Garlic knots

Garlic knots are a popular Italian-American appetizer or side dish made from strips of pizza dough tied into simple knots, baked until golden, and then tossed in a mixture of garlic, olive oil, parsley, and often Parmesan cheese. They are a staple in pizzerias across the United States, particularly in the New York City area, where they originated as a clever way to use up leftover dough.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

Garlic knots are high in carbohydrates from the refined flour dough and contain a significant amount of fat from the olive oil and cheese coating. A typical serving of two knots provides around 200-300 calories, with minimal protein and some small amounts of iron and B vitamins from the flour.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	320 kcal
Protein	8 g
Carbs	42 g
Fat	12 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	3 g
Sodium	680 mg
Calcium	80 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Potassium	100 mg
Vitamin A	45 IU
Vitamin C	1 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.3 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.2 mg
Niacin (B3)	3 mg

Per 4 knots (112 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, garlic knots represent a classic example of Italian-American culinary ingenuity, transforming simple scraps into a beloved comfort food. Nutritionally, their high garlic content offers potential benefits like antioxidants, though this is often overshadowed by the dish's overall richness.