These Olive Garden breadsticks aren’t just as good as the restaurant version … they’re even better! They’re soft, buttery, garlicky, and super easy to make.
There’s a reason that Olive Garden breadsticks are so popular. Anyone who’s been to the restaurant knows how good they are. So it’s pretty exciting to tell you that I’ve got a recipe that’s every bit as good. In fact, these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are even better than the ones at the restaurant.
These breadsticks are so soft and pillowy. They’re very buttery and have just the right amount of garlic. The breadsticks are perfect to eat by themselves, or for soaking up some pasta sauce from your plate. And best of all? They’re easy to make, and only use ingredients that you probably already have. You’ve got to try them.
Why You’ll Love These Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
I make these buttery breadsticks all the time. Here’s why I know you’ll love them.
- Fresh. The breadsticks at Olive Garden are fantastic. But you can’t beat breadsticks that are fresh out of the oven. You’ll be blown away at how tender and pillowy these breadsticks are.
- Simple. A lot of people don’t make bread because they think it’s too complicated. Some recipes definitely are difficult to make. But this isn’t one of them! This recipe is so easy to follow. It only has 7 ingredients, and they’re all common pantry items. And it only takes a little over an hour!
- Impressive. Everybody loves Olive Garden breadsticks. This means if you make this recipe for your friends, they’ll be blown away. I promise you that you’ll impress anyone that you serve these to.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this perfect copycat bread. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the article to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
For the Breadsticks:
- Water – The water needs to be at about 110F.
- Active dry yeast
- Sugar
- Bread flour – All-purpose flour will work in a pinch, but bread flour will make for a better texture.
- Salt
- Butter – Make sure to use unsalted butter.
For the Topping:
- Butter – You want to use unsalted butter for the topping, too.
- Garlic salt – If you don’t have garlic salt, you can replace it with a mixture of granulated garlic and salt.
How to Make Breadsticks Like the Olive Garden
Here’s how to make homemade breadsticks that taste just like the ones you get at Olive Garden:
- Prepare the yeast. Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast to a bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until it gets foamy.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Add the flour and salt to a mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Add the wet ingredients. Pour the water mixture and the melted butter into the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough starts to come together in a ball.
- Knead. Lightly flour a surface, and put the dough on it. Knead the breadstick dough for 5 minutes.
- Divide. Portion the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Roll. Roll the 12 pieces into breadsticks.
- Place on a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicon mat. Place the breadsticks on top.
- Rest. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap or kitchen towels, and let the breadsticks sit for 45 minutes.
- Heat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400F.
- Bake. Uncover the breadsticks, and place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake until lightly browned, which should take about 12 minutes.
- Make the topping. Mix together the melted butter and garlic salt while the breadsticks are baking.
- Add the topping. When you remove the breadsticks from the oven, paint them with the buttery topping.
- Cool. Let the breadsticks cool slightly, then serve warm.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tricks and tips for making these copycat breadsticks.
- Use the right kind of yeast. There are a few different types of yeast. Each kind of yeast needs to be used differently. The most common is active dry yeast, which is what this recipe uses. Make sure that you’re using active dry yeast.
- Store your yeast properly. Yeast can last for a long time, but only if it’s stored in a dark and cool space. For best results, keep your yeast in the fridge or freezer. You can also keep it stored in a dark cabinet.
- Be careful with your yeast. It’s important to be precise when using yeast. Make sure to use the exact right amount, and heat the water to the perfect temperature. Also be sure to rest the dough for the right amount of time and not longer. Otherwise, the breadsticks might become dense.
Serving Suggestions
I like to eat these breadsticks the same way that they’re eaten at Olive Garden: with Italian food. They’re perfect for sopping up the extra sauce. Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve with these garlicky breadsticks.
How to Store and Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight bag. They’ll last on the counter for 3 days, or in the fridge for 5 days. Reheat them for 5 minutes in a 350F oven, or in the microwave on 80% power in 15-second increments.
Can You Freeze This Recipe?
You can definitely freeze leftover breadsticks. Wrap them in plastic wrap, and then place them in an airtight bag. Or just place them in 2 airtight bags. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw or defrost before reheating, or reheat straight from the freezer in a 350F oven for 10 minutes.
More Homemade Bread Recipes
It doesn’t have to be a hassle to make bread. If you enjoyed making these Olive Garden breadsticks, then try out some of my other favorite bread recipes.
- Honey Oat Bread
- Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
- French Bread Dinner Rolls
- Potato Bread with Chives
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Naan Bread
Olive Garden Breadsticks
These Olive Garden breadsticks are even better than the ones you get at the restaurant. They're soft and tender, buttery and garlicky, and super easy to make.
Ingredients
For the breadsticks
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 1/4 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the topping
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, yeast, and warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and butter. Mix until it starts to come together in a ball.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
- Form the dough into a square on your counter. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a bread stick.
- Place on a lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Bake bread sticks for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Mix together the butter and garlic salt. Brush over the cooked breadsticks.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving
Notes
- Adapted from You Made That
- Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for 3 days, or in the fridge for 5 days.
- Reheat in a 350F oven for 5 minutes, or in a microwave on 80% power in 15-second increments.
- To freeze, wrap the breadsticks in plastic wrap and then put in an airtight bag. Store for up to 4 months.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
12 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 232Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 15mgSodium 229mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 6g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
Oh wow!! I am so excited to try these over the weekend!! They are incredible!
Catalina says
I can only immagine the smell of these bread sticks! Must make!
Jessica Clark says
Is it a problem if they sit for more than 45 minutes? I want some for apps and some for the meal but am not sure if the extra time might be problematic.
Erin S says
Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town. Yes, they will continue to rise if you do not bake them right away. You could just warm them again in the oven when it is time for dinner.
Kelly G. says
My dough was way too dry and got really hard. They did not rise at all. I followed the recipe to the T
Erin S says
If they didn’t rise at all, that is usually 1 of 2 problems. 1 – your yeast is expired or was not stored properly, ideally you want it in the fridge. 2 – your water was not the right temperature. If it is too hot or too cold it will not activate the yeast. And when you say your dough was too dry, that sounds like too much flour was used. Make sure to use the spoon in method to properly measure your flour, so you don’t get too much. Hope these tips help.
Kelly says
Thank you, they actually did bake really well and they look amazing, just hard to roll