Name: Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or your favorite melty cheese); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Chopped fresh parsley; Extra Parmesan cheese

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These Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups are a delightful combination of soft, flaky crescent rolls filled with gooey cheese and brushed with savory garlic butter. They're golden on the outside, melty on the inside, and absolutely irresistible when served warm from the oven.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups are a crowd-pleasing treat that combines everyone's favorite flavors in one bite-sized package. They require minimal prep work but deliver maximum flavor. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the gooey cheese center creates a delightful texture experience. These versatile rollups work perfectly as an appetizer for parties, a side dish for pasta night, or even a quick snack. With just a handful of ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, you can whip these up in under 25 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Refrigerated crescent roll dough serves as the convenient base for these rollups, providing a flaky, buttery texture without the need to make dough from scratch. It puffs up beautifully in the oven and creates the perfect vessel for the cheese filling.

Mozzarella cheese is the star of the filling with its mild flavor and exceptional melting properties. When baked, it creates those irresistible cheese pulls that make these rollups so satisfying. You can also use other good melting cheeses like provolone or fontina.

Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth and slight saltiness that complements the mild mozzarella. Its nutty flavor profile elevates the overall taste of the rollups and creates a more complex cheese experience.

Unsalted butter forms the base of the garlic butter topping, adding richness and helping the exterior of the rollups achieve a beautiful golden color during baking. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish.

Garlic infuses the butter with its aromatic flavor, creating that classic garlic bread appeal that makes these rollups so craveable. Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor, but garlic powder can work in a pinch if needed.

Italian seasoning blends herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary to add a Mediterranean flair to the garlic butter. This herb mixture complements the cheeses perfectly and adds visual appeal.

Salt enhances all the flavors and brings the garlic butter to life. Even a small amount makes a big difference in the final taste.

Fresh parsley (optional) adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness that balances the richness of the cheese and butter. It's not just decorative—it adds a subtle herbaceous note to each bite.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles.
Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella and a light sprinkle of Parmesan onto each triangle.
Roll each triangle up from the wide end to the tip, enclosing the cheese. Place the rollups on the prepared baking sheet with the seam side down.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Generously brush the garlic butter over each rollup. Reserve a bit of the butter for after baking if desired.
Bake the rollups for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Brush the baked rollups with any remaining garlic butter. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 8 Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups. Preparation takes about 10 minutes, and baking requires 12 minutes, for a total time of 22 minutes from start to finish. These are best served immediately while the cheese is still warm and melty. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.

Variations

Mediterranean Style: Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta cheese to the filling for a Mediterranean twist.

Spicy Rollups: Mix in some red pepper flakes to the garlic butter or add diced jalapeños to the cheese filling for a spicy kick.

Pizza Rollups: Add a thin layer of pizza sauce before the cheese, and include pepperoni slices or cooked Italian sausage for mini pizza rollups.

Herb and Cheese: Mix in fresh herbs like chopped basil, chives, or dill into the cheese filling for a fresh, herbaceous flavor.

Sweet Cinnamon Version: For a dessert option, skip the garlic and use cinnamon sugar butter with a cream cheese filling instead of savory cheeses.

Buffalo Chicken: Add shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce for a protein-packed appetizer.

Spinach and Artichoke: Mix in some chopped spinach and artichoke hearts with the cheese for a spinach-artichoke dip inspired version.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover rollups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they're completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation from making them soggy.

Freezing: These rollups freeze well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Reheating from Refrigerated: For the best texture, reheat refrigerated rollups in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. You can also use an air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for extra crispiness.

Reheating from Frozen: Reheat frozen rollups directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. There's no need to thaw them first.

Microwave Option: While not ideal for maintaining crispness, you can reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if you're in a hurry. The texture won't be as good as oven reheating, but the flavor will still be there.

FAQs

Can I make these Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these rollups up to the baking stage. Assemble them, place on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, brush with the garlic butter and add a couple of minutes to the baking time since they'll be starting cold.

What's the best cheese to use for these rollups?

Mozzarella works best because of its excellent melting properties, but you can experiment with other cheeses. A combination of cheeses like cheddar, provolone, or Monterey Jack can create interesting flavor profiles. Just make sure to include at least one good melting cheese.

My rollups are leaking cheese during baking. How can I prevent this?

Make sure not to overfill the dough triangles with cheese, and seal the edges well when rolling them up. Placing them seam-side down on the baking sheet also helps contain the cheese. A little leakage is normal and creates those delicious crispy cheese bits around the edges.

Can I use homemade dough instead of refrigerated crescent rolls?

Absolutely! If you prefer to use homemade dough, a basic pizza dough or even puff pastry works well. Roll it out to about ⅛-inch thickness and cut into triangles similar in size to crescent roll dough before filling and rolling.

Are there any dairy-free alternatives for this recipe?

Yes, you can use plant-based butter and dairy-free cheese alternatives designed for melting. The texture may be slightly different, but many dairy-free cheeses now melt quite well. Just be sure to check that your crescent roll dough is also dairy-free if needed.

Can I add meat to these rollups?

Definitely! Small amounts of pre-cooked meats like pepperoni, shredded chicken work wonderfully. Just be careful not to add too much filling, or the rollups may burst during baking.

My garlic butter solidified before I could brush it on. What should I do?

If your melted butter starts to solidify, simply return it to the microwave for 5-10 seconds to remelt. You want the butter to be warm and liquid for easy brushing, but not so hot that it melts the dough.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

Yes, you can substitute ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of fresh garlic. The flavor won't be quite as vibrant, but it's a convenient alternative that still provides good garlic flavor.

How do I know when the rollups are done baking?

The rollups are done when they're golden brown on the outside and the dough is fully cooked through—not doughy in the center. You might see some cheese bubbling out, which is a good sign they're ready. If using an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should reach about 200°F.

Can these be made in an air fryer?

Yes! Air fry at 350°F for approximately 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. This method gives them an extra crispy exterior.

Conclusion

Cheesy Garlic Butter Rollups are one of those versatile recipes that deserve a place in your regular rotation. Their simplicity belies their incredible flavor—the combination of flaky dough, melty cheese, and aromatic garlic butter creates something truly greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you're hosting a gathering, looking for a side dish to complement your pasta dinner, or just craving a savory snack, these rollups deliver satisfaction in every bite. The best part is how easily they can be customized to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. With minimal prep time and ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, there's no reason not to whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes. Make them once, and we guarantee they'll become a requested favorite in your household.