Breadsticks
Soft, garlic-buttered breadsticks — Olive Garden style. Pillowy soft inside, slightly crispy outside, brushed generously with garlic butter and finished with Parmesan. The bread you can't stop eating before the meal arrives.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
13 min
Servings
4
Calories
309 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Flour2 cups
- Cheese1 cup
- Butter¼ cup
- Salt1 tsp
- Black Pepper½ tsp
- Cooking Oil1
- Garlic3 cloves
All quantities scaled automatically from 4 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Flour2 cups
- Cheese1 cup
- Butter0.25 cup
- Salt1 tsp
- Black Pepper0.5 tsp
- Cooking Oil1
- Garlic3 cloves
Instructions
- 1
Make the dough: in a stand mixer bowl, combine 1¼ cups warm water (110°F), 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 packet active dry yeast. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
- 2
Add 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil. Knead with dough hook for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, let rise 1 hour until doubled.
- 3
Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a 6-inch rope. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each.
- 4
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- 5
Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown. While they bake, mix 4 tablespoons melted butter with 2 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt.
- 6
Brush the hot breadsticks generously with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm and soft.
Watch how to make Breadsticks
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💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Warm water, not hot. 110°F is right — kills yeast at over 120°F.
- 2.Don't skip either rise. Both are essential for the soft pillowy texture.
- 3.Brush hot. The garlic butter melts into the bread when applied hot. Cold breadsticks don't absorb.
- 4.Eat immediately. Best within 30 minutes of baking. Reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes to refresh.
🔬 Why It Works
Soft breadsticks depend on yeast-based dough (provides the rise and chewy interior), two rises (develops gluten and flavor), and the garlic butter finish (provides flavor and gloss). The hot-brush technique melts the butter into the bread, providing flavor throughout rather than just on the surface. Parmesan adds salt and umami depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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4.6
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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