These soft, fluffy dough balls are packed with garlic and herb flavor and are surprisingly easy to make. They are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish for your next dinner party. This recipe makes a large batch, perfect for sharing!
Yields: 24-28 dough balls Prep time: 15 minutes + 1 hour rising time Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Dough Balls:
2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) Active Dry Yeast
1 ½ cups Warm Water (about 110°F/45°C)
1 tbsp Sugar (or maple syrup)
4 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus extra for dusting)
2 tsp Salt
¼ cup Olive Oil
For the Garlic-Herb Coating:
½ cup Vegan Butter, melted
4-5 Cloves Garlic, minced (or 1 ½ tsp garlic powder)
¼ cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp Dried Oregano or Italian Seasoning
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black Pepper
For the Dipping Sauce (as pictured):
You can serve this with your favorite dip, but here is a simple and delicious recipe for a creamy garlic dipping sauce.
1 cup Vegan Mayonnaise
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Fresh Parsley, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and frothy.
2. Make the Dough: Add the olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine. Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it by hand for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. (You can also do this in a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5-7 minutes).
4. First Rise: Lightly oil the same large bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9x13 inch baking dish. If you want a setup like the picture, find a small oven-safe bowl or ramekin and place it in the center of your dish or skillet.
6. Shape the Dough Balls: Punch down the dough. Divide it into 24-28 equal pieces (each piece should be about the size of a golf ball). Roll each piece into a tight, smooth ball.
7. Coat and Arrange: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted vegan butter, minced garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Dip each dough ball into the garlic-herb mixture, coating it completely. Arrange the coated dough balls snugly around the center bowl in your prepared pan.
8. Second Rise (Optional but Recommended): Cover the pan and let the dough balls rise for another 20 minutes. This will make them even lighter and fluffier.
9. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough balls are a deep golden brown.
10. Serve: Remove from the oven. If you baked with an empty ramekin in the center, carefully fill it with your prepared garlic dipping sauce or your favorite marinara. Serve warm and enjoy!
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