Bread
Olive Garden Inspired Breadsticks
Soft, fluffy breadsticks brushed generously with buttery garlic seasoning and finished with a sprinkle of salt. They're the perfect side for pasta, soup, or salad.
Inspired by Olive Garden
Prep
25 min + rise
Cook
12 min
Serves
12
Difficulty
Medium
Method
- 1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl and allow the mixture to sit until foamy.
- 2
Add the flour, softened butter, and salt, then mix until a soft dough forms.
- 3
Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 4
Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled in size.
- 5
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each piece into a long breadstick shape.
- 6
Arrange the breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to rise for another 20-30 minutes.
- 7
Bake until the breadsticks are lightly golden on top.
- 8
While they bake, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and parsley.
- 9
Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the garlic butter.
- 10
Brush with a second coat of garlic butter for extra flavor if desired.
- 11
Allow the breadsticks to cool for 2-3 minutes.
- 12
Serve warm alongside pasta, soup, or salad.
Recipe notes
The water should feel warm, not hot, and active yeast should form a foamy cap within 10 minutes. Keep the dough soft and slightly tacky; adding flour until it feels dry produces dense breadsticks.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Cool completely and store airtight at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat at 325°F (165°C) for 5-7 minutes and brush lightly with fresh garlic butter; freeze unbuttered baked sticks up to 1 month.
Make-ahead tips
Mix and knead the dough, then refrigerate it after the first rise for up to 18 hours. Shape, proof until puffy, and bake the next day; mix the garlic butter while the oven heats.
What to serve with it
- - Tomato soup or minestrone
- - Pasta with marinara or Alfredo
- - A crisp Italian-style salad
Equipment needed
- - Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
- - Sheet pan with parchment
- - Pastry brush
Difficulty explained
The shaping is forgiving, but yeast temperature and allowing both rises to finish make this a medium recipe.
Nutrition estimate
Calories
205
Protein
5g
Carbs
33g
Fat
6g
Sat. fat
3g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
2g
Sodium
670mg
Estimated nutrition per serving. Values are approximate and can change materially with brands, substitutions, optional toppings, portion size, and cooking method.
Alternatives
- Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast in the same amount and may be mixed with the flour; the rise may finish sooner.
- Plant butter can replace dairy butter, but use one with enough fat for a clean brush-on finish and check labels for dietary needs.
- Replace parsley with finely grated Parmesan after baking for a saltier finish, reducing the topping salt to compensate.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- If the yeast never foams, the water may have been too hot or the yeast inactive; restart before adding flour.
- Under-proofed sticks spring back and bake tight; properly proofed dough looks puffy and an indentation fills slowly.
- Dark browning means they have gone beyond the intended soft texture; remove when just lightly golden and brush immediately.
Nutrition Context
- Breadsticks are primarily refined carbohydrate, with butter and the salty topping adding fat and sodium.
- One breadstick alongside soup, salad, or a protein-rich meal provides the experience without making bread the entire plate.
FAQ
How warm should the water be for the yeast?
Use water around 105-110 F: comfortably warm, not hot. Hot water can damage the yeast, while cool water makes the rise much slower.
Why are my breadsticks dense?
Too much flour, insufficient kneading, or a short rise can produce dense breadsticks. The dough should remain soft and slightly tacky before rising.
Can I use instant yeast?
Yes. Mix instant yeast directly with the flour and begin checking the dough earlier, since it may rise faster than active dry yeast.
Can the dough be prepared overnight?
After kneading, cover and refrigerate the dough overnight. Let it warm slightly, shape the breadsticks, and complete the second rise before baking.
How should breadsticks be reheated?
Wrap them loosely in foil and warm in a 325 F oven, then brush with a little fresh garlic butter. Microwaving can make them chewy.