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olive garden breadsticks recipe

Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 6 minutes
Servings: 12 Breadsticks
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: International
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/3 cups  warm water around 110°F
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons  active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons  sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups  bread flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons  salt
  • 3 tablespoons  unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon  olive oil for greasing the bowl

For the garlic butter topping

  • 4 tablespoons   unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon  garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon  dried parsley or 1 teaspoon fresh, finely chopped

Method
 

  1. Combine warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Stir gently and leave for 5–10 minutes until foamy. If no foam forms, start over with fresh yeast.
  2. Add remaining sugar, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Add bread flour one cup at a time, stirring between additions. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook on medium for 6–7 minutes.
  3. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turn once to coat, and cover with plastic wrap. Leave in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  4. Punch dough down and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a log about 8 inches long. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets 2 inches apart. Cover loosely and rest for 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
  5.  Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake for 14–16 minutes until pale golden on top. Do not overbake — breadsticks should stay soft, not turn dark or crusty.
  6. Mix melted butter with garlic powder, salt, and parsley. Brush generously over breadsticks immediately as they come out of the oven. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Water temperature is key — too hot kills the yeast, too cold keeps it dormant. Aim for 110°F
  • Brush butter on immediately out of the oven so it absorbs into the warm bread
  • Make-ahead option: refrigerate dough overnight after first knead for better flavor
  • Freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months — reheat from frozen at 350°F for 12–15 minutes wrapped in foil
  • Add a fine grating of parmesan over the garlic butter topping for extra flavor