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Tasty Cheese Garlic Bites

Featured in: Small Snacks with Big Flavor

Turn ordinary store-bought rolls into something special by stuffing them with creamy cheese mix and topping with garlic-infused butter. They'll be on your table in just half an hour.

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Updated on Sat, 26 Apr 2025 14:27:23 GMT
Golden-brown pastries oozing with cheese, sprinkled with fresh herbs on a serving plate. Pin it
Golden-brown pastries oozing with cheese, sprinkled with fresh herbs on a serving plate. | cookingkitchn.com

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Garlic Cheese Rolls

I stumbled upon this recipe by chance while experimenting in my kitchen, craving something warm and cheesy. Now these treats are what everyone begs me to bring to parties. Imagine biting into fluffy, warm crescents packed with oozing mozzarella and a smooth garlic cheese blend, all topped with a splash of golden garlic butter. The smiles I get when folks take their first bite make these so worth making.

What Makes These So Darn Good

Using ready-made crescent dough is my clever timesaver that creates that amazing flakiness every single time. The filling combines stretchy mozzarella with cream cheese for the ultimate gooey middle. I won't use anything but fresh garlic - it's just way tastier than the stuff in jars - and that buttery topping really makes these special. And guess what? They only take about half an hour to throw together when friends drop by without warning.

What You'll Need to Grab

  • Dough: Grab refrigerated crescent roll dough. It should feel cool to the touch and be within its use-by date.
  • Cheeses: - 8 ounces mozzarella block (don't get pre-shredded as it won't melt properly) - 8 ounces cream cheese (stick with full-fat for the best outcome)
  • Fresh Ingredients: - 4-5 cloves fresh garlic (skip the pre-minced) - 1 bunch fresh parsley - 1 stick unsalted butter (don't try margarine)
  • Seasonings: - Fresh black pepper and sea salt as needed - If you want: Italian herb mix for extra punch

How to Put It All Together

Get Everything Ready
First, turn your oven on to 375°F. Get your baking tray ready with parchment paper. Let your cream cheese sit out for about an hour to soften. Chop up your garlic finely and cut your parsley, keeping them in separate bowls.
Mix Your Stuffing
In a big mixing bowl, whip the soft cream cheese until it's light and smooth. Then carefully mix in your freshly grated mozzarella. Add most of your chopped garlic and parsley, saving some parsley for decoration later. Sprinkle in pepper and salt how you like it.
Form Your Rolls
Pop open your dough package and lay out the triangles on a clean counter. Put a big spoonful of your cheese mix on the wider end of each triangle. Starting from that end, roll them up snugly, making sure to press down any filling that tries to leak out.
Pop Them in the Oven
Put your rolled-up crescents on your papered baking sheet, giving them room to grow. Put them in the hot oven for 12-15 minutes until they turn a nice golden color.
Add the Finishing Touch
While they're cooking, melt your butter and stir in the rest of your chopped garlic. As soon as you take the rolls out, brush this garlicky butter all over them and throw on the remaining parsley.

Tricks for Perfect Rolls Every Time

Make sure you squeeze those edges tight when rolling or the cheese will leak everywhere. Don't skip the parchment paper - it'll save you loads of cleaning time later. I sometimes throw in some crushed red pepper for a bit of kick. They taste best straight from the oven when the cheese is all melty and stretchy.

A plate of golden-brown, flaky pastry rolls filled with creamy cheese and garnished with parsley. Pin it
A plate of golden-brown, flaky pastry rolls filled with creamy cheese and garnished with parsley. | cookingkitchn.com

Foods That Go Great With These Rolls

Try dunking these rolls into hot tomato soup with basil. They're also fantastic with a simple Caesar salad if you want something lighter. They'll make any pasta night feel fancy, and they're wonderful next to a roasted chicken dinner. My children love to dip them in warm marinara, though ranch dressing works great too.

A Crowd-Pleaser You'll Make Again

After one batch, you'll see why my copy of this recipe has food stains and wrinkles from constant use. They're just right for when you need something quick that still wows everyone. Whenever I bring these to gatherings, people literally stand around the plate until they've eaten every last one. Keep this one handy - you'll be making it over and over.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead?

They taste best right out of the oven, but you can get everything ready earlier and just bake when you need them.

→ Why soften cream cheese?

Soft cream cheese mixes way easier with the other stuff in your filling.

→ Can I use different cheese?

Sure thing, any cheese that melts works great for the filling.

→ Why line with parchment?

It stops them from sticking and makes cleaning up much quicker.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Put them in a sealed container and warm them up a bit before eating.

Gooey Cheese Garlic Bites

Buttery rolls stuffed with rich cream cheese and stretchy mozzarella, coated in garlicky butter for a crowd-pleasing snack or meal addition.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Bite-Sized Snacks

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 can ready-to-bake crescent dough.
02 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
03 1/2 cup cream cheese, brought to room temperature.
04 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
05 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
06 1/4 cup melted butter.
07 1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic.
08 Salt and pepper as needed.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 375°F and cover your baking tray with parchment to keep the rolls from sticking.

Step 02

Combine the mozzarella, softened cream cheese, chopped garlic and fresh parsley in a bowl and stir thoroughly.

Step 03

Add salt and pepper to your cheese mix, making sure the seasoning spreads evenly throughout.

Step 04

Open the crescent dough on a lightly floured countertop and pull apart the triangles at their marked lines.

Step 05

Spoon about a tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto the wider part of each triangle.

Step 06

Starting at the wide end, gently roll each piece toward the pointed tip, keeping the filling inside.

Step 07

Fold the dough edges inward as you roll to make sure the filling stays completely inside.

Step 08

Put your rolled crescents on the papered baking sheet, leaving room between them.

Step 09

Cook for 12-15 minutes until you see they've turned golden and flaky.

Step 10

While they're cooking, melt your butter in a small pot over low heat until it's totally liquid.

Step 11

Mix the powdered garlic into your melted butter until it's fully blended.

Step 12

When the rolls turn golden, take them out and right away brush them with your garlic butter mix.

Step 13

Scatter some extra fresh parsley on top of your buttered rolls for a nice touch.

Step 14

Let them cool a bit before eating so you don't burn your mouth.

Step 15

Enjoy them while they're still warm for the best flavor.

Notes

  1. Takes little time to make.
  2. Works with store-bought dough.
  3. Perfect starter dish.
  4. Children love them.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cookie sheet.
  • Baking paper.
  • Bowl for mixing.
  • Butter brush.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Milk products (butter, cheese).
  • Wheat (in crescent dough).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 8 g