This recipe for Cheesy Breadsticks is made with a hint of garlic and oodles of melty cheese. They are perfectly chewy, so delicious, and a cinch to throw together for a quick appetizer or side dish any night of the week.
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Easy Cheese Breadsticks Recipe
This recipe makes the easiest homemade cheese breadsticks in no time. Who needs delivery when you can make your own in about an hour, and for a fraction of the price?
Our Cheese Breadstick recipe is a simple pizza crust recipe that’s generously brushed with butter, sprinkled with garlic salt and loaded with mozzarella cheese.
If you’re looking to make these even quicker, you can purchase pre-made pizza dough. Many grocery stores now sell fresh rounds of pre-made dough in the deli section. At that point, you only need to shape, sprinkle, and bake!
Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks Video Tutorial
Ingredients in Breadsticks With Cheese
- Flour - we use all-purpose flour but you can also use bread flour.
- Salt - salt is important for the flavor and for the structure of any bread, so don’t forget to add it!
- Water - warm water is best because it helps to wake up your yeast. It should be between 95-110 degrees F.
- Yeast - we use active dry yeast in this recipe, which needs proof. (check out our Easy Bread Recipe recipe for more info on activating yeast). If you use instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step and just mix the dough, knead and then let rise.
- Sugar - we use regular granulated sugar, but you could also substitute honey.
- Oil - olive oil or other cooking oil you’d like to use. It’s best to use something with little flavors, like avocado oil.
- Mozzarella Cheese - purchase this pre-shredded to save yourself an extra step. Either whole milk or part skim will work great.
- Garlic Salt - you can purchase garlic salt or else mix together equal parts of salt and garlic powder to make your own!
- Butter - this should be melted so it’s simple to brush over your dough.
How to Make This Cheesy Breadsticks Recipe
Breadstick Dough
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, or stand mixer, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast and mix well. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
- Once your yeast has proofed, add the olive oil, salt and about 1 ½ cups of flour. Mix with a paddle or dough hook until all the ingredients are completely combined.
- Add in the rest of the flour, about a ¼ cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl.
- Mix on low speed for another 1-2 minutes, then cover and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes, or until about doubled in size (or wrap and store in the fridge overnight).
Cheese Bread Stick Recipe
- Shape. Prepare your baking sheet by spraying with non-stick spray. You can also line your baking sheet with parchment paper if you would prefer. Lightly grease your hands, Lightly grease your hands, then gently pull the dough out of the bowl and place in the baking sheet. Pull and press the dough until it covers the bottom of a large baking sheet (or two 9" x 13" baking pans).The edges will be rounded - that’s fine!
- Add cheese and seasoning. Brush melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle with the garlic salt. Sprinkle your shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, leaving a ½" border.
- Bake. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Once baked, let cool for 10 minutes and then cut into 1 ½" stripes.
- Enjoy plain, or with your favorite dip!
Cheese Breadstick Variations
- Try different cheeses. You can try any combination of shredded or grated cheese that you’d like.
- Add toppings like pepperoni, black olives, sliced green onions, artichoke hearts, sliced jalapeños, bacon, etc.
- Use Italian seasoning, or another herb mixture, in addition to the garlic salt.
- Cinnamon sugar. For a dessert variation, brush the Dough with melted butter and sprinkle with a hefty dose of cinnamon sugar before baking. Once baked, you can eat as is, or drizzle with icing.
- Add a little spice by tossing in some sliced jalapenos before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Once your dough has risen completely, transfer it to a freezer bag and press gently to remove any air from the bag, and flatten the dough slightly. It can remain frozen for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to use your dough, allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge. The next day, remove the dough from the cooler and let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes, then use to make your Cheesy Breadsticks or any other type of pizza
Everything! Seriously, if I could eat these every night, I probably would.
This cheese bread sticks recipe is perfect served with a side of Marinara Sauce, Southwest Ranch Dressing, Alfredo Sauce, or your favorite pizza sauce. To really double up on cheesy goodness, try a cheese dip like Cheddar Queso or Pepper Jack Queso. Yum!
You can also think of this cheesy breadstick as a substitute for a roll or garlic bread, and serve it alongside your favorite pasta dishes, like Homemade Lasagna and Garlic Parmesan Orzo.
Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks Recipe
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup Water warm (95-110 degrees F)
- 2 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil or any cooking oil
Breadsticks Toppings
- 3 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Salt or half garlic powder, half salt
- 1½ cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
How to Make Dough for Breadsticks
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, or stand mixer, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast and mix well. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
- Once your yeast has proofed, add the olive oil, salt and about 1 ½ cups of flour. Using a paddle or dough hook, mix until all the ingredients are completely combined. Add in the rest of the flour, about a ¼ cup at a time until the dough pulls away from the edges of the bowl.
- Mix on low speed for another 1-2 minutes, then cover and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes, or until about doubled in size (or wrap and store in the fridge overnight).
How to Shape and Bake Breadsticks
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease a baking sheet with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
- Lightly grease your hands. Gently pull the dough out of the bowl and place in the baking sheet. Gently pull and press the dough until it covers the bottom of a large baking sheet (or two 9" x 13" baking pans).
- Brush the melted butter on the dough, then lightly sprinkle with garlic salt. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the entire rectangle of dough, leaving a ½" border.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bottom and the top are golden brown.
- Let cool for about 10 minutes, then cut into 1 ½" strips with a pizza cutter and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Recipes With Pizza Dough
- Garlic Bread
- Christmas Tree Pull Apart Rolls
- French Bread Pizza
- Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza
- Grilled Pizza Dough
- French Bread Recipes
- Garlic Knot Rolls
- Caramel Roll Recipe
- Nutella Bread
- Jalapeno Cheddar Bread Recipe
- More Best Bread Recipes
- More Best Side Dishes
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Our Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks use a simple pizza dough recipe that’s generously brushed with butter, sprinkled with garlic salt and loaded with mozzarella cheese. They are perfectly chewy, so delicious and a breeze to throw together for a quick and easy appetizer any night of the week.
Audrey
Needed to find a quick, yummy side dish for a kettle of homemade soup on a rainy day! So glad I found this recipe because it was the perfect accompaniment.
I used shredded cheddar on half with a sprinkle of parsley. Both mozzarella and cheddar were delish!
Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Jill Baird
Soup and breadsticks, the perfect combo for sure! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Joann
Do leftovers need to be refrigerated?
Jill Baird
Yes, it's best to store them in a covered container or ziplock bag.
Mel
These were SO SO good! We dipped and dipped in our homemade tomato soup. Absolutely yummy and so easy to make. Thanks again for another awesome recipe!
Beth
These look amazing! I am also in love with your variation idea of making this recipe into a dessert recipe with cinnamon and sugar! Delish!