Ultimate Homemade Breadsticks: Olive Garden & Pizza Hut Style
Discover the delectable taste of homemade breadsticks inspired by the famous Olive Garden and Pizza Hut recipes. Using a bread machine for perfectly kneaded dough, these breadsticks can be tailored to your preference: enjoy them simply brushed with garlic-infused butter and kosher salt for that classic Olive Garden flavor, or elevate your breadsticks by adding a savory blend of Parmesan cheese, herbs, and a touch of black pepper inspired by Pizza Hut. For an extra cheesy treat, transform your breadsticks into Cheesesticks with gooey mozzarella on top, baked to golden perfection under the broiler. Perfect for serving with pasta dishes or enjoying as a tasty snack, this recipe yields 16 sumptuous sticks that will impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1 1/3 cups (Warm)
Light butter
4 teaspoons (Softened)
Flour
4 cups (Equal parts white and wheat flour recommended)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (Granulated)
Salt
2 teaspoons (Kosher for garnishing)
Yeast
2 teaspoons (Active dry or instant)
Kosher salt
to taste (For sprinkling after baking)
Garlic powder
to taste (For sprinkling after baking)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (For Pizza Hut-style breadsticks)
Ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (For Pizza Hut-style breadsticks)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (Dried)
Shredded mozzarella
to taste (For Cheesesticks)
Instructions
1
In your bread machine, combine the water, softened light butter, flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Set the machine to the dough setting and let it mix and knead the ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
2
Once the dough is ready, gently remove it from the bread machine and place it on a floured surface. Roll the dough into a log shape and cut it into 16 equal pieces (you may get about 12 if you would prefer larger sticks).
3
Roll each piece into a long, cigar-shaped stick and arrange them evenly on a greased baking sheet.
4
Cover the sticks with a clean kitchen towel and allow them to rise in a warm area for about 45 minutes, or until they have noticeably puffed up.
5
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Using a pastry brush, generously butter each risen stick to give them a rich, buttery flavor. Sprinkle the tops of the sticks with kosher salt to taste.
6
Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.
7
Once removed from the oven, brush the sticks with remaining melted butter and sprinkle with another layer of kosher salt and garlic powder for an extra kick, especially if you're going for the Olive Garden style.
8
For Pizza Hut-style breadsticks, mix together 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the warm breadsticks.
9
For Cheesesticks, add a layer of shredded mozzarella on top of the breadsticks and place under the broiler for 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starts to turn golden. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
10
Serve warm and enjoy your homemade breadsticks with marinara sauce, Alfredo dip, or on their own!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two restaurant styles this breadstick recipe replicates?
This recipe is designed to mimic the flavors of both Olive Garden and Pizza Hut style breadsticks.
How many breadsticks does this recipe yield?
The recipe yields 16 standard-sized sticks, though you can make 12 larger sticks if preferred.
Is a bread machine required for this recipe?
Yes, this recipe specifically uses a bread machine on the dough setting to mix and knead the ingredients into a smooth dough.
What type of flour is recommended for the best results?
The recipe recommends using equal parts white and wheat flour.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking the breadsticks?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long do the breadsticks need to bake?
They should be baked for 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown.
How long should the dough rise before baking?
After shaping, the sticks should rise in a warm area for about 45 minutes until they have noticeably puffed up.
How do I achieve the Olive Garden style flavor?
Brush the baked sticks with melted butter and sprinkle them with kosher salt and garlic powder.
What is the topping for the Pizza Hut-style breadsticks?
Mix 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, then sprinkle over the warm sticks.
How do I turn these into Cheesesticks?
Add a layer of shredded mozzarella on top of the breadsticks and place them under the broiler for 1-3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
What temperature should the water be for the bread machine?
The recipe calls for 1 1/3 cups of warm water.
Should the butter be melted or softened for the dough?
The butter added to the bread machine should be softened light butter.
What type of salt is used for garnishing?
Kosher salt is used for sprinkling on top of the sticks.
What type of yeast is required?
You can use 2 teaspoons of either active dry or instant yeast.
How should the dough be shaped?
Roll the dough into a log, cut into equal pieces, and then roll each piece into a long, cigar-shaped stick.
What should the breadsticks be served with?
They are perfect with marinara sauce, Alfredo dip, or alongside pasta dishes.
Does the dough contain sugar?
Yes, the dough includes 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
When should I brush the sticks with butter?
Brush them once before they go into the oven and again after they are removed from the oven.
How do I prevent the cheesesticks from burning under the broiler?
Keep a close eye on them constantly as they only need 1 to 3 minutes to turn golden.
What spices are in the Italian seasoning used for the Pizza Hut style?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
How much Parmesan is needed for the Pizza Hut variation?
You will need 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What kind of surface should I use to roll out the dough?
Place the dough on a floured surface to prevent sticking while rolling and cutting.
Is black pepper used in the standard recipe?
Black pepper is primarily used for the Pizza Hut-style seasoning blend.
How do I prepare the baking sheet?
The breadsticks should be arranged evenly on a greased baking sheet.
What is the total number of ingredients listed for all variations?
There are 12 ingredients including those for the optional toppings.
Can I use regular butter instead of light butter?
While the recipe specifies light butter, you can generally substitute with regular butter.
What is the first step of the instructions?
Combine water, light butter, flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in the bread machine.
How do I know when the dough is ready to be removed from the machine?
Remove it once the machine has completed the dough setting cycle and the ingredients have formed a smooth dough.
What provides the extra kick for the Olive Garden style?
The combination of the second butter brush, kosher salt, and garlic powder after baking provides the extra flavor kick.
Should the breadsticks be covered while rising?
Yes, cover them with a clean kitchen towel during the 45-minute rise period.