Pull-Apart Rolls
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Oct. 17, 2025
These super easy pull-apart rolls are perfectly golden, with a garlicky, cheesy crust that’s hard to resist. It’s the perfect easy side to go with any meal.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
These pull-apart rolls are what I make when I want an easy, comforting side that still feels homemade. Here’s why my family loves them:
- Soft and Pillowy: Every roll bakes up perfectly golden on the outside and light inside. It’s the kind of texture that just melts in your mouth.
- Simple but Impressive: No need to make dough from scratch. Starting with frozen rolls means all the effort goes into the fun part – brushing on that buttery garlic mixture.
- A Family Favorite: Whenever these hit the table, no one waits for dinner to start. Everyone grabs one right away, and they’re gone before I know it, just like our Easy Dinner Rolls.
- Perfect for Any Meal: I make these for holidays, family dinners, and even soup nights. They go with just about everything and remind me of our Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots.
- Delicious the Next Day: If there are any left, they reheat beautifully. A quick warm-up and they’re just as soft, buttery, and irresistible as fresh from the oven.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Frozen Yeast Dough Rolls – The ultimate shortcut. These pre-portioned rolls save time and effort while baking up soft, fluffy, and golden. I like using Parkerhouse-style for their classic taste and shape.
- Parmesan Cheese – Very finely grated so it melts into the butter mixture and clings to each dough ball. Adds salty, savory richness and that irresistible golden crust.
- Melted Butter – Brings richness and helps bind all the seasonings together while adding flavor to the rolls as they bake. Brush more on top after baking for a glossy finish.
- Olive Oil – Combines with the butter for added depth of flavor and helps coat the dough evenly for that perfect crispy-edged exterior.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – These two pantry spices build in bold, savory flavor without needing fresh ingredients.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Dough Rolls Options: Parkerhouse Rolls are ideal for this recipe, but any brand of frozen yeast dinner rolls will work. Just make sure they’re unbaked and can be shaped or dipped before rising.
- Different Cheese: Parmesan gives a sharp, salty flavor that pairs perfectly with garlic. You can also try Romano, Asiago, or finely shredded mozzarella for a softer, melty finish.
- Pan Options: A springform pan makes it easy to remove and serve the rolls, but you can also use a tube or bundt pan. Adjust baking time slightly if needed.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Arrange dough rolls in pan and brush with butter mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Brush with additional melted butter.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make Entirely Ahead: These pull-apart rolls are best fresh from the oven, but they still taste incredible the next day. Just reheat them in the oven and they’re good to go.
What To Serve with Pull-Apart Rolls
Holiday Mains
- We love serving these Pull-Apart Rolls alongside centerpiece dishes like Roast Turkey, Baked Honey Ham, or Prime Rib with Au Jus for a festive spread.
- The soft, buttery rolls are perfect for soaking up rich gravies and sauces from mains like Tender Pork Ragu or Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
Soups and Stews
- Pair these rolls with cozy bowls of Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup or Tuscan Style Beef Stew for the ultimate cold-weather meal.
- They’re also delicious dipped into hearty soups like White Chicken Chili or Curry Butternut Squash Soup, where every bite soaks up the flavor.
Pastas
- These rolls make an easy addition to weeknight meals like Baked Rigatoni, Healthy Chicken Alfredo, or Bruschetta Chicken Pasta.
Pull-Apart Rolls
These Pull-Apart Rolls are so irresistible, you'll want to make a double batch if you're having people over. It's the perfect easy side to go with any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen yeast dough rolls, 24ct, such as Bridgford Parkerhouse
For Parmesan Garlic Mixture:
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, very finely grated
- ¼ cup melted butter, plus more for topping at end
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Defrost Parkerhouse Rolls according to package instructions.
- In a bowl, combine all mixture ingredients and stir to incorporate. When rolls are thawed, dip each roll ball into mixture to coat well.
- Tightly arrange dough balls into the bottom of greased springform pan with removable bottom – snugly nestle them into a single layer.
- Brush any remaining butter mixture onto the top of rolls. Place springform pan onto a rimmed baking sheet.
- Cover and let rise in a moderately warm, draft-free space until dough is doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F with rack on lower middle position. Place risen dough in springform pan (still on rimmed baking sheet) in oven; bake 25-30 minutes or until nicely browned on top – watch carefully and cover with foil if top starts to brown too quickly before rolls are done.
- Brush rolls with additional melted butter, if desired. Remove sides of pan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Let the rolls thaw completely before coating and arranging them in the pan. If they’re still cold or slightly frozen, they won’t rise properly and the texture could turn out dense.
- I like to thaw my Parkerhouse rolls on a rimmed, greased sheet pan and cover with another rimmed sheet pan.
- If the tops start browning too quickly before the rolls are fully baked, loosely tent them with foil. This keeps the tops golden without drying out the center.
- These rolls are best served warm, but they reheat well the next day. Just pop them in the oven or microwave until soft and steamy again.
- If using a tube pan or bundt pan, follow same instructions but adjust baking time if needed. Rolls may need to cool enough for sides to pull away from pan before inverting the pan for easy removal.
- This recipe is part of our Savory Bread Recipes Collection.
- We love serving these Pull-Apart Rolls alongside centerpiece dishes like Roast Turkey, Baked Honey Ham, or Prime Rib with Au Jus
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.4g | Protein: 4.3g | Fat: 7.4g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 157.1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4.7g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different brand of frozen rolls?
Yes, any similar frozen yeast dinner rolls should work well. Just make sure they’re the same size and follow the defrosting instructions on the package.
What’s the best way to thaw the frozen rolls?
I like to thaw the frozen dough balls on a greased sheet pan, covered loosely with another rimmed baking sheet. You can also use plastic wrap, but make sure it’s lightly greased so it doesn’t stick to the dough.
Do I have to use a springform pan?
A springform pan makes it really easy to remove the rolls and transfer them to a serving plate without messing up the pull-apart shape. That said, you can also use a bundt pan, tube pan, or even a deep round cake pan.
How long do leftovers keep?
If you’re lucky to have leftovers, store them covered at room temp for a day or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to soften.
More to Bake and Eat
- Rosemary Garlic Rustic Bread – With a soft, fluffy center and a lovely golden brown outside, this rustic rosemary garlic bread has the most delicious garlic flavor. It goes nicely with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a delightful starter to all of your favorite main meals.
- Better Than O.G. Breadsticks – You can easily make and enjoy these fluffy, soft Olive Garden Breadsticks straight out of the oven by using just a few pantry staples
- Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread – There is no garlic bread that’s as good as this delicious, easy cheese garlic bread. It tastes incredibly with the perfect balance of garlic and cheese.
- Chewy Crusty French Bread – Crusty, chewy French bread is a must-have at any meal. This recipe gives a crust that is perfectly crispy and browned, with a soft, chewy inside.