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Italian Breadsticks

A bundle of about 8 Italian breadsticks wrapped in a white napkin with a bowl of garlic butter with a spoon next to it. A red and white napkin in the top background all on a blue gray background.

Italian Breadsticks

BY: Michele
PUBLISHED: Sep 26, 2022
No Reviews
2 Comments
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
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You’ll love these soft Italian garlic breadsticks that taste like breadsticks at Olive Garden, one of my favorite restaurants.

These copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks make soft and fluffy golden brown garlic bread sticks.

8 breadsticks wrapped in brown paper and then wrapped in a white towel, on a blue-gray background, next to a bowl of soup, with a red and white napkin in the top, and a partial view of the tips of breadsticks at the bottom of the photo.

If you loved my Asiago Cheese Focaccia Bread, then you’ll love these soft, garlic breadsticks.

These easy homemade breadsticks go perfectly with one of your favorite soups. I like to serve these fresh bread Italian breadsticks with my Instant Pot Tomato Soup or Lasagna Soup.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • What You’ll Need To Make Breadsticks
  • Equipment
  • Ingredients
  • Recipe Tips
  • Variations
  • What To Serve With Olive Garden Breadsticks
  • FAQs
  • More Recipes
  • Recipe
  • ⭐ Reviews
Close up view of the end of Breadsticks wrapped in brown paper and a white towel on a blue gray background, with a partial view of the edge of a white bowl, and a partial view of a breadstick on the counter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Side Dish – This breadstick recipe makes a wonderful side dish for the dinner table. It is probably one of my favorite bread recipes.
  • Comfort food – When served with a bowl of minestrone, this warm breadstick makes it seem like all is well in the world.
  • Easy Recipe – These Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are surprisingly easy to make with only a few simple ingredients, yet they taste like you slaved for days!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Tried and True Recipe – This recipe has been made and tested many times with great results.
1 Breadstick being dipped in a bowl of soup, surrounded by other breadsticks on a blue-gray counter, with a partial view of a second bowl of soup in the upper left.

What You’ll Need To Make Breadsticks

Equipment

The affiliate links below will allow you to see the product on Amazon.com. If you purchase one of the items, I will receive a very small commission on the product, which does not increase the price.

  • Stand Mixer
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl Set
  • Sheet Pan
  • Silicone Baking Mat

Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Overhead view of individual bowls of each ingredient with blue labels and white text above each ingredient, on a light gray background with brown speckles.
  • Warm Water
  • Active Dry Yeast – If you use Instant Yeast or Rapid Rise Yeast instead, then you won’t need to proof. Just add flour.
  • Olive Oil – I use olive oil, but you could use vegetable oil or avocado oil.
  • Bread Flour – I used bread flour but you can use all-purpose flour as well.
  • Kosher salt
  • Unsalted Butter – I like to use unsalted butter. However, if you use salted butter, then you may need to reduce the amount of additional salt added to the recipe.
  • Garlic Powder – If you use garlic salt instead, leave out the additional salt.
  • Salt

Directions

2-photo collage of overhead views of in-process photos of making bread dough in a stand mixer.

Place the warm water, yeast, and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and stir. Let stand for 10 minutes until frothy.

Add the oil, 3 ½ cups of flour, and salt, to the yeast mixture, and use the paddle attachment until combined.

Using the dough hook, turn on medium speed, adding a little flour as needed until the dough isn’t sticky. Then continue kneading on medium speed until smooth and elastic.

2-photo collage showing two photos side by side, the one on the left is a bread dough ball just placed in a large bowl with pouring spout, and the photo on the right shows the bread dough in the bowl after it has risen. Each photo has a light gray background with brown speckles. In the upper right of each photo is a small white bowl of melted butter with a brush.

Roll the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

2-photo collage showing in process photos, the photo on the left, shows a loaf of bread dough a floured silpat with red trim. The photo on the right show 12 small balls of dough on a silpat with red trim.

Punch the dough down and divide it into 12 equal pieces, approximately 200 grams each. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into 9-inch long rolls.

Cover and allow the dough to rise again. This second rise will be for about 30 minutes.

A 2-photo collage showing photos of breadsticks before and after baking. The left photo shows the before baking breadsticks photo, and the photo on the right shows the breadsticks after they have been baked, and includes a small white bowl with melted butter in the bottom right corner of the photo. A brush is brushing melted butter on top of one of the breadsticks.

Heat the oven to 400° F. Place the breadsticks on a prepared sheet pan and bake for 12 minutes.

Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and salt and brush over the hot rolls.

Serve warm, and you the best breadsticks you can imagine!

Recipe Tips

  • Rise: For the best results, let these breadsticks rise until they are doubled, and then shape and rise again. 
  • Size: If you want breadsticks that look like Olive Garden Breadsticks, make each breadstick 9 inches long. If they are shorter, they will look like small rolls instead of breadsticks.
  • Proof: If you use instant or rapid-rise yeast, you won’t need to proof; just add with the flour.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can freeze before baking or after baking for up to 3 months. See FAQs below regarding freezing.
Overhead view of photo of baked breadsticks scattered about on a blue-gray counter around a bowl of soup with a spoon in it, with a bundle of breadsticks above that wrapped in brown paper and a white napkin. At the top of the photo is a partial view of a half bowl of soup, and on the right is a partial view of a small white bowl of butter with a brush sitting on top, in the bottom right of the photo is a red and white napkin.

Variations

Cheesy Breadsticks – Add some parmesan or your favorite cheese on top of the breadsticks to make cheesy breadsticks.

Homemade Rolls – If you prefer rolls instead of breadsticks, just shape the dough into small balls instead of long and narrow breadsticks.

What To Serve With Olive Garden Breadsticks

  • Garlic Butter Sauce
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Chopped Vegetable Salad
  • Beer Cheese Soup

FAQs

How Do I Store Italian Breadsticks?

Store the breadsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How Long Do Breadsticks Last In The Refrigerator?

Breadsticks stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator can last up to 5 days.

A close up of a breadstick that has the end off of it, so you can see the bread inside the breadstick. In the background is a blurred view of a partial bowl of soup, more breadsticks on the left, on a blue-gray background.

Can I Freeze Olive Garden Breadsticks?

Yes. You can freeze either before baking or after baking the breadsticks, for up to 3 months.

To freeze before baking, allow the dough to rise the first time but before the second rise. Wrap the breadsticks tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe container or bag.

To freeze after baking, store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

More Recipes

  • Chicken Parmesan
  • Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo
  • Meatball Pizza
  • Instant Pot Saucy Italian Chicken

If you like this recipe or make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment, rate the recipe, and follow us on:

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Recipe

A bundle of about 8 Italian breadsticks wrapped in a white napkin with a bowl of garlic butter with a spoon next to it. A red and white napkin in the top background all on a blue gray background.
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

These soft, buttery Italian Breadsticks, with melted butter and garlic, taste just like the breadsticks at Olive Garden restaurant. Serve with salad, soup, or favorite Italian recipe.
Course Appetizer, Side Dishes
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks, Homemade breadsticks, Italian Breadsticks
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Rise Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 206kcal
Author Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

Ingredients

Breadsticks

  • 1 1/4 cups warm water 110° F
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 2 Tbs granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 3 1/2 – 4 cups bread flour
  • 2 tsp kosher salt

Butter Topping

  • 3 Tbs unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
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Instructions 

  • Place the warm water, yeast and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and stir. Let stand for 10 minutes until frothy.
  • Add the oil, 3 ½ cups of flour and salt and use the paddle attachment until combined.
  • Using the dough hook, turn on medium speed, adding a little flour as needed until the dough isn’t sticky. Then continue kneading on medium speed until smooth and elastic.
  • Roll the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Punch the dough down and divide into 12 equal pieces approximately 200 grams each. Roll each piece into 9 inch long rolls.
  • Cover and allow to rise again for about 30 minutes.
  • Heat the oven to 400° and bake for 12 minutes.
  • Combine the melted butter, garlic powder and salt and brush over the hot rolls.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • Rise: For the best results, let these breadsticks rise until they are doubled, and then shape and rise again. 
  • Size: If you want breadsticks that look like Olive Garden Breadsticks, make each breadstick 9 inches long. If they are shorter, they will look like small rolls instead of breadsticks.
  • Proof: If you use instant or rapid-rise yeast, you won’t need to proof; just add with the flour.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can freeze before baking or after baking for up to 3 months. See FAQs below regarding freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 486mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Filed Under: Appetizers, Budget-friendly, Copycat Restaurant Recipes, Custom 3 Featured Posts, Italian, Side Dishes

DISCLOSURE: Flavor Mosaic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Please note: This blog may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help with blog expenses when you make a purchase through an affiliate link. Thank you for your support!

Reader Interactions

Michele F - Owner / Founder / Creator / Blogger at Flavor Mosaic
Michele

Hi, I’m Michele Feuerborn, wife, and dog Mom, with 20+ years experience as a home cook. I’m the Founder of Flavor Mosaic, as well as the author, recipe developer, and photographer. I share fast, easy, flavorful recipes with bold flavors, featuring Instant Pot recipes and Southern and Mexican cuisines.

Comments

  1. Diana Dale says

    November 8, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    How does one prepare the frozen breadsticks? Must they thaw & then allowed to rise before cooking?

    Reply
    • Michele says

      November 9, 2022 at 6:09 am

      Hi Diana,

      Yes, they will need to thaw and rise before baking.

      Thanks,

      Michele

      Reply

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About Me

Hi, I’m Michele, a home cook with 20+ years experience. I created Flavor Mosaic as a place to share our favorite fast, easy, and flavorful creative recipes with bold flavors, including Southern, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Instant Pot recipes. Read More…

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