EASY BALSAMIC BLACK GARLIC KNOTS USING PILLSBURY DOUGH
Have you been curious about black garlic, but are a little too intimidated to give it a whirl in your own kitchen? This is your chance to dive into a new, exciting ingredient and serve up some gourmet garlic knots with very little time or effort!
These easy balsamic black garlic knots using pillsbury dough are incredibly unique and delicious. Most impressively, they are super easy to make!
Made with store-bought Pillsbury Crescent Dough, black garlic, balsamic glaze, fresh garlic, vegan butter and olive oil. These rich and flavorful pillows of heaven are the perfect side dish or starter for your Italian meal, soup, or salad.
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WHAT IS BLACK GARLIC
Black garlic is garlic that has been aged and cured. This process transforms strong, raw garlic into a completely different version of garlic that can be described as soft, yet slightly chewy, sweet, and of course…black.
Black garlic has an incredible unique flavor and, when used thoughtful, can transform a basic dish into an exciting, gourmet meal.
WHERE CAN I FIND BLACK GARLIC
Not too long ago, black garlic could typically only be found in Asian grocery stores. But in recent years, it has made its way onto store shelves in most major grocery stores and can often be spotted at your local farmers market.
You will typically find black garlic in the produce section hanging out with the other garlic or in the Asian isle. It comes in whole heads, peeled cloves, pureed, or as a paste.
For this recipe, you will go with peeled cloves or a black garlic puree or paste.
BALSAMIC BLACK GARLIC SPREAD
Black garlic can simply be peeled and eaten whole. But it is perfect for combining with other ingredients to really make the most of its flavor. For this easy black garlic knots recipe, you will be using the black garlic to make a balsamic black garlic spread to fill your Pillsbury garlic knots with.
To make the balsamic black garlic spread, you will simply combine smashed black garlic cloves with olive oil, melted vegan butter, balsamic glaze, fresh garlic, Italian seasoning and salt. This can all be done in one bowl and can be made in under two minutes!
BALSAMIC VINEGAR VS BALSAMIC GLAZE
For this recipe you will be using balsamic GLAZE. Balsamic glaze is simply balsamic vinegar that has been reduced down and sweetened. You can take the time to do this yourself or you can just grab a bottle of balsamic glaze off of the store shelf to make it easy. For this recipe, just grab the store-bought version, trust me, its just more simple that way. And it’s an excellent ingredient to have on hand for salads, pizzas and sandwiches.
GARLIC KNOTS WITH PILLSBURY DOUGH
Making garlic knots using Pillsbury Dough is sooooo simple! With little effort you can have hot, fresh, mouthwatering garlic knots on your dinner table for all to enjoy.
WHAT DOUGH TO USE FOR PILLSBURY GARLIC KNOTS
Pillsbury has a plethora of options for dough. When it comes to making garlic knots, I find a few options yield wonderful results.
For this particular recipe I went with Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheets. This option was soft and pillowy, with a slightly crisp outer layer. They baked beautifully to golden brown and were soft and fluffy enough to absorb the flavorful balsamic black garlic spread without becoming soggy.
Pillsbury Original Breadsticks and Pillsbury Pizza Dough sheets make great options as well. And they both also happen to be vegan!
Pillsbury dough is super simple to use. Simply open the can, roll out the dough onto a baking sheet, and bake for 13-15 minutes.
For Pillsbury garlic knots we take it a couple of steps further, but those steps are super simple as well! Read on for detailed instructions.
HOW TO MAKE PILLSBURY BLACK GARLIC KNOTS
As mentioned above, making Garlic Knots from Pillsbury dough is incredibly easy.
To begin, simply open can and layout dough on a surface lined with parchment paper.
Parchment paper keeps the dough from getting stuck to the surface of your working space. You can also use a lightly floured surface, but I find parchment paper cleaner and easier to use.
Then cut the dough into strips horizontally (short ways). For this recipe I went with 8 strips because you will be filling each knot with the balsamic black garlic spread. This will make 8 larger garlic knots.
Feel free to make these smaller if desired, but it will be a bit more of a challenge to stuff and tie the knots if working with smaller pieces.
Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough if possible. A pizza cutter will cut through the dough easier than a knife.
Next, spread the balsamic black garlic spread across each section, leaving room on the edges to fold and press the dough.
Enclose the balsamic black garlic spread inside of the dough by folding the dough over lengthwise. Seal the edges by gently pressing with your fingers.
Once dough has been sealed, tie the garlic knot.
I love this part! It’s super easy, yet very satisfying. And it’s a perfect little project for kids to help with. Just be sure to gently handle the dough so the balsamic black garlic spread doesn’t spill out and the dough doesn’t rip.
Repeat this process until all of the knots have been tied. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until golden brown.
That’s it folks! Hot, fresh, unique, vegan, black garlic knots made with Pillsbury dough! Serve and enjoy.
VEGAN PILLSBURY GARLIC KNOTS
Many variations of Pillsbury dough are already vegan. So making vegan Pillsbury garlic knots is super simple! Just use vegan butter. My go-to for vegan butter is Miyoko’s salted, European style plant based butter, but any vegan butter will do the trick.
PERFECT APPETIZER TO PREP AHEAD
It’s always nice to get ahead of the game when it comes to a dinner party or holiday meal. These vegan Pillsbury black garlic knots are absolutely perfect for accomplishing just that.
Prep these black garlic knots ahead of time by preparing the balsamic black garlic spread, then filling and forming the knots. Cover unbaked with plastic wrap in an airtight container, and storing in the fridge.
When you are ready to serve, simply place the unbaked black garlic knots on a tray, bake and serve!
Easy Black Garlic Knots using Pillsbury Dough
Ingredients
- 1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheet can substitute Pillsbury classic pizza crust dough or pillsbury bread sticks dough
FOR BALSAMIC BLACK GARLIC SPREAD
- 2 tbsp black garlic Can use cloves, puree, or paste
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted I used Miyoko's European style salted vegan butter. Can use regular butter if desired
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 2 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped into small pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
PREPARE THE BALSAMIC BLACK GARLIC SPREAD
- Chop fresh garlic cloves into small pieces. Set aside
- Place black garlic in a bowl. If you are using whole black garlic cloves, smash with a fork until they are more of a paste consistency. If you are using a paste or puree you will not have to do this.
- Add the rest of the ingredients list under "Balsamic Black Garlic Spread" to the dish
- Mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside
PREPARE THE DOUGH
- Open the can of Pillsbury dough and lay out on surface with parchment paper
- Cut dough into 8 strips. Cut horizontally (short way across)
- Using a spoon, place balsamic black garlic spread on strips of dough. Leave the edges bare so you can seal the dough properly in the next step
- Fold dough over and seal the edges by pressing down gently with your fingers
- Once folded and sealed, tie each strip into a garlic knot. This is just a simple knot, don't overthink it
- Repeat the folding, sealing, and tying process until all of the knots are tied
- Place knots onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper
- bake for 12-15 minutes or until knots are golden brown
- Serve and enjoy!
