a thin crust pizza.
  • Cut circles out of the dough with a 3 inch circular cookie cutter.
  • Roll a tablespoon of the garlic butter into a ball and place in the center of each circle of pizza dough.
  • Stretch the sides of the dough over the butter ball and twist and pinch to seal.
  • Brush or rub oil over each dough ball and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.
  • Let sit for a couple of minutes to cool before serving.

Notes

  • Soften the butter before mixing it with the garlic and parsley. I like to take it out of the fridge at least an hour before making these.
  • Don’t worry if the pizza dough doesn’t fully seal over the butter, it can be tricky to get it to hold in place. As long as it’s wrapped up the sides and partly sealed they’ll work out just fine.
  • I found the easiest method to seal the butter was to stretch the sides up, twist them together and then lightly press down.
  • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking so that they brown evenly.
  • Let the pizza dough garlic balls cool slightly before serving as the butter will be super hot.
  • Eat them over a plate to catch any garlic butter that wants to escape!

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 517mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 437IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 2mg

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