Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

This Olive Garden breadsticks recipe is a simple way to have the ever-popular soft, garlicky, and crave-worthy breadsticks anytime you want!

Easy Breadsticks From Scratch

Pillowy-soft with an irresistible taste, this Olive Garden breadsticks recipe is made with the perfect blend of flour, yeast, water, sugar and salt for a mouthwatering copycat version made right in your own kitchen! Baked to golden perfection then brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with garlic salt, it’s easy to recreate a restaurant experience at home with this recipe!

For years our family’s been going to the Olive Garden to order thechicken gnocchi soupor thepasta e fa*gioliwith a side of Olive Garden salad with their signature Olive Garden dressing! Truth be told, we’d go just for those breadsticks!

I’ve been wanting to make copycat Olive Garden breadsticks for a while now that were a little closer to the original than myeasy breadsticks recipe. I say I’ve accomplished my mission because these taste even better than the original!

How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

They’re simple enough to whip up when the cravings come calling and believe me, they will. Having a basket of these copycat Olive Garden breadsticks is a surefire way to be full before dinner and not be the least bit sorry about it!

1. Proof the yeast. Mix the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast and let it sit and foam up for 5 minutes. For details onhow to proof yeast,I’ve got you covered.
2. Knead the dough. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all-purpose flour and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture along with the olive oil and start kneading. Use your hand or a dough hook, it’s up to you.
3. Let it rise. Add 1/2 cup of flour at a time until the dough is smooth. It should no longer be sticky. Cover the bowl with saran wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for 15-30 minutes.
4. Roll into logs. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 16 pieces, rolling them into 8-10″ logs. Place them on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Allow them to rest for 10 minutes.
5. In the oven, they go! Bake for 10 minutes then remove them from the oven to brush with the melted butter, garlic powder, and garlic salt mixture. Bake for 3-5 more minutes until lightly golden brown on the bottom.
6. Finish off with another brushing of that delicious garlic butter!

Recipe Tips

• Bread recipes rely on properly measuring flour! Use the spoon and level method for best results.
• Do not use hot water to proof the yeast. Somewhere between hot and room temperature. In other words, warm!
• As always test your yeast first. If it doesn’t foam up, it’s no longer active. Get rid of it and use fresh yeast.
• Bread flour also works, as long as the flour you use is unbleached. It just makes for a better flavor.
• To get the tops of the breadsticks a little browner, you can bake them a few extra minutes, or move them to the top rack for the last couple of minutes.

Ways to Eat Them

These breadsticks are best enjoyed warm on the first day. Serve warm with a side ofmarinara saucefor dipping. Sometimes a creamy garlic sauce, white pizza sauce orranch dressingis also called for!

Garlicky breadsticks are amazing on the side ofsoupsandsalads, but if you’re all about the carbs, you’ve got to have them onpizzaorpastanight!

Favorite Recipes to Serve With

• Spaghetti and Meatballs – Juicy meatballs simmered in marinara.
• Zuppa Toscana – Another Olive Garden favorite!
• Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo – Creamy fettuccini noodles with seasoned chicken.
• Italian Salad – A quick and easy salad with flavorful ingredients.
• Baked Chicken Parmesan – An easy Italian family favorite!

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