Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

This Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks recipe is light and fluffy, delicious, and just as addicting as the real thing.  Eat them warm out of the oven with marinara sauce, alfredo sauce, or serve alongside your favorite soup or pasta – you really can’t go wrong.

This Olive Garden Breadstick recipe is simple enough for anyone to try, no matter what your comfort level with baking bread may be.  Just follow these step-by-step directions and you will be serving up freshly baked breadsticks in no time.  

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Ask anyone what their favorite thing about Olive Garden is and they’ll give you the same answer – the breadsticks!  They are warm, chewy, topped with delicious garlic butter, and impossible to stop at just one. 

This yeasted bread dough recipe couldn’t be simpler to make, especially with a stand mixer (although you can absolutely still mix the dough by hand). Pair your Olive Garden Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce, Alfredo Sauce, Herb Olive Oil Dip, or this Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo for an incredibly satisfying match made in heaven.

Olive Garden Breadsticks Ingredients

• Water – you want your water to be warm, between 95-110 degrees F to help activate the yeast.
• Yeast – this recipe calls for active dry yeast.  You can use instant, however, the method will be slightly different.  You don’t need to “proof” your yeast with the water and sugar ahead of time, and can just mix it in with the rest of your ingredients.  The time it takes for your dough to rise will also be slightly less.
• Sugar – yeast loves sugar!  It also adds a touch of sweetness to your dough.
• Flour – we use all-purpose flour and prefer unbleached.  However, either bleached or even bread flour will work.
• Salt – you will definitely notice if you forget to add salt to bread!  It’s a crucial ingredient for any bread. Not only does it season the dough, it actually helps strengthen the dough, too.
• Olive Oil – you can substitute another oil, but this will taste most like the real thing.
• Butter – melt your butter to brush on before and after baking.
• Garlic Powder & Salt – you can also purchase garlic salt, but making your own is as simple as mixing them together.  Add as much or as little as your family likes!

How to Make Olive Garden Breadsticks

1. Proof the yeast. In the bowl of a standing mixer, add the warm water, yeast and sugar. Mix gently, and let sit for 5-10 minutes until it starts to get bubbly.
2. Mix the dough. Once the yeast has started to get bubbly, add half of the flour, the salt, and the vegetable oil to the mixing bowl.   Mix on low using the dough hook until all ingredients are well combined. Add the other half of the flour in 1/2 cup at a time until it has all mixed in. The dough should look smooth and pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl, but still be slightly sticky.  If you need to, you can add a touch more flour or a touch more water to get it just right. Continue to mix on low for about 2 minutes. 
3. Let the dough rise. Turn off the mixer and cover the bowl with a kitchen towel.  Let sit for about 20-30 minutes, or until double in size.
4. Portion the dough. Once the dough has doubled in size, sprinkle a little flour onto your counter and scoop the dough out onto it.  Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces, and gently cover the pieces that you aren’t shaping with your kitchen towel. 
5. Shape the breadsticks. Lightly spray a baking sheet.  Roll each piece into a 6-7″ breadstick, and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.  (Note: If the dough isn’t stretching very well, put it down and let it rest while you roll and stretch another breadstick). Continue with all the breadsticks until they are all about the same size.  Leave about 1-1.5″ between each breadstick on your baking sheet.
6. Brush with garlic butter and let rise. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder and salt.  Brush the melted butter onto each of the breadsticks using a pastry brush, then sprinkle with the garlic salt.  Let the breadsticks rise until they are barely touching, and about double in size (another 20-30 min). 
7. Bake. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the breadsticks are lightly golden on the bottom. 
8. Serve. Remove from the oven and brush again with butter. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Olive Garden Breadstick Recipe Variations

For something a little different, try one of these tasty variations:

• Cinnamon Sugar – once these come out of the oven, sprinkle a hefty dose of cinnamon sugar (1 Tablespoon cinnamon per ½ cup granulated sugar) after brushing with butter, instead of garlic salt.  They’re the perfect sweet appetizer!
• Cheesy Garlic – sprinkle grated Parmesan or asiago cheese over the top just before baking.  You could even add a little to the dough.
• Salted – if you’re a fan of salted pretzels, try sprinkling flaked sea salt or chunkier kosher salt on just before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Italian-Inspired Recipes That We Love

• Chicken Parmesan
• Spicy Italian Meatballs
• Slow Cooker Tortellini Pasta Bake
• Pesto and Sausage Homemade Flatbread
• Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Fresh Tomato and Basil
• Easy Lasagna Soup
• Slow Cooker Lasagna
• Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
• More Bread Recipes
• More Dinner Ideas

These Olive Garden Breadsticks (copycat) are light and fluffy, topped with garlic butter and just as addicting as the real thing.  Eat them warm out of the oven dipped in marinara sauce, or serve alongside your favorite soup or pasta.