Copycat Italian Restaurant Soft Garlic Breadsticks
Make soft, pillowy breadsticks at home that taste just like the popular restaurant appetizer, coated in rich garlic butter and Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 49 min
- Yield: 12 breadsticks
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Knead: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape: Punch down the risen dough gently. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a stick shape, about 8 inches long.
- Second rise: Place the breadsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch between them. Cover loosely and let them rest for 20 minutes.
- Preheat and bake: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake the breadsticks for 10 to 14 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Prepare garlic butter: While the breadsticks bake, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the minced fresh garlic and dried parsley. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Coat: Immediately after removing the breadsticks from the oven, brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle evenly with the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve: Serve warm, ideally with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For extra soft breadsticks, avoid over-kneading the dough.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, let the minced garlic steep in the melted butter for 10 minutes before brushing.
- You can brush the breadsticks with melted butter before baking for a slightly richer texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0.1
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 1.2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 15