Chewy, buttery, soft homemade BREADSTICKS that will knock Olive Garden’s breadsticks out of the park. You’ll be surprised how easy it is and all the variations you can make with it. Utterly addictive and highly adaptable restaurant-quality baked treats! 

It seemed like it was just yesterday when I was planning to celebrate Mother’s Day and my birthday (shhh😉) somewhere abroad. But here I am, in the comfort of my home, wearing sweatpants all day and just working magic in my kitchen.

If you happen to have found a new passion for baking or cooking during these times, congratulations! Don’t be afraid to explore coz there are a ton of recipes out there waiting to be discovered just like I did. And just to narrow down those options, let me share with you something that is newbie-friendly and just in time for Mother’s Day.

Lo and behold, these garlicky, buttery, chewy, homemade breadsticks. A simple pasta with some warm breadsticks is what you might need to make this coming Mother’s Day extra special!

What are Breadsticks?

Breadsticks are among the many things that originated from Italy. They’re long (slim or thick) sticks of semi-crisp or chewy bread that uses the most common baking ingredients. The secret to a good breadstick actually lies in what you put outside as toppings. Nevertheless, we go crazy over these breadsticks when either served as an appetizer or as a quick afternoon snack. 

What Do I  Love About These Breadsticks?

• They’re pretty simple to make using just a handful of ingredients.  
• I love that they’re very adaptable, too. You can make them as simple as adding just a touch of sugar into the dough or going crazy with the toppings. 
• It has the right balance of chewiness and fluffiness all throughout. 
• They’re absolutely freezer-friendly. You can either freeze the dough OR bake and freeze them.

Breadstick Toppings and Variations

One of the best parts about these homemade breadsticks is that they are VERY ADAPTABLE. Actually, I’ve enjoyed a couple of variations of this before I decided to sit down and write this blog post. 

• You can go as simple as combining butter and salt.
• Throw in some garlic powder into your butter and salt mixture for a delicious garlic breadstick (my favorite!). 
• Love some cheese breadsticks? Brush the breadsticks with butter and sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top. 
• If you love an herby flavor just like this Focaccia Bread HERE, then, by all means, sprinkle it with dried oregano, rosemary, or thyme. 
• And lastly, for those who want to go the sweet route, reduce the salt in the dough to ¾ teaspoon. Then combine ¼ cup of sugar and 1 ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it all over the shaped breadsticks after its second rise (just right before baking). 

Making It Ahead 

Don’t you just love being able to enjoy these Italian breadsticks any time you want? And for that, I have some good news for you. There are two ways to make these homemade breadsticks ahead of time.

Frozen Baked Homemade Breadsticks

You can bake them as per the instructions below and let them cool thereafter. Once it has cooled down, store the breadsticks in a freezer-safe bag or container and keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you want to enjoy some, simply thaw them at room temperature and reheat in the oven or microwave. 

Frozen Dough

 Make the recipe up until step #6, before the second rise. After shaping the dough into breadsticks, cover them lightly with plastic wrap and flash freeze for about an hour or until hard enough to touch. Once they’re frozen, transfer them in freezer-safe bag or container and keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to bake, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then transfer in a baking sheet and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. And finally, proceed to step #7 to complete the baking process. 

What Goes with Breadsticks?

There are tons of dips or sauces that you can pair with these breadsticks. Personally, I love it paired with my homemade Pizza Sauce HERE, but you can also try these ones below. 

• Homemade Ranch Dressing 
• Easy Homemade Guacamole 
• Beer Cheese Dip 
• Homemade Alfredo Sauce 

More Easy Bread Recipes to Explore

• Irish Soda Bread 
• Easy Dinner Rolls 
• Basic Homemade White Bread 

 

How To Make Breadsticks

 

Start by combining water and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let the yeast sit for a few minutes, and stir. The yeast should start to foam on top. This lets you know the yeast is fresh and active, if it doesn’t, the yeast may not be fresh. Skip this step if using Instant Yeast and proceed with the rest of the instructions. Add milk, sugar, salt, and melted butter, stir to combine. Gradually add flour and continue mixing. Add enough flour to form a soft dough.

Transport dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 6-8  minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover loosely with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm place for 1 ½  to 2 hours or until doubled. Punch the dough down. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Divide dough into about 12  pieces. 

Then shape each piece into about  6-7-inch rope. Transfer the dough on to lined baking sheets and place 2 inches apart from each other. Cover with a kitchen cloth and let it rise until doubled, about 25 minutes or more. During the last ten minutes of rising time, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter, then sprinkle with the desired topping. Serve with my homemade with pizza sauce here.

 

Watch How To Make It

 

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