Description
These Olive Garden-style breadsticks are soft, buttery, and perfectly seasoned with garlic salt and parsley. They’re easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients and have a delicate, fluffy texture with a golden crust. Perfect as an appetizer or side to any Italian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Topping Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt with parsley flakes
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine initial ingredients: Add salt, vegetable oil, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until all ingredients are combined into a wet dough.
- Add remaining flour: Gradually add the rest of the flour, about ¼ cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and feels soft but slightly sticky, ensuring the right consistency.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, incorporating flour as needed to prevent sticking, until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes until doubled in size.
- Divide dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions for uniform breadsticks.
- Shape breadsticks: Roll each portion into a 9-inch long rope and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped breadsticks with a towel and allow them to rise again for 20-30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven: While the breadsticks are rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Bake breadsticks: Bake the raised breadsticks in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Brush with butter and season: As soon as the breadsticks come out of the oven, brush them generously with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley flakes for that classic Olive Garden flavor.
Notes
- Use warm water to activate the yeast properly, around 105-115°F (40-46°C) for best results.
- Make sure not to add too much flour during kneading; the dough should remain slightly sticky for a soft texture.
- If you want extra flavor, you can add a bit of grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to refresh softness.
- For a whole wheat or gluten-free version, adjust flour types accordingly but note that texture will vary.
