You Don't Need Much To Turn Store-Bought Pizza Dough Into A Delicious Appetizer

Looking for a way to take predictable spaghetti nights to the next level? Look no further than DIY garlic knots, the ultra-savory, unconventional use for pre-made pizza dough. With just a few staple ingredients, refrigerated store-bought pizza dough can be sliced into strips and twisted into the craveable garlic knots foodies know and love from their favorite pizza joints and sit-down Italian restaurants.

This hack is also wicked cost-effective. At a Walmart in Chicago, a 13.8-ounce tube of Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough costs $3.82. Considering each tube is enough to make 16 garlic knots, that shakes out to just $0.24 per knot. Pre-made pizza dough can be found in the refrigerated dough section at most grocery stores. We even use Trader Joe's refrigerated pizza dough to make a quick focaccia.

To make them, simply twist those 16 strips of uncooked dough into the garlic knot shape. For more detailed instructions on forming the knot, take a cue from our classic buttery garlic knots recipe. From there, simply pop those knots in the oven and bake according to the package instructions, checking for doneness around the 10-minute mark. Your garlic knots will be ready once they've reached a craveable golden brown hue. Any more than 15 minutes is likely going to be too long. Pro tip: Bake the knots on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet, so you can brush 'em with the garlicky butter sauce as soon as they're taken out of the oven (easier cleanup later on).

To finish, grab a pastry brush and coat your garlic knots with a generous layer of melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, and parsley. Opt for dried herbs over fresh ones for a more concentrated flavor. A dried Italian seasoning mix would also work here. If you're feeling ambitious, a sprinkle of coarse sea salt and grated Pecorino Romano would take these bad boys to the next level. Don't feel like tying the knots? You can also whip up a batch of quick breadsticks using store-bought pizza dough. Just brush those sticks with the same butter-garlic sauce for a burst of restaurant-worthy flavor in every bite.

To serve, dip your garlic knots in marinara and enjoy as-is. You could even dip them in herbaceous dill ranch or garlic aioli for some unexpected contrast. Garlic knots make a crowd-pleasing snack at tailgates, football watch parties, and movie nights. They would also complete pizza night at home. Or, these savory garlic knots could serve as a flavorful side dish to complete any dinner. Pair 'em with a fresh green salad and pot roast or mushroom risotto. These hearty golden beauties also make a knockout accouterment to any elevated pasta. Bust out the pipette ragu, shrimp scampi, or vodka penne and a glass of Albariño, and you're on your way. Got a go-to soup recipe? Garlic knots are made for dunking into everything from creamy potato leek soup to southwest vegetarian chili.