Today we are making garlic knots, it is a classic Italian pizzeria snack made from strips of pizza dough tied in a knot, and we are adding a twist with some stuffed vegan cheese.
Ingredients for Vegan Garlic Knots Recipe
Yeast Activation
Lukewarm Water – 100 ml
Sugar – 1 Tablespoon
Yeast – Half Teaspoon
Dough for Vegan Garlic Knots
All-Purpose Flour – 300 Grams
Dry rosemary leaves – 1 Teaspoon
Salt – 1 Teaspoon
Olive Oil – 2 Teaspoons
Yeast Water
Olive oil for pan – few drops
Filling for Vegan Garlic Knots
Garlic Bulbs – 2
Salt – half teaspoon
Red chili flakes – 1 teaspoon
Vegan Cheese – 100 grams
Dressing for Vegan Garlic Knots
Vegan butter – 3 Tablespoons
Black pepper powder – half teaspoon
Oregano Leaves or parsley leaves
Step 1 - Let’s start by activating the yeast, in a bowl, take 100 ml of lukewarm water, and then add 1 tablespoon of sugar, mix the sugar till it dissolves in the water. Add half teaspoon of dry yeast, the yeast will feed on the sugar which will help it to get activated.
This process may take around 15 minutes.
Step 2 - To a bigger bowl, add 300 grams of all-purpose flour, then take around 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary leaves and crush them and then add them to the bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, mix it well.
Then add the yeast water to the pan gradually, and mix. Do not add all the yeast water all together as it might make the dough watery. I ended up adding all the water to the bowl and it was sufficient. You may increase or decrease the quantity of water in the dough as per your own requirement. Now it’s time to get your hands dirty. We are going to knead the dough till it’s well done. As you have seen this is the classic pizza dough preparation.
It took me around 10-12 minutes. You will always know when the dough is done right.
Step 3 - Roll the dough in a ball shape and place it back into the bowl. Add few drops of olive oil and then cover the dough with it. Now cover the bowl with a wet towel or plastic film and let it rest and rise for 30 mins to 1 hour.
Step 4 - While the dough is resting, take 2 medium bulbs of garlic, cut both of them towards the end, just like this. We are not going to remove the skin of the garlic. Place both of them on a silver foil and then add olive oil to it. Now wrap the foil tightly and place it in oven for 40 minutes over 180 C.
Step 5 - After 1 hour, remove the plastic film, the dough is soft and fluffy. Sprinkle some dry flour on the dough, also on the base of the surface. Stretch it with your palms, and then roll it out with a rolling pin. We are trying for a rectangular shape, but don’t worry too much about it as we will get the desired shape by hook or crook. Just try to roll it out evenly.
Step 6 - Once the dough is rolled out, fold it from the center. It’s time to get the rectangular shape I promised. Take a knife and slice the edges, now unfold the dough.
Step 7 - Let’s make the garlic paste, we had removed the garlic from the oven after 40 mins and it was resting and cooling down since then and see how amazing it smells and the garlic has cooked evenly and turned so soft. You can just squeeze the garlic bulb at the bottom and it will come right up. So don’t spend time pealing it, take a bowl and squeeze both the garlic bulbs in it. Although, the garlic is soft I am just making sure there are no lumps. Then add half teaspoon of salt, you can add other condiments too as per your liking.
Step 8 - Now add the garlic paste on the dough and spread it evenly. Sprinkle some red chili flakes, and then some grated vegan cheese. I have used around 100 grams of Vegan cheese. You can even make these garlic knots without any filling, but I promise you this will not disappoint. Fold back the dough, and press it lightly around the edges, and with the help of the rolling pin, roll it once or twice lightly.
Step 9 - Slice the dough in equal parts, you can change the width as per your liking, I am going for roughly 1 inch width.
Step 10 - Take one of the slice, twist it just like this and then tie a simple knot, and repeat the same with the rest of the slices.
Step 11 - Place them on a tray lined with a baking sheet or just lightly brush the tray with olive oil and then bake for 20 minutes over 180 C.
Step 12 - Meanwhile let’s prepare the dressing for the vegan cheese garlic knots, to a pan add 3 tablespoons of vegan butter, make sure that the heat is set to low and let it melt gradually. Then add half teaspoon of black pepper powder, some finely chopped oregano leaves, in the traditional recipe people usually add parsley but feel free to experiment. Mix everything and switch off the heat.
Step 13 - It took me close to 20 minutes for the vegan garlic knots to get this color, you can make them more crispy but I prefer them just slightly golden on the outside. This way they are light crunchy on the outside and so so soft on the inside and the cheese is melted just right.
Step 14 - Now dress them with the vegan butter & oregano dressing and like I always say be generous with dressing. The vegan butter will add a beautiful glaze to the garlic knots.
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Just look at that, it is so hard to resist myself not to eat them. This is one of those snacks which can be prepped in advance and so good for game nights or parties.
The best part about this recipe is that you can make it with so many different variations, with the stuff you have at hand and the flavors of your choice. This is perfect golden from all the sides and then the outside is light crispy and so soft on the inside. Guys do try this beautiful recipe at home, it’s so easy & trust me everyone will be impressed with the flavors.
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