Mountain Mike’s Pizza is a popular pizza chain known for its tasty pizzas and unique menu items like garlic knots. Garlic knots are a popular appetizer or side dish that consists of soft, warm, garlic-flavored knots of dough. They are usually served with a cup of marinara sauce for dipping.
At Mountain Mike’s, the garlic knots are made from their pizza dough and coated in garlic butter and parmesan cheese. They are then baked until golden brown. The garlic knots are a go-to item on the Mountain Mike’s menu and a favorite among customers. But some may be wondering, what exactly are the ingredients in Mountain Mike’s garlic knots and what makes them so tasty?
The Main Ingredients
The main ingredients in Mountain Mike’s garlic knots are:
- Pizza dough
- Garlic butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic salt
- Italian seasoning
Let’s take a closer look at each key ingredient:
Pizza Dough
The dough used for the garlic knots is the same fresh, hand-tossed dough used for Mountain Mike’s pizzas. It’s made in-house daily from a simple recipe of flour, water, yeast, olive oil, sugar, and salt. The yeast helps the dough rise and develop that soft, chewy texture. Starting with a quality dough is key for delicious garlic knots.
Garlic Butter
The garlic butter provides that quintessential garlic flavor. It’s a blend of butter, minced garlic, parsley, and a pinch of salt. The garlic butter is generously brushed over the shaped knots before baking, allowing it to seep into the dough.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps the garlic butter and seasonings adhere to the surface of the knots. The cheese also forms a crispy, golden brown topping when baked.
Garlic Salt
Extra garlic salt boosts the garlic taste and seasoning on the knots.
Italian Seasoning
A blend of dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme adds an extra layer of flavor and aroma.
The Baking Process
In addition to quality ingredients, the baking process is also vital for achieving Mountain Mike’s irresistibly soft, chewy, and garlicky knots:
- The dough is portioned into small pieces
- Each piece is hand-rolled and shaped into a knot
- The shaped knots are arranged on a baking sheet
- The knots are brushed generously with garlic butter
- Parmesan cheese and seasonings are sprinkled over the top
- The knots are baked until puffed and golden brown
The knots are baked at a high temperature which allows the dough to fully cook while still retaining moisture for that signature chewy texture. The garlic butter and cheese form a flavorful, appetizing coating.
Serving Suggestions
At Mountain Mike’s, the garlic knots are served warm right out of the oven. Here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy them:
As an Appetizer
The garlic knots are the perfect way to kick off a meal. Enjoy them on their own or with a side of Mountain Mike’s hearty marinara sauce for dipping. The warming garlic flavor will whet your appetite.
As a Side Dish
The knots pair perfectly alongside Mountain Mike’s pizzas, pastas, and salads. The richness helps balance tomato-based dishes while the chewy texture offers contrast to soft pastas.
Add Extra Garlic Butter
For garlic lovers, ask for extra garlic butter to really amplify the flavor. The butter melts over the hot knots for a decadent treat.
For Sharing
An order of garlic knots is meant for sharing! The single-bite knots encourage everyone to dig in. Plus you’ll want to sample the wide assortment of dipping sauces.
Nutritional Information
Here is the nutritional information for Mountain Mike’s garlic knots:
| Nutrition Facts | Per Knot |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Total Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Sodium | 170 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
As you can see, a single garlic knot contains 110 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates. It also provides 3 grams of protein and minimal fiber.
The knots are relatively low in fat at 3 grams per knot, with 2 grams coming from saturated fat. They are also cholesterol and trans fat free.
In terms of sodium, one knot contains 170 milligrams which accounts for part of the flavor from the garlic butter and seasoning.
When enjoyed in moderation, garlic knots can be part of a balanced diet. Keep portion size in mind as the carbohydrates and calories add up with each additional piece.
Why People Love Them
There are many reasons Mountain Mike’s garlic knots have reached cult-favorite status:
The Flavor
The huge garlic taste is obviously the star. The garlic butter provides potent flavor in every bite while the extra seasonings like parmesan, garlic salt, and Italian herbs boost the taste.
The Texture
The soft, pillowy, chewy texture strikes the perfect balance – not too dense but still sturdy enough for dipping.
The Warmth
Served hot and fresh from the oven, the knots are the ultimate comfort food.
The Versatility
They complement all types of meals from pizza to pasta, as either an appetizer or side.
The Portion Size
With single-bite mini knots, it’s easy to snack on a few…or a few more!
The Satisfaction
Covered in flavorful, melted garlic butter and cheese, the knots hit the spot in terms of satisfaction and cravings.
The Presentation
Artfully tossed in parmesan cheese with aromatic herbs, the knots look as good as they taste.
The Accessibility
They are affordably priced, which makes them an easy add-on to any order.
How to Copycat the Recipe
While Mountain Mike’s exact recipe is secret, you can recreate something similar at home with this copycat recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 lb prepared or homemade pizza dough, divided into 16 pieces
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.
- Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll and shape each piece into a knot shape.
- Place knots on prepared baking sheet. Brush generously with garlic butter mixture.
- In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle over knots.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.
Tips
- For best results, use a good quality pizza dough or make it from scratch.
- Add more or less minced garlic to taste.
- These are best served warm right after baking. To reheat, bake at 300°F for 4-5 minutes.
- You can double or triple the recipe for a larger quantity.
While it’s tough to 100% replicate those famous Mountain Mike’s knots, this recipe comes pretty close and allows you to enjoy that garlicky goodness at home.
Where to Get Them
The only place to enjoy authentic Mountain Mike’s garlic knots is at Mountain Mike’s Pizza locations. They are a signature menu item not offered elsewhere.
Mountain Mike’s has over 200 locations primarily in California, Oregon, Utah and Texas. You can find your nearest Mountain Mike’s by searching their website for [locations](https://mountainmikespizza.com/locations/).
Once you arrive, start your meal with an order of garlic knots as an appetizer. Or add them as a side to complement your pizza or pasta. Share an order with friends and family so everyone can get a taste!
Conclusion
Mountain Mike’s famous garlic knots have a magical power to satisfy garlic cravings with their irresistible flavor, texture, and aroma. While the exact recipe is secret, the keys include using fresh, hand-tossed pizza dough, real garlic butter, and parmesan cheese to achieve that bakery-fresh flavor.
Covered in melted garlic butter with Italian seasonings, they emerge from the oven warm and toasty. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer, side, or shared snack, the garlic knots are a stand-out menu item and Mountain Mike’s claim to fame. Fans agree the garlic knots are a must-order menu item to complete any Mountain Mike’s meal.