Olive Garden Style Breadsticks

Posted on December 21, 2025

High-calorie fast food meal consisting of burger, fries, soda, and a sad face emoticon.

Easy, Delicious Olive Garden Style Breadsticks Recipe

Ah, breadsticks. Is there anything more comforting than the smell of warm, freshly baked bread sticks wafting through your kitchen? Honestly, every time I whip up a batch of these Olive Garden-style breadsticks, it feels like I’m inviting a little piece of that restaurant experience home. You know, the one where you’re slipping the buttery, garlicky goodness straight out of the oven and practically drooling all over yourself as they go straight from the baking sheet to your mouth? Yeah, that’s the dream, and I’m here to share how you can achieve that bliss.

It all started on a particularly chilly evening when I was settled into the couch, a soft throw blanket draped over my legs, and a favorite rom-com flick playing in the background. I was missing the familiar comfort of dining out—my soulmate in carbs has always been those irresistible Olive Garden breadsticks, warm and soft, begging to be dunked into marinara or slathered in butter. Inspired, I decided that it was time to try and recreate this masterpiece in my humble home kitchen. Spoiler alert: I overzealously sprinkled garlic powder everywhere and almost mistook sugar for salt, but what’s cooking without a little chaos, am I right?

These breadsticks hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of family gatherings—happy moments spent around the table, laughter, and stories shared over breadsticks and endless salad. Every bite brings back memories of hearty conversations, joy, and maybe just a few too many breadsticks consumed in one sitting. Honestly, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of homemade food to soothe the soul.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and bring that nostalgic feeling into your kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Easy: This is an easy weeknight dinner showstopper that requires minimal fuss. If baking bread sounds intimidating, don’t worry—I’ll guide you through each step.
Comfort in Every Bite: The fluffy texture and buttery taste make these breadsticks the healthy comfort food your heart craves on a cozy evening.
Leftover Magic: These stay delicious for days, perfect for snacking or serving with any meal. Trust me, they’re even great cold!
Picky-Eater Approved: Kids and adults alike can agree—everyone loves a good breadstick!
Meal Prep Wins: Looking for quick family meals? Pair these with soups, salads, or pastas, and you’ve got an instant feast.
Versatile: You can easily customize these breadsticks by adding your favorite herbs or seasoning—so get creative!

What Makes This Recipe Special?

The magic truly lies in the simplicity of the ingredients. Flour, yeast, sugar, and butter come together to create something truly transformative. The olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning add dimension, making it feel like you’ve traveled to an Italian trattoria without leaving your kitchen. Plus, that sense of accomplishment after kneading your dough and watching it rise? Priceless!

The process of creating these breadsticks is almost therapeutic. From watching the yeast bubble and froth when you combine it with sugar, to the act of kneading that dough as you let go of the day’s stress—it’s a little slice of zen.

Ingredients

2 cups warm water: This is the basis for our dough. Make sure it’s pleasantly warm—not hot! Too hot and you’ll kill the yeast; too cold and it won’t activate. Go for that sweet spot around 110°F (43°C).
2 tablespoons sugar: This helps the yeast to grow and provides a hint of sweetness to the dough. Sweet like your Aunt Barbara after a few glasses of wine!
1 tablespoon active dry yeast: Our little magic workers! They will make our dough rise and create that fluffy texture.
5 cups all-purpose flour: Essential for structure. I typically use all-purpose flour for its versatility—trust me, you can make almost anything with it!
1 teaspoon salt: For flavor, of course! It’s the key to amplifying everything else.
1/4 cup melted butter: This will bathe our breadsticks in richness. You’ll want to brush some on top at the end, too!
Garlic powder (to taste): The more, the merrier! Garlic is what makes these for me. Don’t be shy!
Italian seasoning (to taste): Just for that extra zing that transports you straight to Italy. Think of this as the sprinkles on top of your sundae.

Tips:

If you prefer a lighter flavor, switch out the garlic powder for grated Parmesan cheese, or even some minced fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Avoid using self-rising flour as it alters the yeast’s work, which is vital for the rise.

How to Make It Step-by-Step

Alright, friends, let’s dive into the process and bring these breadsticks to life. Get ready to indulge in some kitchen fun (and a bit of chaos)!

Activate the yeast: Start in a medium-sized bowl. Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast together. Just mix it gently with a spoon and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. It should start to look all frothy and foamy like your morning latte. This is when the yeast awakens and gets its party started!
Mixing it up: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. A simple mix with a whisk will do wonders! Now, pour in that frothy yeast mixture alongside your melted butter. Stir it with all your might until a soft dough starts forming. You might feel like a mad scientist at this stage, and that’s totally okay!
Knead, knead, knead: Dust a clean surface with some flour and transfer the dough. Now comes the part that gets your arms working. Knead that dough for about 5-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. You want it to feel like a bouncy cloud. If it’s too sticky, by all means, sprinkle a bit more flour—but don’t go overboard or you’ll be left with bricks instead of breadsticks.
Rise and shine: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a cozy kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size—about an hour. This is when you can go binge-watch an episode of your favorite show!
Preheat the oven: At around the 45-minute mark, get that oven fired up to 375°F (190°C). Just think of the dreamy aroma filling your house soon!
Shape it up: Punch down your risen dough (ahh, sweet relief!) and then divide it into equal pieces—about 12 sounds good. Roll each piece into sticks, kind of like you’re assembling tiny volcanoes of goodness!
Let them rise again: Place those beauts on a greased baking sheet, and let them rise for another 20 minutes. This step is just as important; we want fluffy pillows of goodness, not flat pancakes.
Bake it!: Pop those bad boys in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until they turn golden brown. You’ll know they are close when they start emitting that glorious bread smell.
Flavor finishing: Pull them out, and while they’re still hot, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning as liberally as your heart desires. This is the part where you’ll try not to eat them all while they’re still hot!

Throughout this entire process, do take moments to appreciate the little things—like the fact that your hands are covered in flour, your heart is light, and each rise of the dough is a reminder that good things come with a little patience.

Tips for Best Results

Temperature matters! Warm water is critical for yeast activation. So feel free to nudge it a bit if it’s a chillier day.
Kneading the dough enables gluten formation, giving the bread structure—don’t skimp on this part!
If your breadsticks fall flat, check your yeast. Old yeast is a culprit for lack of rise—fresh is best!
Don’t rush the rising times. Gathering around the table is just as much about anticipation as it is about eating!
Using a pizza stone or baking steel in the oven mimics a professional baker’s environment, enhancing the final result.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Now, don’t feel boxed in! Here are a few exciting swaps and variations to personalize your breadsticks:

Herbs Galore: Try fresh herbs like rosemary or basil for a garden-inspired twist. You’ll feel like the pasta gods are smiling down on you.
Cheesy Delight: Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese into your dough for a cheesy interior. Think mozzarella or cheddar melting into your breadsticks—yes, please!
Garlic Lover’s Dream: Roast some garlic cloves and mix them in for an intense garlic flavor (my favorite!), or add a little extra minced garlic to the butter glaze post-baking.
Sweet n’ Savory: Want to venture into dessert territory? Swap some sugar for cinnamon and drizzle with honey post-baking; you’ve got a win-win on your hands!

Directions

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and melted butter, stir until a dough forms.
Knead on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes until smooth.
Place in a greased bowl, cover, let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Divide dough, shape into sticks, and place on a greased baking sheet. Let rise for 20 minutes.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Brush with melted butter, sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning before serving.

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Pairing Ideas (Drinks, Sides, etc.)

I can’t emphasize enough how well these breadsticks pair with almost anything. If you’re in a cozy mood, try them with a creamy tomato basil soup. The combination?? Pure bliss!

Want to impress your book club or friends? The breadsticks will happily accompany a rich pasta dish—spaghetti, fettuccine… you name it! A light salad topped with sharp cheese is a perfect complement, too.

And let’s chat about drinks—if you’re feeling fancy, a nice sparkling lemonade would be the ultimate companion. You know, to wash down all that carby happiness!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

After indulging in that glorious moment, you might be faced with some leftover breadsticks (if they even last long enough!). Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should keep well for 2-3 days—if you can resist, that is!

When it’s time to devour them again, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. This way, they’ll regain that delightful warmth and crusty exterior. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave will give you a warm treat. But, to be real, they may lose some of that crunchy texture—so, oven it is!

Make-Ahead and Freezer Tips

Prep ahead of time! You can easily make the dough a day prior. Allow it to rise, then punch down and shape into breadsticks. Place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The next day, let them come to room temperature, rise, and then bake as usual.

If you’d like to freeze them, freeze the shaped, uncooked breadsticks on the baking sheet until solid before transferring to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then rise and bake as usual. Talk about convenient!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over or under-kneading: If the dough feels sticky or tears too easily, you need to knead it longer. But if it feels tough and dry, you may be overdoing it.
Not allowing enough rise time: Waiting is key! Skipping this step may make your breadsticks tough and dense.
Ignoring water temperature: Too hot kills adventure-loving yeast, while too cold makes them lazy. Find that warm spot!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use instant yeast?
Absolutely! If you have instant yeast, skip the activation step and just mix it directly with your dry ingredients.
Can I make these vegan?
You can definitely replace the butter with a vegan butter alternative, and swap out for a plant-based milk if needed.
How can I make these gluten-free?
Try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but be sure to check ingredient ratios, as these can vary by brand.

Cooking Tools You’ll Need

Mixing bowls (large for dough, medium for activation)
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Baking sheet
Clean surface for kneading
Plastic wrap or a kitchen towel

Final Thoughts

There’s something vastly comforting about making these Olive Garden-style breadsticks, and by the time you’re pulling them from the oven, you’ll find a little piece of your heart has transformed into doughy goodness.

Picture yourself impressing your family with warm, fluffy breadsticks; it’s the simple, cozy moments that turn a meal into a memory. Honestly, this recipe is a gateway to feel-good adventures in the kitchen, and I hope it brings as much joy to you as it has to my family.

So go on and share this delectable recipe with a friend, or pin it so it doesn’t get lost in the chaos! Because trust me, you’ll want to make these again and again. Happy baking, friends! If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest or share it with a friend!