These Olive Garden Breadsticks are soft, buttery, and infused with garlic flavor, making them an irresistible addition to any meal. This easy copycat recipe allows you to recreate the restaurant favorite at home, perfect for serving with pasta, soup, or enjoying on their own. The warm, freshly baked breadsticks are brushed with a delicious garlic butter topping that brings all the flavors together.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Breadsticks:

  • 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast

  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 tbsp salt

• For the Topping:

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp salt

Directions

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough by hand or with a dough hook on medium speed until smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes).

3. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape the Breadsticks: Punch down the dough, divide it into 12-14 equal pieces, and roll each into a 6-7 inch rope. Place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Second Rise: Cover the shaped breadsticks with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes until puffy.

6. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

7. Bake the Breadsticks: Bake the breadsticks for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Prepare the Topping: While baking, melt butter and mix in garlic powder and salt.

9. Brush and Serve: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush them with the garlic butter mixture. Serve warm.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 150

• Fat: 7g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Protein: 3g

• Sodium: 350mg

• Fiber: 1g

Why Choose Olive Garden Breadsticks?

There’s something incredibly satisfying about the combination of soft, fluffy breadsticks with a generous layer of garlic butter. These Olive Garden Breadsticks offer that same irresistible flavor you love at the restaurant but with the added bonus of being homemade. The recipe is simple and the ingredients are pantry staples, making it easy to whip up a batch in just under two hours, including rising time. The result is a batch of breadsticks that are warm, soft, and buttery with a delightful garlic flavor that perfectly complements any meal.

These breadsticks are versatile—they can be served with pasta dishes, soups, salads, or even eaten as a snack with some dipping sauce. The warm, freshly baked breadsticks are brushed with a buttery garlic topping that gives them that signature taste, making them a great addition to any meal.

Key Ingredients and Flavor Profile

Let’s break down the key ingredients that make these breadsticks so irresistible:

• Active Dry Yeast: The yeast is responsible for making the dough rise, creating the soft, airy texture of the breadsticks. It’s essential to activate the yeast with warm water and sugar to ensure the breadsticks rise properly.

• Flour: All-purpose flour is used to give the breadsticks their structure and texture. It forms the dough that is kneaded into a smooth, elastic consistency.

• Butter: Unsalted butter is used both in the dough and in the garlic butter topping. The butter in the dough helps give the breadsticks their softness, while the butter in the topping adds richness and a delicious garlic flavor.

• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is used in the topping to infuse the breadsticks with that signature garlic flavor that’s a key part of what makes these breadsticks so delicious.

• Salt and Sugar: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the breadsticks, while sugar helps activate the yeast and balance out the savory flavors.

• Water: Warm water is used to activate the yeast and bring the dough together.

How to Make Olive Garden Breadsticks

Making Olive Garden Breadsticks at home is easier than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to recreating this restaurant favorite:

1. Activate the Yeast:
   In a small bowl, combine warm water (110°F/45°C), yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.

2. Prepare the Dough:
   In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture to the bowl and knead the dough by hand or with a dough hook on medium speed. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, you may need to knead the dough on a floured surface until it comes together.

3. First Rise:
   Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

4. Shape the Breadsticks:
   After the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 12-14 equal pieces, then roll each piece into a 6-7 inch rope. Place the shaped breadsticks onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Second Rise:
   Cover the breadsticks with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes until they become puffy.

6. Preheat the Oven:
   While the breadsticks are rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

7. Bake the Breadsticks:
   Once the second rise is complete, bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through.

8. Prepare the Topping:
   While the breadsticks are baking, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter in a small bowl. Stir in garlic powder and salt to create the garlic butter topping.

9. Brush with Garlic Butter:
   As soon as the breadsticks come out of the oven, immediately brush them with the garlic butter mixture. The warm breadsticks will absorb the garlic butter, making them extra flavorful.

10. Serve Warm:
    Serve the breadsticks warm with your favorite meal, such as pasta, soup, or a fresh salad. They’re also delicious on their own or with dipping sauces.

Serving Suggestions

These Olive Garden Breadsticks are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of meals:

• With Pasta: Serve these breadsticks alongside classic Italian pasta dishes, such as spaghetti, lasagna, or fettuccine Alfredo. They’re perfect for soaking up the sauce!

• With Soup: These breadsticks also pair wonderfully with hearty soups like tomato soup, minestrone, or chicken noodle soup.

• With Salad: Add these breadsticks to a light meal, such as a fresh Caesar salad or Greek salad, for a complete and satisfying dinner.

• As a Snack: These breadsticks are great for snacking, especially when served with a dipping sauce like marinara or cheese sauce.

Nutritional Profile of Olive Garden Breadsticks

Each serving of Olive Garden Breadsticks contains approximately 150 calories, making them a relatively light but satisfying addition to any meal. Here’s the breakdown of the macronutrients:

• Fat: Each breadstick contains 7 grams of fat, primarily from the butter used in both the dough and topping. This gives the breadsticks a rich, tender texture.

• Carbohydrates: The breadsticks provide 20 grams of carbohydrates, most of which come from the flour, making them a good source of energy.

• Protein: Each breadstick has 3 grams of protein, providing a small but essential amount of this macronutrient.

• Sodium: With 350 mg of sodium, the breadsticks are fairly moderate in salt content, though you can adjust the seasoning based on your preference.

• Fiber: Each breadstick provides 1 gram of fiber, which is important for digestion.

Customization Options

While this recipe is already delicious, there are plenty of ways to customize these breadsticks to suit your tastes:

• Add Herbs: For added flavor, you can mix fresh rosemary, thyme, or parsley into the dough or sprinkle them on top of the breadsticks along with the garlic butter.

• Cheese: Sprinkle Parmesan or mozzarella on top of the breadsticks before baking for an extra cheesy twist.

• Spicy Kick: Add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture if you want to give the breadsticks a spicy kick.

• Gluten-Free Version: To make these breadsticks gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Olive Garden Breadsticks are the perfect soft and buttery treat to accompany any meal. With a simple recipe that’s easy to follow, you can recreate this restaurant favorite at home, and the garlic butter topping makes them even more irresistible. Whether you’re serving them with pasta, soup, or just enjoying them on their own, these breadsticks are sure to become a staple in your kitchen.