Crispy Italian Grissini Breadsticks
These delightful Italian grissini are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping or snacking. Inspired by a cherished recipe found in a bread machine book gifted by my mother, these breadsticks are made with high-quality ingredients, including unbleached white bread flour and extra virgin olive oil, ensuring an authentic taste. With optional toppings like poppy seeds and coarse sea salt, you can customize each stick to your preference. Whether served at a dinner party, alongside a charcuterie board, or enjoyed on their own, these handmade breadsticks will impress your guests and elevate any mealtime.
N/A
Servings
53
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
200 ml (Room temperature)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (Plus extra for brushing)
Unbleached white bread flour
3 cups (Sifted)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (Fine sea salt)
Easy-blend dried yeast
2 1/2 teaspoons (Instant)
Poppy seeds
To taste (Optional, for coating)
Coarse sea salt
To taste (Optional, for coating)
Instructions
1
Begin by pouring 200 ml of water and 3 tablespoons of olive oil into your bread machine pan.
2
Next, carefully sprinkle 3 cups of unbleached white bread flour over the liquid, ensuring it is fully covered.
3
In one corner of the pan, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Make a small dent in the flour (but not all the way to the liquid) to place 2 1/2 teaspoons of easy-blend dried yeast.
4
Select the basic dough setting on your bread machine and start the program.
5
While the dough is mixing, lightly oil two or more baking sheets and set them aside.
6
Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently knock it back to remove excess air.
7
Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 9x8 inches in size.
8
Cut the rectangle into three 8-inch long strips, then cut each strip widthways into ten pieces.
9
For each piece, roll and stretch it to about 12 inches in length for a crispy texture; if you prefer a thicker, breadier structure, make them shorter and thicker. Roll the dough between your hands for best results.
10
If you are using poppy seeds or coarse sea salt, scatter some on your work surface and roll the dough pieces in it halfway through the rolling process to help them adhere properly. Be cautious with the salt, as it can become overpowering quickly.
11
Place the rolled grissini onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each piece. Brush them lightly with a bit of olive oil.
12
Cover the baking sheets with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes.
13
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
14
Bake the grissini for 12 to 15 minutes, or longer if you made thicker sticks, until they are golden brown. Remember to turn them halfway through baking for even coloring.
15
Once golden, transfer the grissini to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Nutrition Information
1.3g
Fat
8g
Carbs
1.3g
Protein
0.3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Italian grissini?
Grissini are traditional Italian breadsticks known for being thin, crispy, and flavorful.
What is the texture of these breadsticks?
These breadsticks are designed to be delightful and crispy, though they can be made thicker for a breadier structure.
What flour is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for three cups of sifted unbleached white bread flour.
How much water is needed for the dough?
You should use 200 ml of room temperature water.
What kind of oil is used in the breadsticks?
Extra virgin olive oil is used both in the dough and for brushing the sticks before baking.
What type of yeast is best for this bread machine recipe?
The recipe specifies 2 1/2 teaspoons of easy-blend dried instant yeast.
How much salt goes into the dough mixture?
The dough requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of fine sea salt.
How should ingredients be layered in the bread machine?
Start with the water and olive oil, then cover with flour, and place salt and yeast on top, ensuring the yeast does not touch the liquid.
Where should the yeast be placed?
Make a small dent in the flour to place the yeast, ensuring it does not reach the liquid layer.
Which bread machine setting should I select?
Select the basic dough setting to prepare the grissini dough.
How do I prepare the baking sheets?
Lightly oil two or more baking sheets and set them aside while the dough is mixing.
What happens after the dough cycle finishes?
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently knock it back to remove excess air.
To what size should I roll the dough initially?
Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 9x8 inches in size.
How do I cut the dough into individual pieces?
Cut the rectangle into three 8-inch long strips, then cut each strip widthways into ten pieces.
How many breadsticks does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 30 handmade breadsticks.
How long should each breadstick be for a crispy result?
Roll and stretch each piece to about 12 inches in length for a crispy texture.
Can I make these breadsticks thicker?
Yes, if you prefer a breadier structure, make the sticks shorter and thicker during the rolling process.
How do I apply poppy seed toppings?
Scatter poppy seeds on your work surface and roll the dough pieces in them halfway through the stretching process.
Should I be careful with the sea salt topping?
Yes, use coarse sea salt cautiously as it can become overpowering very quickly.
Do I need to brush the dough with oil?
Yes, brush the rolled grissini lightly with a bit of olive oil before the second rise.
How long do the shaped sticks rise before baking?
Let them rise in a warm area for 10 to 15 minutes.
What should I cover the dough with during the second rise?
Cover the baking sheets with plastic wrap while the breadsticks are rising.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How long is the baking time?
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or longer for thicker sticks, until they are golden brown.
Why should I turn the breadsticks during baking?
Turn them halfway through the baking process to ensure even coloring on all sides.
How should the grissini be cooled?
Once golden, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
What is the calorie count per breadstick?
Each breadstick contains approximately 53 calories.
How much protein is in each breadstick?
There is 1.3g of protein per serving.
Are these breadsticks good for entertaining?
Yes, they are perfect for dinner parties, charcuterie boards, or as a standalone snack.
What inspired this specific recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a bread machine book gifted by the creator's mother.