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!
3 ¼ -3 ½ cups(406.25g-437.5g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
For the Topping
2tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted
½teaspoon(2.5g) kosher salt
⅛ to ¼teaspoon(0.375g-0.75g) garlic powder
pinch of dried oregano
Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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 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.
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.
To freeze the 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.
You can go as simple as combining butter and salt as a topping. See "Breadstick Toppings and Variations" in the blog post for more options.