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Love the buttery breadsticks served at Olive Garden? Now you can make them at home with this easy Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe. With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep and a buttery cheesy coating, these soft and tender breadsticks are irresistibly good and perfect for serving alongside soups and pasta.
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
There is no need to make a trip to Olive Garden to enjoy their famous soup, salad, and breastick combo!
With this easy recipe for Olive Garden Breadsticks, along with my copycat recipes for Olive Garden salad, Instant Pot Pasta e fagioli, Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana, Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup, and Instant Pot Minestrone, you can enjoy a BETTER version of the famous trio right from the comfort of your own home.
With simple ingredients, minimal prep, and a coating of seasoned butter and parmesan cheese, it really doesn't get much better than these homemade breadsticks.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
You will find the full list of ingredients, along with quantities in the recipe card. Below is a quick glance at what you need and tips to help you make the right selection.
- Yeast: Use active dry yeast, not instant yeast for this recipe. And always ensure your yeast is fresh and not expired.
- Parmesan: For the classic Olive Garden flavor, opt to use grated parmesan cheese sold in a tub at the deli or in a canister over freshly grated cheese (or elevate the breadsticks with freshly grated cheese--you can't go wrong either way!)
How to Make Olive Garden Breadsticks
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Bloom the Yeast. Blooming the yeast just means to activate the yeast. This is done by combining water, sugar, and yeast together and letting it sit until it gets foamy. Be sure your water is between 100-110℉/ 38-42℃. If the water is colder the yeast will not activate and if any warmer and the yeast will be killed.
- Form the Dough. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add the melted butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the bowl. Mix until the mixture comes together and easily pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Keep in mind you may need to add additional flour. This will depend on various factors that vary from house to house. If needed, add ¼ cup of additional flour at a time until the dough comes together.
- Knead the Dough. This dough does not need kneaded long, just until smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm spot in your kitchen until doubled in size.
- Shape the Breadsticks. After the dough has risen, divide the dough into 8 even balls. Roll each ball into a 6-8-inch log shape. Place the shaped breadsticks on a baking sheet, cover and let rise until doubled in size.
- Brush with Seasoned Butter. To add the ultimate flavor to these breadsticks that make them reminiscent of Olive Garden's famous breadsticks, brush each breadstick with melted butter than has been seasoned with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Bake. Bake the breadsticks until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and brush them again with the butter mixture and finish by sprinkling them with parmesan cheese.
Storing Homemade Breadsticks
- Store: Let cool, then wrap in foil or transfer to an airtight bag, being sure to remove all excess air. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Wrap breadsticks in foil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 350℉ until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, wrap the breadsticks in a moistened paper towel and place on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 10-15 seconds, or until warmed through
Serving Suggestions
These Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks pair especially well with pasta and soups. Or can be served on their own with crockpot spaghetti sauce and/or bread dipping oil as an irresistible appetizer. Below are a few of my favorite dishes to pair with these homemade breadsticks.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Video
Ingredients
Breadsticks
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons warm water , about 100-110℉
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Garlic Butter Topping
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or bowl of the stand mixer, combine 1 cup + 2 tablespoons warm water , 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast. Let that mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is nice and foamy.
- Add melted butter, kosher salt, and 2 cups of flour and mix until combined. Add additional flour, ¼ cup at a time for a total of 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is soft and only slightly sticky to the touch.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, sprinkling with no more than 1 tablespoon of flour at a time as needed to make the dough manageable.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise for one hour, or until doubled in size. Depending on the temperature of your kitchen this will be between 1 to 1½ hours.
- Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and gently punch it down. Divide the dough into 12 equal-sized balls.
- Roll each ball out into a 6 to 8-inch rope. Place the breadsticks onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour to 1½ hours.
- After the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 400℉ (205℃).
- While the oven is preheating, combine 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted), ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush the dough with the butter mixture, using only about half the butter mixture.
- Bake the bread sticks until lightly golden brown, about 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190-200℉ (90-93℃).
- Remove the breadsticks from the oven, and brush them with the remaining butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi! Maybe I’m not reading the recipe correctly, but when do you add the Parmesan cheese? Thanks!
Hi Rochelle! Sorry for any confusion, the parmesan cheese is added after the breadsticks bake and are brushed with the remaining butter. I hope you enjoy!
I can't believe I was able to make these! They were so tasty and the fact I can make a batch anytime is the best thing ever. I say better than Olive Garden breadsticks!
Love hearing this, Lisa! Thank you for sharing.
My kids went crazy for these garlic breadsticks. I can't wait to make them again. The recipe is straight forward and easy to follow, I am not a bread expert but they turned out so soft and delicious.
Love hearing you and your family enjoyed these, Lee! Thanks for sharing.
These are every bit as wonderful as the restaurant original! Now I can have these anytime at home!
I am thrilled to hear you enjoy this version 🙂