Looking for a delicious and easy recipe for soft Italian breadsticks? These garlic and herb homemade breadsticks are just like Olive Garden breadsticks, but are super easy to make at home.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
These soft Italian breadsticks are a classic appetizer or side dish that everyone loves. They're made with simple ingredients and are easy to prepare, even for beginner bakers.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Soft Italian Breadsticks Ingredients
- How to Make Soft Italian Breadsticks
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Soft Italian Breadsticks Ingredients
Use a clear shot of the ingredients for this recipe, prepped, and labeled if necessary. Insert the ingredients into the list below, omitting quantities.
- Warm water - 110℉.
- Active dry yeast - One packet.
- Sugar
- Bread flour - Try to use actual bread flour. The difference is that All Purpose flour is made from mostly hard wheat, while Bread Flour is blended with soft wheat flour also, so you get a fluffier bread texture.
- Salt
- Butter - Melted.
- Garlic salt - Or, both garlic powder and salt.
- Parsley - Dried parsley flakes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Soft Italian Breadsticks
Learn how to make soft Italian breadsticks that are just like the ones you get at Olive Garden. If you're a fan of Olive Garden's breadsticks, you'll love this recipe. The breadsticks are soft, fluffy, and garlicky, just like the ones you'll find at the restaurant.
This recipe is easy to follow for breadsticks that are loaded with garlic and herbs, for a flavor that is simply irresistible.
- They're easy to make! Even if you're not a experienced baker, you can easily make these breadsticks at home.
- Taste's just like Olive Garden's! If you're a fan of Olive Garden's breadsticks, then you'll love these homemade versions.
- Perfect for any meal! Whether you're having a casual dinner party or a formal holiday gathering, these breadsticks are sure to be a hit.
Proof The Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine the water, dry yeast, and sugar. Let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. It will get foamy on the top if the yeast is live, if it doesn't get new yeast and start over.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast mixture, and melted butter. Mix well.
Knead the Breadstick Dough
- Once the flour mixture forms a shaggy ball, pull the dough out and knead it for five minutes on a floured surface.
- Using a little flour, shape the ball of dough into a square about 9" x 9".
- Cut down the middle, then cut across both halves six times for 12 equal sections.
Roll Into Long Breadsticks
- Roll out each of the twelve portions of dough into 8-9" length ropes.
- Place parchment paper on two rimmed baking sheet and spread six dough ropes on each, keeping distance apart so the dough can rise.
- Cover the breadsticks with a towel and let the dough bulk proof (rise for 45 minutes.
Brush With Garlic Butter and Bake
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining melted butter, garlic salt, and dried parsley flakes. Using a pastry brush, brush the breadsticks with half the mixture.
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (204℉) and bake breadsticks for 12 minutes, or until light golden brown. Remove from one and immediately brush with the remaining garlic butter. Serve while hot.
Serving Suggestions
These copycat Olive Garden Italian breadsticks are delicious served warm with your favorite dipping sauce. Here are a few ideas for recipes to serve these breadsticks with:
- Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta
- Pasta Napoletane
- Creamy Broccoli with Alfredo
- Wagyu Meatballs with Marinara
- Spaghetti Alfredo Bake
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations using this Italian breadsticks recipe.
- You can add other herbs and spices to the dough, such as dried oregano, basil, or thyme.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making these copycat Olive Garden Italian Breadsticks.
Storage and Reheating
Store the wet ingredients (lettuce, tomato, onion) separately from the dry ingredients (buns) in the fridge, and recombine when ready. Good for 2-3 days.
Tips for Success
- Let the dough rise in a warm place. The ideal temperature for rising dough is 75-80 degrees F.
- Don't over bake the breadsticks. They should be golden brown, but not too dark.
- Serve the breadsticks warm. They're best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast.
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping, bulk proofing, and baking the breadsticks.
The secret to making the breadsticks taste just like Olive Garden's Italian breadsticks recipe is to use the right ingredients and to follow the recipe carefully. Be sure to brush the breadsticks with melted garlic and parsley butter both before and after baking.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
📖 Recipe
Soft Italian Breadsticks
Ingredients
Soft Breadstick recipe
- 1½ cup warm water 110℉
- 2¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 1 packet
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 4¼ cup bread flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter melted
Garlic Butter Topping
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the water, dry yeast, and sugar. Let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. It will get foamy on the top if the yeast is live, if it doesn't get new yeast and start over.1½ cup warm water, 2¼ teaspoon dry active yeast, 2 tablespoon sugar
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast mixture, and melted butter. Mix well.4¼ cup bread flour, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoon butter
- Once the flour mixture forms a shaggy ball, pull the dough out and knead it for five minutes on a floured surface.
- Using a little flour, shape the ball of dough into a square about 9" x 9".
- Cut down the middle, then cut across both halves six times for 12 equal sections.
- Roll out each of the twelve portions of dough into 8-9" length ropes.
- Place parchment paper on two rimmed baking sheet and spread six dough ropes on each, keeping distance apart so the dough can rise.
- Cover the breadsticks with a towel and let the dough bulk proof (rise for 45 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining melted butter, garlic salt, and dried parsley flakes. Using a pastry brush, brush the breadsticks with half the mixture.¼ cup butter, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (204℃) and bake breadsticks for 12 minutes, or until light golden brown. Remove from one and immediately brush with the remaining garlic butter. Serve while hot.
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