Homemade Breadsticks (Easy, Beginner-Friendly Recipe) (2024)

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These homemade breadsticks are incredibly light, fluffy, and soft with the perfect crust but are easy to make from scratch.

This is a great recipe to try for any beginners looking into baking some bread. The dough is forgiving and easy to work with. Once you’re done making it, you’ll get the best homemade breadsticks that go well with just about everything!

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They’ll make your house smell amazing while you’re baking them and provide the best comfort food for your family.

Want to learn how to make these delicious breadsticks? Then keep on reading!

Table of Contents
  • What are Breadsticks?
  • Why You’ll Love These Easy Homemade Breadsticks
  • What You Need to Make Breadsticks at Home
  • How to Make Homemade Breadsticks (Step-by-Step)
  • Breadstick Variation Ideas You Can Try
  • How to Store Breadsticks
  • Can Breadsticks be Frozen?
  • What To Serve With Breadsticks?
  • Similar Bread Recipes
  • Recipe Card
  • Homemade Breadsticks (Easy, Beginner-Friendly Recipe)
  • Comments

What are Breadsticks?

Breadsticks come in many different forms these days,from thin ones that are super crispy to bigger ones that are often served with spaghetti and used to soak up the extra sauce.

Breadsticks, which are also called grissini, grissino, or dipping sticks, are usually pencil-sized sticks of dry, crisp bread that originated inItaly.

There is also a soft-baked breadstick variation that is popular in North America and is frequently served with various sauces or spaghetti at many pizzerias.

The delicious soft, fluffy baked ones are what we’ll be making today. Not only are they incredibly delicious but the perfect comfort food too!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Homemade Breadsticks

You and I both know that handmade bread tops store-bought bread every time! Nothing beats freshly baked bread made to your preferences. It's the best gift for your family, and everyone appreciates it at the dinner table!

While you're making these breadsticks, your house will smell amazing! I enjoy making these at home since you can customize the size of the breadsticks to your taste.

If you’ve ever loved olive garden breadsticks, then this is the perfect recipe to try at home to satisfy your cravings! You can munch on them or have them with dinner.

They are filling enough on their own, but they also pair beautifully with homemade spaghetti or soup!

They're light and delicious, and if you put them in a Ziploc bag, they'll stay moist until the next day.

I understand that baking bread might be frightening for some people, but preparing these breadsticks is simple, and the doughis easy to work with.

What You Need to Make Breadsticks at Home

All you need are some basic ingredients to make these breadsticks. Let’s look at what these are one by one:

Bread flour: We’ll be using unbleached bread flour for this recipe instead of all purpose flour since it has more gluten and will help the dough be more elastic.

Yeast: Next, you’ll need some active dry yeast as the main leavening agent for our breadsticks instead of instant yeast. The advantage of baking with active-dry yeast is that it can be guaranteed to be alive by blooming it in water. There's no way to tell if instant yeast is still active if you mix it with flour and salt.

Sugar: Sugar helps to activate the yeast and make the process faster as the yeast will have something to eat. It also helps to make the bread softer as some of the water will be absorbed by it and it slows down the formation of gluten strands.

Water: We’ll be using some warm water to assist us in activating the yeast properly along with the sugar.

Salt and garlic powder: You’ll need some salt and garlic powder to lightly flavor the breadsticks.

Butter: We’ll be using some unsalted butter to add to our breadsticks which will make them soft, and fluffy but with a crispier crust.

How to Make Homemade Breadsticks (Step-by-Step)

Making these delicious homemade breadsticks is super easy. Here’s what you need to do step by step:

First, start by dissolving sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the yeast to become active. This is when it becomes foamy on top.

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Next, combine flour, butter, and salt in a large bowl. Using a paddle attachment in a stand mixer, mix the butter and flour or until the butter is well incorporated. This will take about 5 minutes.

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Then switch the paddle for the dough hook attachment. With the mixer running, pour the water/yeast mixture into the flour, and let it knead for about 10 minutes until it starts looking smooth and elastic.

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Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Poke about 6 holes in the plastic wrap, cover with a clean cloth and let the dough proof for 1 ½ hour in a warm place or until it doubles in size.

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Once the dough has proofed, measure out 2-ounce portions and roll the dough on a flour-dusted surface to form breadsticks, about 8 inches long.

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Place breadsticks dough on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let them rise for 1 hour.

Now preheat the oven to 400 F (205 C). Bake breadsticks for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

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Remove from the oven, and immediately brush each breadstick with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt or garlic powder.

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Your delicious homemade breadsticks are ready to be served!

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Breadstick Variation Ideas You Can Try

These breadsticks are incredibly delicious and turn out perfect every single time! But if you want to customize this recipe according to your preferences, you definitely can.

Here are some recipe variation ideas you can try out:

Try some garlic butter with parmesan: You can add a table of parmesan cheese to homemade garlic butter and brush it on top of your breadsticks before serving.

Add some sesame seeds: Another thing you can try is adding some sesame seeds by brushing the breadsticks with some egg wash and sprinkling some sesame seeds on them. You can press the sesame seeds gently on the breadsticks with the back of a spoon to help them stick and then bake them!

Try some herbs: You can also add some dried herbs to the bread, such as oregano or basil for a more herby touch!

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How to Store Breadsticks

You can store these delicious breadsticks in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Can Breadsticks be Frozen?

Yes, you absolutely can!

To store the breadsticks, put them in a Ziploc bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, seal the bag, and put it in the freezer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months!

Put as many frozen breadsticks as you want to thaw on a plate that can go in the microwave and heat for a few seconds. They'll taste like they'refresh out of the oven.

What To Serve With Breadsticks?

These breadsticks go great with different kinds of pasta, salads, and soups! They make anideal starterfor almost any dinner. You may also dip them in your favorite sauce (I recommend marinara sauce!).

While it would go marvelously with any main course, it tastes especially scrumptious withHomemade Creamy Alfredo SauceandZuppa Toscana Soup

When it comes to saucy dishes, breadsticks are my go-to choice rather than dinner rolls; you should absolutely give them a chance the next time you make something similar in the kitchen.

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Similar Bread Recipes

  • Dutch Oven White Crusty Bread Recipe
  • Homemade French Bread
  • Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls Recipe
  • Garlic Dinner Rolls

See all bread recipes.

Recipe Card

Homemade Breadsticks (Easy, Beginner-Friendly Recipe)

Valya's Taste of Home

If you're looking to make delicious breadsticks but don't know where to start, this recipe will give you perfect breadsticks every time! Quick and easy to make!

4.75 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

Homemade Breadsticks Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. – organic sugar
  • ¾ tsp. - dry yeast
  • 1 cup + 1 tbsp. - warm water
  • 3 cups – unbleached bread flour
  • 1 ½ tsp. - salt
  • ¼ cup ½ stick – unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 3 tbsp. - butter (melted)
  • Garlic powder or salt

Read More

Instructions

How to Make Homemade Breadsticks

  • Making these delicious homemade breadsticks is super easy. Here’s what you need to do step by step:

  • First, start by dissolving sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the yeast to become active. This is when it becomes foamy on top.

  • Next, combine flour, butter, and salt in a large bowl. Using a paddle attachment in a stand mixer, mix the butter and flour or until the butter is well incorporated. This will take about 5 minutes.

  • Then switch the paddle for the dough hook attachment. With the mixer running, pour the water/yeast mixture into the flour, and let it knead for about 10 minutes until it starts looking smooth and elastic.

  • Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Poke about 6 holes in the plastic wrap, cover with a clean cloth and let the dough proof for 1 ½ hour in a warm place or until it doubles in size.

  • Once the dough has proofed, measure out 2-ounce portions and roll the dough on a flour-dusted surface to form breadsticks, about 8 inches long.

  • Place breadsticks dough on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with a towel and let them rise for 1 hour.

  • Now preheat the oven to 400 F (205 C). Bake breadsticks for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Remove from the oven, and immediately brush each breadstick with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt or garlic powder.

  • Your delicious homemade breadsticks are ready to be served!

Tried this recipe?Share your photo on Instagram @valyastasteofhome or tag #valyastasteofhome!

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This recipe was originally posted on Aprit 28, 2017 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience.The post may contain affiliate links. Read mydisclosure.

Homemade Breadsticks (Easy, Beginner-Friendly Recipe) (14)
Homemade Breadsticks (Easy, Beginner-Friendly Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between bread and breadsticks? ›

Breadstick is one type of yeast-leavened dry bread characterized by a crispy and crunchy texture resembling that of pretzels, crisp flatbreads and crackers. Breadsticks are made from a somewhat lean formulation which in most cases does not contain any added sugar or honey.

Are breadsticks healthy? ›

Commercially made varieties, however, are rarely healthy -- little more than insipid junk food, just crispy and salty enough to keep you reaching for more. Fortunately, breadsticks are easy and fun to make on your own.

Are Olive Garden breadsticks baked fresh? ›

An Olive Garden Favorite. Available Freshly-Baked or Bake-At-Home. Add an extra dozen or half dozen breadsticks to your online order.

Can I use regular flour instead of bread flour? ›

You can always substitute all-purpose flour for bread flour one for one in any recipe that calls for it. Your bread might not raise quite as high or have quite as much chew, if you are using all-purpose flour, but it will still be delicious and homemade and all the good things.

Are breadsticks junk food? ›

Bread made with refined flour is fairly calorie-dense for relatively little nutritionally value. Breadsticks aren't a healthy snack as such. But like with most such things, there's nothing wrong with eating them in moderation. Don't fill up on them when having a meal, they're supposed to only be an accompaniment.

What is the end of a bread stick called? ›

The proper term is “heel,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Some may call it just “the end piece” or “the butt” when going with true informality. Some Redditors even refer to them as the “crusts,” a double whammy for both the outside of each slice and the end of the loaf itself.

Why do Italians eat breadsticks? ›

The story goes that a doctor at the time recommended that the son of the Duke of Savoy, who suffered from intestinal disorders, stop eating poorly baked bread (and thus the soft inside of the bread) and eat only the crunchy stretched breadsticks.

What is bread with butter called? ›

In German cuisine, Butterbrot (literally: butter bread = bread with butter) is a slice of bread topped with butter.

How long do breadsticks stay fresh? ›

Storage: Properly stored in a plastic storage bag or wrapped in foil, these breadsticks will last for about 4 to 5 days at normal room temperature. Freezing: Once they've cooled to room temperature, place the breadsticks on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.

How long do cooked breadsticks last? ›

These breadsticks are best served right out of the oven, but they will keep for 3 days or so in a ziptop bag or an airtight container. To refresh, place the breadsticks on a baking sheet, and reheat in the oven at 425°F for 4-5 minutes, or until warmed through.

How many breadsticks is one serving? ›

How many breadsticks are in one serving? The number of breadsticks in one serving can vary depending on the restaurant or brand you are referring to. However, a typical serving of breadsticks at an Italian restaurant may include 2-3 breadsticks.

What is the breadstick rule at Olive Garden? ›

Olive Garden does have a policy on breadsticks. Typically, a server is supposed to bring one stick per person plus one extra for the first basket. After that, the rule of thumb is one breadstick per person. Here are the sneaky menu tricks that influence your order.

What happened to Olive Garden's breadsticks? ›

The famous Olive Garden breadsticks are once again sesame-free. The popular chain restaurant recently switched suppliers, so the customer favorite is made with flour – with no added sesame. Olive Garden was among several national eateries with bread products that suddenly contained sesame as of the end of 2022.

Why do Olive Garden breadsticks taste so good? ›

I work at Olive Garden – everyone always wants to know the secret of the breadsticks, here's why they taste so good. AN Olive Garden worker claims the chain's “glorious” breadsticks taste so good because they're covered in liquid margarine and topped with garlic salt.

What are Little Caesars breadsticks made of? ›

Bread: Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Water, Vegetable Oil (Soybean Oil, Soy Lecithin), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Yeast, Glucona Delta Lactone, Salt, Baking Soda, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Propionate (preservative), Food Starch-Modified, Corn Syrup Solids, Vital Wheat Gluten, Dough ...

What is the main ingredient in the whole grain breadsticks? ›

The trick is to use white whole wheat flour that tastes almost identical to all-purpose flour. Mix the warm water and yeast until the yeast dissolves. Add the flour, oil, and sugar and kneed well by hand or on a mixing machine until the dough is very elastic.

Is Bread Flour the same as all-purpose flour? ›

The primary difference between bread flour and all-purpose flour is the protein content. Bread flour has more protein (King Arthur's is 12.7%) than all-purpose (11.7%). For context, pastry and cake flours have less, about 8% to 10%, respectively.

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