Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

written by Ashley Fehr

4.98 from 40 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 24 breadsticks

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Last updated on February 6, 2024

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These Homemade Breadsticks are better than Olive Garden! Ready in one hour from start to finish!

Wondering what to dunk them in? Try my Pasta fa*gioli soup, this Rigatoni Pasta Bake, or this Italian Sausage Soup!

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (2)

Table of Contents

  • Can I use active dry yeast in this breadstick recipe?
  • Can I use whole wheat flour in these breadsticks?
  • How to freeze breadsticks:
  • Homemade Breadsticks Recipe

I’ll be the first to admit that Olive Garden breadsticks are the only reason I go to Olive Garden at all.

There is just something about fresh yeast breads that can’t be beat, and homemade breadsticks, buttery and garlicky, and sprinkled with herbs and Parmesan are just hard to beat.

These breadsticks are soft and fluffy, with Italian seasoning and garlic in the dough, and brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with Parmesan fresh out of the oven.

They are irresistible on their own, but if you must have something to dunk them in, thisChicken Gnocchi Soup, thisSausage Tortellini Soupand thisLasagna Soup: Crockpot or Instant Potare the perfect additions!

Can I use active dry yeast in this breadstick recipe?

You can definitely use active dry yeast in this recipe, but it will require a couple of swaps.

First, you’ll need to proof the yeast by dissolving it in warm water. Active dry yeast has larger granules so it needs to be completely dissolved before adding to your flour mixture.

You will also need to allow for longer rise times, so the complete process will take 3-4 hours.

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (3)

To make these breadsticks using active dry yeast, you will followthis Homemade Buns recipe exactly, but reducing the sugar to ¼ cup and adding ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

Once your dough has risen in the bowl and you are ready to roll your breadsticks, you will come back to finish the recipe here.

Can I use whole wheat flour in these breadsticks?

You can definitely use whole wheat flour for this breadstick recipe — I usually do when I am making them for our family.

I prefer to first test a recipe with all purpose flour, to see how using whole wheat flour might change it, but we tend to eat mostly whole wheat breads.

You can start with 2-3 cups of whole wheat flour for a light whole wheat dinner roll, or use up to 100%. 100% whole wheat breadsticks will still be delicious but will not be as soft or fluffy.

When I make these for our family, I tend to stick with 50-75% whole wheat flour. I find adding even a bit of all purpose flour makes them fluffier than 100% whole wheat flour.

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (4)

How to freeze breadsticks:

These breadsticks are perfect for making ahead and saving in the freezer.

They reheat beautifully and are the perfect addition to so many meals!

To freeze breadsticks, let them cool completely — I usually let mine sit for 4-6 hours on a wire rack on the counter. Place in an airtight plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

To thaw, place on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture and let sit at room temperature for an hour. You can also thaw them at a low temperature in the microwave, just be careful not to make them too hot or they can dry out.

To serve, I like to brush with additional garlic butter, wrap in foil and bake for 8-10 minutes until warm. They’ll taste just like they were fresh from the oven!

If you don’t want to use foil, you can always warm it on a low oven on a sheet pan, brushed with garlic butter.

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (5)

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (6)

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Homemade Breadsticks

written by Ashley Fehr

4.98 from 40 votes

These Homemade Breadsticks are better than Olive Garden! Ready in one hour from start to finish!

Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (8)

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rise time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Course Bread and Baked Goods

Servings 24 breadsticks

Calories 176cal

Ingredients

  • 6-7 cups all purpose flour you can sub in whole wheat divided
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon instant or quick yeast
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 1/2 cups warm water noticeably warm but not hot
  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

Garlic butter

  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Instructions

  • In a large bowl (the bowl of a stand mixer if you're using one), stir together 1 cup of flour, sugar, yeast, salt, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.

  • Add water and butter and stir until combined.

  • Stir in two more cups of flour with a spoon.

  • Put bowl in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, and gradually add remaining 3-4 cups flour, 1/2-1 cup at a time. As your dough gets closer to finishing, reduce the amount of flour you add at once so that you don't add too much. You can make this dough by hand as well — just stir in flour gradually until you can no longer use a spoon, then knead it in by hand, just until a soft and smooth dough forms. You want to stop adding flour when your dough is just past the sticky point.

  • Cover and place dough in a warm spot for 15 minutes (I like to turn my oven on to preheat for a few minutes, then turn it off before placing my dough inside). You can always let it rise longer if you want, up to 1.5 hours.

  • Uncover dough and divide into 4 even sections. Divide each section into 6 equal sections so you have 24 pieces. Keep remaining pieces covered to prevent drying out while you roll each breadstick.

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball, pinching the seams in the back and rolling until smooth. Place ball on the counter and roll back and forth with both hands to make a cylinder that is roughly 6" long and 1" wide.

  • Place cylinders on prepared baking sheet, about 1.5" apart (you can place them closer together if you want them to tough — they will then have softer sides). Optional: you can let the breadsticks rise up to 1 hour before baking.

  • Bake at 400 degrees F for 13-15 minutes, until light golden brown.

  • Combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Brush over breadsticks while warm. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 176cal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 318mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg

Keywords breadstick recipe, homemade breadsticks

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Homemade Breadsticks [READY IN 1 HOUR] - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to heat up breadsticks? ›

Heat your leftover breadsticks in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C) for the best results. You can also use a microwave or air fryer to revive leftover breadsticks. Season your leftover breadsticks with garlic salt and butter to add some flavor back into them.

How long do you put breadsticks in the microwave? ›

OVEN: Wrap breadsticks in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes. MICROWAVE: Wrap breadsticks in moistened paper towels and place on a microwave-safe plate. Warm on low power for 20-30 seconds.

How long to cook frozen breadsticks? ›

From frozen - CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 400F. Remove bread sticks from bag. Place bread sticks flat on baking pan. Bake 4-5 minutes.

How do you enjoy breadsticks? ›

How? I'll tell you straight away: enjoy them with your meal instead of bread, or use them as croutons in your freshly cut salads. Wrap them with some prosciutto to create a delicious appetizer or use them as a snack accompanied by some cheese, turkey, or even yogurt.

How long to bake unbaked Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Bake at 400°F, for 12-14 minutes - or until golden brown.

Can you cook breadsticks in a microwave? ›

Place on microwave safe paper towel on microwave safe tray, so that breadsticks are not touching (usually 6-8 ). Cover with 2 layers of paper towels. Microwave on HIGH for approximately 5 minutes. If not done, cook in 1 minute intervals until done.

How do you heat up breadsticks without making them hard? ›

To start, place the breadsticks on a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a damp paper towel. This will prevent them from drying out while they heat up. Microwave the breadsticks on high for about 15-20 seconds. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't become too hot.

What does microwave do to bread? ›

Microwaving bread or other starch-based foods is notorious for what food science refers to as “objectionable textural changes”: It gets chewy for a brief moment and then tough.

How do you cook frozen bread quickly? ›

Don't Thaw Bread on the Counter—Heat It

Remove the number of slices you need from the freezer and microwave them on high power until softened, 15 to 25 seconds." If you'd rather skip the microwave, you can also bake slices on a rimmed baking sheet at 325°F for about 5 minutes.

How long to bake frozen homemade bread? ›

It's best to defrost frozen bread with heat rather than at room temperature according to tests done by Cook's Illustrated. Place the unwrapped frozen loaf in the oven at 325°F for 20-30 minutes. Check the internal temperature if you have a probe thermometer.

How long to microwave frozen bread? ›

The best way to thaw frozen bread is to place the slices on a plate (uncovered) and microwave them on high power for 15 to 25 seconds. This will get the starch and water molecules to break down the crystalline regions, producing soft, ready-to-eat bread.

What is the fancy name for breadsticks? ›

Why are breadsticks called 'grissini'? Because grissini is their original Italian name (plural; singular: grissino). Grissini are a traditional bread of Turin (Piedmont, northern Italy), possibly 'invented' in year 1679.

How do you store homemade breadsticks? ›

Breadsticks store best at room temperature. First, let breadsticks cool to room temperature then place them in an air-tight bag and squeeze out excess air. Cooling them first is important to you don't trap in excess condensation. You can also wrap breadsticks in foil.

What do Italians eat breadsticks with? ›

Breadsticks are one of Piedmont's signature product which can be found in bakeries and on the tables of restaurants. They can be served as a snack, with an aperitif or a glass of wine. During our traditional meals are perfect with starters and appreciated for their lighter texture compared to regular bread loafs.

Can you heat up breadsticks in the microwave? ›

To start, place the breadsticks on a microwave-safe dish and cover them with a damp paper towel. This will prevent them from drying out while they heat up. Microwave the breadsticks on high for about 15-20 seconds. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't become too hot.

How long does it take to heat up bread? ›

Bake for approximately 15 minutes if you are reheating a whole loaf. Actual baking time will depend on the size of your loaf of bread so use your best judgment. If you are reheating slices, start with a shorter time, approximately 5-10 minutes, and check periodically to ensure the slices do not dry out.

How do you reheat pre cooked bread? ›

Mist or sprinkle water to the surface of the bread and place directly in a 425° F pre-heated oven for approximately 5-6 minutes, just long enough to warm up the bread. Do not microwave.

Can you cook breadsticks in the microwave? ›

Place sticks on baking sheet; dish or paper plate lined with paper towel. Microwave at High 4 1/2 to 6 minutes; roll in cheese as soon as removed from microwave. Serves 10.

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