Craving that warm, buttery goodness from your favorite restaurant? These copycat Olive Garden breadsticks bring the iconic flavor of Olive Garden right into your kitchen — soft, garlicky, and utterly irresistible. Discover just how easy it is to recreate this fan-favorite at home, and why you’ll never need to dine out for breadsticks again!
| Servings: | 12 |
| Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 12 minutes |
| Total Time: | 2 hours |
| Serving Size: | 1 breadstick |
Description
Soft, warm, and bathed in garlicky butter, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks taste like they just arrived at your table straight from the restaurant. With a fluffy center and a faintly golden crust, they are the kind of appetizer that never makes it to the main course. One bite instantly transports you to the familiar comfort of your favorite Italian American restaurant, where the bread basket is bottomless and the aroma of garlic fills the air.
The magic of these breadsticks lies in their simplicity. Lightly sweetened dough gives you the perfect pillow-soft texture, while a brush of seasoned garlic butter adds depth and richness. The exterior has a delicate sheen and a tender bite, somewhere between a roll and a breadstick. Enjoy them freshly baked and piping hot, and get ready for that “just one more” experience we all know too well. Whether you are serving them with pasta, soup, or just sneaking one on its own, these breadsticks are comforting, nostalgic, and impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers restaurant-quality breadsticks right from your own oven, and you do not have to wait for a table. It uses simple pantry staples and walks you through each step for a foolproof result. Fluffy, golden, buttery, and loaded with garlicky flavor, these breadsticks will impress dinner guests and picky eaters alike.
Plus, they are wonderfully versatile. Serve them as a side dish, add marinara for dipping, or slice them in half for a unique sandwich base. You can even prep the dough in advance and refrigerate or freeze for last-minute baking.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and one half teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter for brushing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt for topping
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or stand mixer with dough hook
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Clean kitchen towel
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step activates the yeast and gives the dough a light rise. If you do not see bubbles, your yeast may be old.
- Step 2: Add the melted butter, salt, and flour gradually. Stir with a wooden spoon or mix on low speed using a dough hook attachment. You want the dough to come together while staying soft but not overly sticky.
- Step 3: Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for around 8 minutes, or let the dough hook do the work for 5 minutes. You are looking for a smooth and elastic dough that bounces back when poked.
- Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. I like to place it in my turned-off oven with the light on.
- Step 5: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 7-inch log that is thicker at the center, just like those iconic restaurant breadsticks.
- Step 6: Arrange the dough logs evenly on the baking sheet with some space between each. Cover with the kitchen towel again and let them rise another 30 minutes until puffed slightly.
- Step 7: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit while the dough finishes its second rise.
- Step 8: Bake the breadsticks for 11 to 13 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped. Do not overbake or they will lose their soft texture.
- Step 9: While the breadsticks are baking, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and stir in the garlic powder and salt. This mixture gives them that signature Olive Garden flavor.
- Step 10: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the garlic butter. Serve hot while the centers are still steamy and soft.
- Step 11: If you have leftovers, store them and follow the reheating tips below to enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven taste again.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 25g |
| Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Fat | 22g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sodium | 580mg |
For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and do not skip the lemon zest. Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the fridge.
Serving and Storage Tips
To keep your breadsticks fresh, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. Reheat breadsticks in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through to restore that fresh-baked feel. For a faster option, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave in short bursts until just warm.
To get ahead on prep, make the dough and let it rise, then shape and refrigerate overnight before baking. Brush with garlic butter just before serving to keep that signature shine and flavor.
Course, Cuisine, Keywords
Side Dish, Italian American, copycat recipe, breadsticks, Olive Garden, Italian dinner, homemade bread
FAQ
Can I use frozen dough instead of making it from scratch?
Yes. If using store-bought frozen dough, thaw it completely and allow it to rise once before shaping into logs. Then follow the baking and butter-brushing steps as written.
What kind of flour works best for this recipe?
All-purpose flour yields a tender result closest to the restaurant version. Bread flour will give a chewier bite, so use it if you prefer a firmer texture.
Can I freeze baked breadsticks?
Yes. Allow them to cool completely, wrap individually in foil or plastic wrap, then store in a zip-top freezer bag. Reheat in the oven directly from frozen at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until warm inside.
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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter for brushing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt for topping
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, salt, and flour gradually. Mix with a wooden spoon or stand mixer until a soft dough forms.
- Knead dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8 minutes or with a dough hook for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a 7-inch log.
- Arrange logs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake breadsticks for 11 to 13 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- While baking, melt 3 tablespoons butter and mix with garlic powder and salt.
- Remove breadsticks from oven and immediately brush generously with garlic butter.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
