Olive Garden Breadsticks

These homemade Olive Garden breadsticks are the perfect combination of soft, fluffy texture and rich garlic-butter flavor. Fresh from the oven, they have a light golden crust and a melt-in-your-mouth center that pairs beautifully with soups, salads, or pasta.

Baking these breadsticks at home is easier than you think! With a simple yeast dough and a quick garlic butter glaze, you can recreate the famous restaurant-style experience right in your kitchen. Serve them warm for a comforting and delicious treat that will have everyone reaching for seconds!

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ teaspoons salt

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Add flour, melted butter, and salt to the bowl. Mix until the dough comes together. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a breadstick shape.
Place breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
While the breadsticks are baking, mix melted butter with garlic powder and salt.
Brush the hot breadsticks with the garlic butter mixture right after they come out of the oven.
Serve warm and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Kcal: 140 kcal per breadstick | Servings: 12 breadsticks

Homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks – The Perfect Copycat Recipe

Olive Garden’s breadsticks are legendary—soft, fluffy, and brushed with a buttery garlic glaze. These warm, golden breadsticks are a staple at the restaurant, served alongside soup, salad, and pasta dishes. The good news? You don’t need to dine out to enjoy them. With this homemade copycat recipe, you can recreate the magic of Olive Garden’s breadsticks right in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for “just one more” of those irresistible breadsticks at Olive Garden, this recipe is for you. These homemade breadsticks:

Are made from simple, pantry-friendly ingredients.
Have the same soft, chewy texture as the restaurant version.
Are coated in a flavorful garlic butter topping.
Pair beautifully with any meal or work as a snack on their own.
Can be made ahead of time and reheated for later enjoyment.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving a warm, buttery treat, these breadsticks are a must-try.

The Secret to Soft and Fluffy Breadsticks

The key to achieving the same soft and fluffy texture as Olive Garden breadsticks lies in a few essential baking techniques:

Proper Yeast Activation: Using warm water (about 110°F) helps activate the yeast properly, ensuring the dough rises well and creates that light, airy texture.
Kneading the Dough: Kneading for about 8-10 minutes develops the gluten, which is essential for soft and stretchy bread.
Letting the Dough Rise Twice: Allowing the dough to rise twice—once after mixing and again after shaping—ensures an even, fluffy texture.
Baking at the Right Temperature: A hot oven (400°F) gives the breadsticks a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside soft.
Brushing with Garlic Butter Immediately: Adding the garlic butter while the breadsticks are still warm helps absorb the flavors and keeps them moist.

What to Serve with These Breadsticks

These breadsticks are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:

With Soups: Pair them with a bowl of homemade tomato soup, creamy potato soup, or a classic minestrone.
Alongside Salads: Serve them with a fresh Caesar salad or a classic garden salad.
With Pasta Dishes: These breadsticks complement rich, saucy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti Bolognese, or baked ziti.
As a Snack: Enjoy them on their own with a dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or a creamy garlic aioli.
For Sandwiches: Slice them in half and use them as a base for mini sandwiches with meats, cheese, and veggies.

How to Store and Reheat Breadsticks

If you have leftovers (which is rare!), you can easily store and reheat them to enjoy later.

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: Keep them wrapped in plastic wrap or foil for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Wrap breadsticks in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes or in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For the best flavor, brush them with extra melted butter before serving.

Tips for the Best Homemade Breadsticks

Use Bread Flour for a Chewier Texture: Bread flour has a higher protein content, which creates a slightly chewier texture. However, all-purpose flour works well too.
Don’t Overflour the Dough: A slightly sticky dough ensures soft breadsticks. Adding too much flour can make them dense.
Let the Dough Rest if It’s Too Elastic: If the dough resists stretching when rolling into breadsticks, let it rest for 5-10 minutes to relax the gluten.
Customize the Toppings: Try adding grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, or a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor.

Why This Recipe is a Perfect Copycat

This recipe closely mimics the texture, flavor, and aroma of Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks. The soft interior, golden crust, and rich garlic butter topping make them taste just like the real deal. Many copycat recipes miss the mark by using too much butter or skipping the double rise, but this method ensures a restaurant-quality result.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Water That’s Too Hot or Too Cold: Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, while water that’s too cold won’t activate it properly. Stick to 110°F for best results.
Skipping the Second Rise: Letting the shaped breadsticks rise before baking gives them their signature soft texture.
Overbaking: Keep an eye on the oven, as overbaking can make the breadsticks dry instead of soft and chewy.
Not Brushing with Butter Right Away: Brushing the breadsticks immediately after baking allows them to absorb the butter and enhances the flavor.

Conclusion

Homemade Olive Garden breadsticks are easier to make than you might think, and they taste just as good—if not better—than the restaurant version. Whether you’re serving them with a full Italian meal or enjoying them as a snack, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. By following the right techniques, allowing the dough to rise properly, and finishing them with a buttery garlic glaze, you’ll have soft, golden-brown breadsticks that everyone will love.

Give this recipe a try and impress your family and friends with fresh, homemade breadsticks that are just as delicious as the ones from Olive Garden!

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