These Homemade Breadsticks are an Olive Garden copycat recipe but so much better! Soft and fluffy breadsticks with a garlic butter crust that are absolutely irresistible!

Garlic breadsticks in a bread basket topped with a garlic butter spread.

Enjoy this video recipe tutorial for these breadsticks. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Okay! Confession. I kind of really like all recipes from Olive Garden.

I mean, I have way too many copycat versions of their recipes on our site to prove it! From the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara to the popular Pasta Fagioli soup to the Chicken Scampi and you can’t forget the homemade Alfredo Sauce you can use with creamy chicken fettuccine! However, these breadsticks are going to top all these recipes.

Soft and chewy breadsticks topped with a butter spread mixed with garlic and Italian seasoning.

Homemade Breadsticks:

Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to enjoy breadsticks as much as Olive Garden’s recipe, we bring to you breadsticks that are even BETTER than Olive Garden! Soft, airy and fluffy breadsticks with garlic butter and herb crust, SO GOOD!

If you’ve ever felt intimidated to try breadsticks at home, once you try this recipe, you’re going to feel so accomplished. They are foolproof and so easy to make.

Image collage of step by step directions how to make homemade breadsticks from scratch.

Ingredients for Homemade Breadsticks:

I love this recipe so much because you most likely already have all of the ingredients needed for the breadsticks recipe in your pantry.

  • Flour – Use a good quality all-purpose flour. Once you measure out the flour, sift the flour through a sieve.
  • Yeast – We prefer active dry yeast for this recipe. Be sure your yeast activates and hasn’t gone bad or your breadsticks will not turn out.
  • Salt – Takes out the blandness of plain bread.
  • Sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the breadstick so it doesn’t taste overly savory.
  • Butter Herbs – We like to combine the garlic (you can use garlic salt) with melted butter and Italian herbs and generously spread over the breadsticks. The garlic butter adds so much flavor to the breadsticks. TIP- This step is optional, though highly recommended.
How to make twelve homemade bread sticks from scratch.

How to Make Breadsticks:

  1. Add the sifted flour to a large bowl (or your standup mixer bowl). Create a well in the center of the flour.
  2. Combine the melted butter, water and salt into the well. Sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the water and gently stir. Allow the yeast to activate, it will become foamy.
  3. Mix everything until flour is well incorporated. Cover the dough and allow to rise for 1 hour.
  4. Shape dough into twelve breadsticks and layout on a baking sheet, rise 30 minutes.
  5. Bake the breadsticks until golden in color.
  6. Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients for the garlic butter.
  7. Once breadsticks are baked, generously spread with the butter spread.
Olive garden breadsticks next to each other topped with a garlic butter spread.

Our kiddos don’t always LOVE the recipes we create. These breadsticks were a HUGE hit. As we were perfecting the recipe, we had the breadsticks on repeat and they always disappeared in minutes. Yes, they are that good!

How to Freeze Breadsticks?

Freeze breadsticks once cooled in a freezer bag. Completely thaw breadsticks and reheat for warm breadsticks. Breadsticks may be reheated in the oven, microwave or toaster oven.

Other Bread Recipes –

Homemade Breadsticks Recipe (Better than Olive Garden)

Author: Valentina
Print
4.95 from 19 votes
Soft and fluffy breadsticks with a garlic butter crust that are absolutely irresistible!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12 breadsticks

Ingredients

breadsticks-

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, measured then sifted
  • cups warm water
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

garlic butter topping-

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or garlic salt if prefer a hint of salt on top)
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the sifted flour and create a well in the center.
  • Combine together the warm water, melted butter and salt. Pour mixture in the well.
  • Sprinkle yeast and sugar over water, gently stir and allow yeast to activate (about 5 minutes).
  • Mix the dough until well incorporated. Cover the dough and let rise for an hour.
  • Shape twelve breadsticks and place onto a baking sheet. Allow to rise an additional 30 minutes.
  • Bake at 375°F for 14-16 minutes, or until breadsticks are golden.
  • Combine melted butter, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. With a pastry brush, generously brush the breadstick with the garlic butter.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

For the butter topping, use garlic powder or garlic salt for a hint of that salt in the butter. 

Nutrition

179kcal Calories25g Carbs4g Protein7g Fat4g Saturated Fat18mg Cholesterol351mg Sodium43mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar204IU Vitamin A9mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Breadsticks Recipe (Better than Olive Garden)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 179 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 18mg6%
Sodium 351mg15%
Potassium 43mg1%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 204IU4%
Calcium 9mg1%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)