If you’ve ever passed a basket of Olive Garden Breadsticks around the table and wished you could bake a batch at home, you’re in for a treat. These golden, buttery wonders are a pillar of Italian-American comfort food, both pillowy and irresistibly savory. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a little patience, you can bring that warm, garlicky aroma right into your own kitchen, making dinner, date nights, or even just snack time feel truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Olive Garden Breadsticks so crave-worthy is their simplicity—each ingredient plays a small but mighty role. Reach into your pantry for this short list, and get ready for magic: fluffy dough, soft butter, and a garlic-kissed finish are all built from the basics.
- Warm water (1 cup, about 110°F): Activates the yeast and helps create a soft, elastic dough.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons or 1 packet): The engine of our breadsticks—makes them rise and gives that bakery-style texture.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Feeds the yeast and adds just a touch of sweetness.
- Unsalted butter, softened (3 tablespoons): Adds moisture and flavor to the dough for that signature richness.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Brings all the flavors of the bread to life.
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): The base of our breadsticks—creates a tender crumb while staying wonderfully soft.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tablespoons, for brushing): Gives those fresh-from-the-oven sticks their glossy finish and keeps them extra soft.
- For the garlic butter topping:
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tablespoons): Makes the final brush irresistibly flavorful.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Provides that aromatic, garlicky kick that everyone craves.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances the garlic flavor and balances the melt-in-your-mouth topping.
How to Make Olive Garden Breadsticks
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Kick things off by mixing the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Give it a quick stir and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll start to see a foamy layer form, which means your yeast is ready and raring to go! Don’t skip this—you want light, fluffy breadsticks, not bricks.
Step 2: Build the Dough
Add the softened butter, salt, and two cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix everything together (a sturdy spatula or stand mixer works great). Gradually add the rest of the flour, just until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms. You might need a little more or less flour, so add it slowly and stop when the dough feels supple but not sticky.
Step 3: Kneading Time
Sprinkle a little flour on your work surface, then knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes—by hand or with a dough hook in your mixer—until it’s smooth, stretchy, and bounces back if you poke it. This kneading step is where that classic Olive Garden Breadsticks texture begins!
Step 4: First Rise
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it hang out in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, until it’s doubled in size. There’s something so satisfying about seeing that dough puff up; it’s when you know the magic is happening!
Step 5: Shape the Breadsticks
Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release excess air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces—eyeballing is fine! Roll each piece into a smooth, 7-inch rope, and line them up on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a bit of space between each one. Cover again and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes, so they get nice and pillowy.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and, once it’s ready, slide the breadsticks in. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the tops turn a tempting light golden color. Remove them from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter to lock in moisture and flavor while they’re hot.
Step 7: Finish with Garlic Butter
Mix together melted butter, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Brush this over the warm breadsticks, and just try not to devour one right away—the aroma is pure temptation! This step gives that unmistakable Olive Garden Breadsticks flavor you know and love.
How to Serve Olive Garden Breadsticks
Garnishes
While these breadsticks shine on their own, a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a dusting of finely grated parmesan elevates them even more. For extra flavor, you could stir a pinch of Italian herbs into your garlic butter before brushing—it’s a subtle twist on the traditional Olive Garden Breadsticks but so tasty!
Side Dishes
Nothing pairs better than a bowl of classic minestrone or creamy fettuccine alfredo. Use Olive Garden Breadsticks to swipe up every drop of sauce and soup. They’re perfect alongside hearty salads, lasagna, or even as a comforting snack with marinara for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
Try bundling a few breadsticks together in a napkin-lined basket for a cozy family-style table. Or slice them in half, sandwich-style, and fill with mozzarella and roasted veggies for a lunch twist. You can even cut leftovers into cubes, toast them, and make crunchy, garlicky croutons for tomorrow’s salad or soup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Olive Garden Breadsticks taste best on day one, but if you have extras, let them cool completely and store in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft, especially if you rewarm them before serving.
Freezing
These breadsticks freeze beautifully! Wrap cooled breadsticks individually in plastic wrap, then stash them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, then reheat until warm and brush with a little extra garlic butter if desired.
Reheating
For the freshest flavor and texture, pop leftover breadsticks on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This restores their soft, fresh-from-the-oven warmth and gives new life to their garlicky aroma.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! Just skip the proofing step and mix instant yeast right in with your dry ingredients. The rise time is usually a little faster, so keep an eye on the dough as it puffs up.
Why are my breadsticks dense instead of fluffy?
Dense breadsticks are usually the result of not enough kneading or using too much flour. Knead the dough until it’s truly smooth and only add flour until the dough is just tacky; a slightly sticky dough yields the softest Olive Garden Breadsticks.
How do I make these vegan?
Making your breadsticks vegan is easy! Replace the butter with your favorite plant-based alternative and double-check that your sugar hasn’t been processed with bone char. Everything else stays the same for a plant-friendly treat.
Can I make Olive Garden Breadsticks gluten free?
Yes, use a good-quality, cup-for-cup gluten free flour blend designed for yeast breads. The texture will be a little different, but you’ll still get that delicious, garlicky experience at home.
Can these be made ahead of time for a party?
Certainly! Follow the recipe up to the second rise, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring the dough to room temperature the next day, bake, and brush with garlic butter for fresh, warm breadsticks ready when your guests arrive.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked Olive Garden Breadsticks wafting from your oven and the satisfaction of making them yourself. Next time you’re craving that soft, garlicky bite, give this recipe a try—you might just retire your takeout menu for good!
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Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 breadsticks 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make delicious Olive Garden-style breadsticks at home with this easy recipe. Soft, fluffy, and brushed with garlic butter, these breadsticks are perfect for any meal!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for brushing)
Garlic Butter Topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy. Add butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Gradually mix in the remaining flour to form a dough.
- Kneading and Rising: Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Let rise for 1–1.5 hours. Divide into 12 pieces, shape, and let rise again.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake breadsticks for 12–14 minutes until golden. Brush with melted butter.
- Garlic Butter Topping: Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and salt. Brush over warm breadsticks.
Notes
- Best served warm and fresh.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
