Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks Recipe

Introduction

These Olive Garden-style breadsticks are soft, buttery, and infused with garlic flavor, making them the perfect side for any Italian meal. Homemade and easy to prepare, they offer that irresistible restaurant-style taste right from your own oven.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 105°F-110°F)
• 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar or honey
• 3 1/4 cups (422 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 5 minutes, or until the mixture begins to foam.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix 1 cup of flour with salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring to combine.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the remaining flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth but not sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder and garlic salt. Set aside for brushing later.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
6. Step 6: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, roughly 1.5 ounces each. Roll each piece into a log about 8 to 10 inches long.
7. Step 7: Place the breadsticks on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Let them rest for about 10 minutes before baking.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and brush the tops with the garlic butter mixture.
9. Step 9: Return the breadsticks to the oven and bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the bottoms are lightly browned.
10. Step 10: Remove from oven and brush any remaining garlic butter over the breadsticks. Let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or grated parmesan cheese over the breadsticks after brushing with garlic butter.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
• Try substituting honey for sugar for a slightly different sweetness.

Storage

Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to restore softness and warmth. For longer storage, freeze the baked breadsticks in a sealed bag for up to 1 month and thaw before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast that has expired?

For best results, use fresh yeast. Expired yeast may not activate properly, causing the dough not to rise as expected.

Can I make these breadsticks without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Olive Garden Copycat Breadsticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 97 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 breadsticks 1x

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Description

These Olive Garden-style breadsticks are soft, buttery, and infused with garlic flavor. Perfect as a warm, inviting appetizer or side, they are made from a simple yeast dough brushed with a garlic butter mixture and baked to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 105°F-110°F)
• 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar (or honey)
• 3 1/4 cups (422 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Butter Topping

• 4 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar until just combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 1 cup of the flour and the sea salt. Add the foamed yeast mixture and the extra-virgin olive oil. Stir, then gradually add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until a smooth, soft but not sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 15 to 30 minutes.
3. Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the melted salted butter with garlic powder and garlic salt. Set this flavorful butter mixture aside for later use.
4. Shape Breadsticks: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Lightly flour your counter or breadboard and divide the risen dough into 16 equal pieces (about 1.5 ounces each). Roll each piece into a log approximately 8 to 10 inches long. Place the shaped breadsticks on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Let them rest for approximately 10 minutes before baking.
5. Bake Breadsticks: Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and generously brush the tops with the prepared garlic butter mixture. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the bottoms of the breadsticks are lightly browned.
6. Finish and Serve: Once baked, remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush any remaining garlic butter over the top. Allow them to cool for a couple of minutes. Serve the breadsticks warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

• Ensure the water is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast (around 105°F-110°F is ideal).
• Let the dough rise until slightly puffy but not necessarily doubled, which helps yield a softer breadstick.
• You can substitute granulated sugar with honey for a slightly different sweetness profile.
• For a crispier crust, bake an extra 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
• These breadsticks are best served fresh and warm, but can be reheated briefly in the oven.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Olive Garden breadsticks, garlic breadsticks, soft breadsticks, homemade breadsticks, Italian appetizer