Breadsticks

★★★★★
4.6(554 reviews)
Updated

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

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Breadsticks — homemade International snacks recipe with flour, cheese, butter, 4 servings, ready in 28 minutes
Snacks
Hard

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Smart Servings Scaler

servings
  • 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. 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. 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. 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. 4

    Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

  5. 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. 6

    Brush the hot breadsticks generously with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm and soft.

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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

Can I make these ahead?▾
Bake, cool, freeze in a bag up to 2 months. Reheat at 350°F for 8 minutes (or 10 from frozen). Brush with fresh garlic butter after reheating.
Why are mine hard?▾
Over-baked, or used too much flour, or yeast was dead (water too hot). Soft breadsticks need fresh yeast, just-tacky dough, and 12-15 minutes baking max.
Can I add cheese?▾
Yes — sprinkle shredded mozzarella on the breadsticks in the last 3 minutes of baking. Or brush with garlic butter, then add cheese, and broil 1 minute to melt.
What to serve with?▾
Marinara sauce for dipping (classic), olive oil with balsamic, garlic-herb butter, alfredo sauce, or just eat plain.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)

Calories309kcal
Protein29g
Carbohydrates49g
Fat14g
Fiber4g
Sugar40g

* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.

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