These olive garden garlic breadsticks are bring a restaurant favorite, home! These homemade breadsticks are soft, chewy, and extra savory. You may go in for 1, but don't be surprised if you eat 10!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for beginners: You do not need to be a pro-baker to make these breadsticks at home. The method is easy to follow and makes perfect, light, fluffy breadsticks every time. These breadsticks rely on the same pantry staples restaurants rely on for consistent flavor.
- A restaurant favorite: Olive Garden breadsticks are a main attraction all on their own, so bringing them home is never a bad idea!
- Customizable: You can shape these breadsticks into the classic breadstick shape, or you can also use this dough to make mini loaves, ready to slather with lots of butter!
Ingredient Notes
- Bread flour: Bread flour has a higher protein content, which produces the classic chewy texture of these breadsticks. Bread flour is labeled exactly as that, and you can find it in almost every grocery store.
- Active dry yeast: This is not instant yeast, which means you need to activate it before adding the dry ingredients to the mix. You can use yeast that comes in packets or a jar, they work the same.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar feeds the yeast, which helps it activate. You will not taste any of the sweetness in the dough, so do not be alarmed.
- Salted butter: Salted butter is key here, as the breadsticks get brushed with melted butter twice in the cooking process. This adds layers of savory flavor, just like in the restaurant.
- Dried spices: You will need dried parsley, granulated garlic, and flakey sea salt.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Substitutions
- Bread flour: You can substitute bread flour with only all-purpose flour. The texture will be slightly less chewy, but the breadsticks will still be delicious. You will also want to knead the dough longer to develop the gluten.
- Active dry yeast: You can use instant yeast instead. You will not need to activate the yeast beforehand, and you can add it right in with the flour.
- Salted butter: Unsalted butter works fine too.
- Flakey sea salt: Regular kosher salt will work if you don't have flakey sea salt. I do not recommend using regular iodized salt.
Variations
- Cheesy: Stuff the breadstick dough with mozzarella cheese sticks for a cheesy center. If you aren't feeling too adventurous, sprinkle parmesan cheese over the breadsticks.
- Dips: Just like at the Olive Garden, serve these breadsticks with your favorite sauces like marinara, Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce, or pesto for dipping.
- Meaty: If you like a meaty twist, top these breadsticks with finely chopped pepperoni or salami before baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Mix the garlic salt: In a small mixing bowl, mix the granulated garlic, salt, and dried parsley. Set aside.
Activate the Yeast
Add lukewarm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Lightly whisk to combine, and let the yeast sit for 7-10 minutes.
Once the yeast is foamy, it is ready to use.
Mix the Dough
Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the activated yeast.
Using a dough hook, knead the dough on low speed for 7-8 minutes until the dough is smooth is completely pulled off the side of the bowl.
Proof the Dough
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and cover it with cling wrap or a towel. Place in a warm place for 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
Once the dough has been proofed, punch it down to work with it.
Shape the Breadsticks
Portion the dough into 15 equal pieces.
Using the palm of your hand, roll the pieces of dough into the shape of a breadstick.
Place the breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel for 10-15 minutes.
Bake the Breadsticks
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Brush the tops of the breadsticks with melted butter.
Bake the breadsticks for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown.
Brush the baked breadsticks with more melted butter, and immediately sprinkle with the garlic salt mix.
Expert Tips
Water temperature: Avoid using very cold, or hot water when activating the yeast as this can kill it. The ideal temperature is approximately 100-110°F.
Signs your yeast is dead: If your active dry yeast does not foam to the top of the water after sitting for 10 minutes, chances are it is dead and will not help the dough rise properly.
Where to proof dough: The best place to keep your dough for quick proofing is in your oven (not heated), or inside your microwave. The warm environment will help your dough rise extra quickly.
Size to roll the dough: Roll your breadsticks thinner than you want the final product to be. They will rise before, and during the baking process and will be larger than the rolled size.
Make Ahead & Storage
- You can make the dough one day in advance. Instead of proofing the dough in a warm place, cover it with cling film and store it in the fridge overnight.
- Store baked breadsticks in a freezer bag, and keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat the breadsticks in the oven before serving to melt the butter on the outside of the breadsticks and warm the inside.
Serving Suggestions
- Mains: Serve these breadsticks with your favorite Olive Garden mains like Italian Chicken Margherita, giant cheese stuffed shells, five cheese ziti al forno, chicken parmigiana, or even eggplant parmigiana.
- Salad: Olive Garden is known for its salad with creamy Italian dressing and breadsticks. Some of my favorite salads include Cactus Club avocado kale salad, La Scala chopped salami salad or a classic steakhouse wedge salad.
- Soup: Dunk these warm breadsticks in your favorite soups, like Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup, Panera broccoli cheddar soup, chicken florentine soup, or creamy marinara soup.
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Olive Garden Garlic Breadsticks (Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Water - lukewarm
- 3 teaspoon Active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 2 cups Bread flour
- 1 ¼ cups All purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Salted butter - melted
- 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
Garlic Salt Topping
- 2 tablespoon Flakey sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Dried parsley
- ¼ cup Salted butter - melted
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, mix the granulated garlic, salt, and dried parsley. Set aside.2 tablespoon Flakey sea salt, 1 tablespoon Garlic powder, ½ tablespoon Dried parsley
- Add lukewarm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Lightly whisk to combine, and let the yeast sit for 7-10 minutes until it is foamy.1 ½ cups Water, 3 teaspoon Active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the activated yeast. Using a dough hook, knead the dough on low speed for 7-8 minutes until the dough is smooth.2 cups Bread flour, 1 ¼ cups All purpose flour, 2 tablespoon Salted butter, 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and cover it with cling wrap or a towel. Place in a warm place for 1 hour until it has doubled in size. Once the dough has been proofed, punch it down to work with it.
- Portion the dough into 15 equal pieces. Using the palm of your hand, roll the pieces of dough into the shape of a breadstick.
- Place the breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a towel for 10-15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Brush the tops of the breadsticks with part of the melted butter. Bake the breadsticks for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Brush the baked breadsticks with more melted butter, and immediately sprinkle with the garlic salt mix.
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