Olive Garden Breadsticks

Everyone knows that Olive Garden Breadsticks are famous for being soft, buttery, and having a great garlic flavor. This copycat recipe lets you make the restaurant favorite at home, and they’re great with pasta, soup, or just on their own. You can make tasty Olive Garden Breadsticks in your own kitchen by following these simple steps.

Equipment Needed

• Baking pan
• Bowls for mixing
• Stand mixer (not required)
• A kitchen towel
• A basting brush
• An oven

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups of warm water (110°F/45°C).
• 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• Four cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of soft, unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough by hand or with a dough hook on medium speed until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12-14 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6-7 inch long rope and place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Cover the shaped breadsticks with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes until puffy.
6. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
7. Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. While the breadsticks are baking, melt the 1/4 cup of unsalted butter and mix in the garlic powder and salt.
9. Take the breadsticks out of the oven and brush them right away with the melted butter. Warm up before serving.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

For a cheesy variation, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the breadsticks after brushing them with the butter mixture. Store any leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to refresh.

Recipe Summary

This Olive Garden Breadsticks recipe is a perfect copycat that allows you to enjoy the beloved restaurant favorite at home. Soft, buttery, and flavored with garlic, these breadsticks are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Serve them with your favorite Italian dishes or enjoy them on their own for a delicious treat.