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The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks with Garlic Parmesan Butter

A pile of golden, buttery breadsticks generously topped with garlic and parsley served on a white plate.
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Recreate the famous soft, chewy, and buttery breadsticks right in your home kitchen. This easy recipe delivers restaurant-style flavor, complete with a rich garlic parmesan topping, making them the perfect dinner side dish or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the dough: Add 3 cups of the flour, salt, and 1/4 cup of olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until just combined. Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Ethan says this kneading builds the chewiness!
  4. First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the breadsticks: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long. Place the strips onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.
  6. Second rise (optional but recommended): Let the shaped breadsticks rest for 15 minutes while the oven finishes preheating.
  7. Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the breadsticks are lightly golden brown.
  8. Prepare the garlic butter topping: While the breadsticks bake, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  9. Finish: Immediately after removing the hot breadsticks from the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle evenly with the grated Parmesan cheese.
  10. Serve warm: Serve these homemade breadsticks immediately for the best soft and chewy texture.

Notes

  • For an extra cheesy version, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the breadsticks during the last 2 minutes of baking, then brush with garlic butter afterward.
  • If you are short on time, you can use 1 cup of warm water instead of 1 1/2 cups and reduce the first rise time to 30 minutes for quicker breadsticks.
  • This dough freezes well. Shape the sticks, place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/easy-homemade-breadsticks-garlic-parmesan/