Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

Easy, homemade Olive Garden style breadsticks are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and slathered in garlic butter. After making these many times, I’ve perfected the technique for that perfect copycat taste. The trick I discovered is using instant yeast and warm water to kickstart the dough. These breadsticks are better than takeout and perfect for any night of the week. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie Recipe for Dessert.

What You'll Need for Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: Dried parsley or basil

How to Make Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

1. Make the dough: Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water and melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
3. Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
4. Shape the breadsticks: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-inch rope and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Let them rise again: Cover the breadsticks with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the breadsticks for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Prepare the garlic butter: While the breadsticks are baking, melt butter and mix in minced garlic, parsley, basil, and salt.
8. Brush with garlic butter: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush them with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dried herbs if desired.

Storing & Reheating Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Freezing Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

Freeze leftover breadsticks for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, but be careful not to overheat.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a lighter dough, you can use half all-purpose flour and half bread flour.
• Best substitution: If you don't have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast. The dough may take longer to rise.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on how many breadsticks you need.
• Troubleshooting: If your breadsticks are burning on the bottom, try reducing the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

15 mins

⏳

Total

30 mins

🍽

Serves

12 breadsticks

🥗

Diet

vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups bread flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Seasonings

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Optional Toppings

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Dried parsley or basil

Instructions

1. Make the dough: Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water and melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
3. Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
4. Shape the breadsticks: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-inch rope and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Let them rise again: Cover the breadsticks with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the breadsticks for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Prepare the garlic butter: While the breadsticks are baking, melt butter and mix in minced garlic, parsley, basil, and salt.
8. Brush with garlic butter: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush them with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dried herbs if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a lighter dough, you can use half all-purpose flour and half bread flour.
• Best substitution: If you don't have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast. The dough may take longer to rise.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on how many breadsticks you need.
• Troubleshooting: If your breadsticks are burning on the bottom, try reducing the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze leftover breadsticks for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, but be careful not to overheat.
• Make ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 5g
• Carbs: 23g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sat. Fat: 3g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Homemade Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!