Our copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are the perfect go-to weeknight pairing to hearty soup or salad. Just like the real deal, you’ll soon realize that homemade Olive Garden breadsticks are oh so addicting! Nothing compares to fresh out of the oven – pillowy soft, warm bread coated in a rich, creamy butter and dusted in savory garlic. Serve copycat Olive Garden breadsticks as a side dish or appetizer for your next weeknight Italian meal! Dare we say you may even like your homemade breadsticks, better?
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup and 2 tablespoons warm water (110 – 115 degrees)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
Supplies
Directions
In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the warm water, yeast, 1/ 2 teaspoon of sugar. Whisk on low until the yeast dissolves. Allow the yeast mixture to rest for at least 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, add the remaining sugar, salt, and melted butter. Remove the whisk attachment from the standing mixture and replace with a dough hook. Gradually add the bread flour, about a cup at a time at low speed.
When the mixture turns to dough, increase the speed to medium and knead the dough for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Meanwhile, lightly oil a large bowl and set aside.
Place the dough in the lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let the dough rest in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours until it has doubled in size.
When the dough has doubled in size, punch the center down. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Next, roll each piece into a 7-inch breadstick. Place the breadsticks on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or with a Silpat. Cover the breadsticks with a kitchen towel. Allow the breadsticks to rest for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Bake the breadsticks for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Supplies
Directions
Place the breadsticks on wire cooling racks. Using a pastry brush, brush the breadsticks with melted butter, and sprinkle them with garlic salt. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
Substitute all-purpose flour for bread flour if you do not have bread flour on hand. Bread flour will yield chewier copycat Olive Garden breadsticks due to higher protein content.
If you’d like to make your copycat Olive Garden breadsticks dairy-free, use a plant-based spread such as Earth Balance.
If you’d like to make your copycat Olive Garden breadsticks gluten-free, use a multi-purpose flour such as gluten-free Cup 4 Cup.
Purchase a non-stick silicone Silpat baking mat online.
What To Serve With Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Brittany Baxter
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are the perfect pairing for many meals, but it’s particularly good with soup, salad, and Italian-style pasta dishes. You may want to consider serving your homemade breadsticks with crockpot loaded potato soup, or our copycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup. Try pairing the breadsticks with our Cajun Chicken Pasta or easy one-pot pasta for busy work nights. Live life to your tastes, by sprinkling your breadsticks with different flavorings, such as parmesan or oregano.
Copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are so good you may consider adding them to your regular dinner rotation. You’ll never have to worry about running out with this fantastic recipe on hand.
