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Olive Garden Bread Sticks

Featured in Freshly Baked Goodness.

These homemade Olive Garden breadsticks capture everything you love about the restaurant favorite. The dough comes together easily and yields perfectly soft, fluffy breadsticks. They're brushed with a savory garlic butter topping that gives them that signature Olive Garden taste. While they take about an hour total to make including rise time, most of that is hands-off. The recipe makes 16 breadsticks but can be halved for a smaller batch. You can even use frozen bread dough as a shortcut. Serve them warm from the oven when they're at their absolute best - soft inside with a slight crunch from the butter topping.
sana kitchen chef
Updated on Sun, 16 Feb 2025 01:06:28 GMT
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Olive Garden Breadsticks | recipebyme.com

The irresistible aroma of freshly baked breadsticks, golden and glistening with garlic butter, brings the authentic Olive Garden experience right into your kitchen. These homemade breadsticks capture the perfect balance of soft, pillowy texture inside and a gentle crisp outside, making them virtually indistinguishable from the restaurant favorite you know and love.

After years of testing different flour combinations and rising techniques, I've found this recipe produces the most authentic results. My family now requests these breadsticks for every gathering, and they disappear faster than I can bake them.

Essential Ingredients Guide

  • Active dry yeast: Provides the perfect rise and develops complex flavors during proofing. Look for yeast that's within its expiration date and store it in the refrigerator
  • Unbleached all-purpose flour: Creates the ideal texture. Choose a protein content between 10-12% for the perfect chew
  • Premium salted butter: Enhances the rich flavor profile. European-style butter with higher fat content yields superior results
  • Fine granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and balances flavors. Avoid substituting with other sweeteners
  • Sea salt: Brings out the buttery notes. Kosher salt works well too, but table salt can make them too salty
  • Garlic powder: Provides consistent flavor. Fresh garlic can burn during baking
  • Mediterranean oregano: Adds authentic Italian flavor notes. Turkish oregano works well too

Creating Perfect Breadsticks

Starting The Magic:
Mix warm water (110°F) with yeast in a glass bowl, watching for bubbles that signal active yeast. Meanwhile, measure flour using the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.
Developing The Base:
Combine sugar, softened butter, and salt in your stand mixer, ensuring butter is at room temperature for proper incorporation. Add flour gradually, allowing each addition to blend completely.
Mastering The Rise:
Create a warm environment by preheating your oven briefly, then turning it off. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, covering with a damp cloth to maintain perfect humidity.
Shaping Your Success:
Position each dough portion on a lightly floured marble or wooden surface. Use your palms to roll each piece with gentle, even pressure, working from the center outward. Watch for uniform thickness throughout the length.
Time For Transformation:
Place breadsticks on parchment-lined baking sheets, maintaining two-inch spacing. Cover gently with a clean kitchen towel and let rise until visibly puffy.
The Final Touch:
Brush with melted garlic butter mixture, applying half before baking and half after. This layering of flavor develops during the baking process, creating irresistible breadsticks.
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Tasty Olive Garden Bread Sticks | recipebyme.com

Growing up in an Italian household, bread making was a sacred weekend ritual. My grandmother always said the quality of your bread reflects the love you put into making it. These breadsticks embody that philosophy perfectly.

Perfect Pairings

Transform any meal into a restaurant-worthy experience by serving these warm breadsticks alongside hearty Italian soups, crisp garden salads, or robust pasta dishes. They shine particularly bright when used to soak up rich tomato sauces or creamy alfredo.

Creative Adaptations

Explore different flavor profiles by incorporating roasted garlic into the dough, sprinkling everything bagel seasoning before baking, or adding crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. For a wholesome twist, substitute up to one-third of the flour with whole wheat while maintaining the same soft texture.

Keeping Freshness Alive

Store your baked treasures in a paper bag at room temperature for up to two days, maintaining their crisp exterior. Revive day-old breadsticks by spritzing them lightly with water and warming in a 350°F oven for five minutes. Freeze unbaked breadsticks after shaping for up to three months.

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Close-up Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe | recipebyme.com

After years of perfecting this recipe, I've found that these breadsticks bring people together like nothing else. There's something magical about breaking bread together, especially when it's warm from the oven and crafted with care. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving comfort food, these breadsticks never fail to create moments of pure joy around the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze these breadsticks?
Yes, you can freeze the baked breadsticks for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm briefly in the oven before serving.
→ How do I store leftover breadsticks?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave before serving.
→ Why didn't my dough rise properly?
This usually happens if your yeast is old or if the water was too hot/cold. Use warm water (110-115°F) and check that your yeast is fresh.
→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after kneading for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
→ What's the best way to reheat these breadsticks?
Wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or microwave individually for 15-20 seconds.

Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Learn how to make those famous Olive Garden breadsticks at home - soft, fluffy and topped with the perfect garlic butter seasoning blend.

Prep Time
45 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Sana

Category: Breads & Pastries

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 16 Servings (16 breadsticks)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough

01 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
02 1 1/4 cups warm water
03 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
04 2 tablespoons softened butter
05 2 tablespoons sugar
06 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

→ Topping

07 3 tablespoons melted butter
08 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
10 1/2 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

Step 01

In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup warm water and yeast. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.

Step 02

In a mixer bowl, combine sugar, butter, salt, and 4 cups of flour. Add the yeast mixture and remaining water, then mix until you get a sticky dough.

Step 03

Add about 1/4 cup more flour and continue mixing until you achieve a soft, smooth dough texture.

Step 04

On a floured surface, divide the dough in half and form two 12-inch logs. Cut each log into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a 7-inch breadstick.

Step 05

Arrange breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving 1-1.5 inches between each. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes.

Step 06

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Brush the breadsticks with half of the prepared topping mixture.

Step 07

Bake for 12-15 minutes until they turn light golden brown.

Step 08

Remove from oven and immediately brush with the remaining butter mixture.

Notes

  1. This recipe makes 16 breadsticks, perfect for a family dinner. You can halve the recipe for a smaller batch.
  2. For a quick shortcut, you can use frozen bread dough - one loaf makes 8 breadsticks. Frozen rolls work too, making slightly smaller breadsticks.

Tools You'll Need

  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Sheet pan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter)
  • Contains gluten (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 164
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 4 g