Olive Garden Breadsticks

Soft Olive Garden Breadsticks is an easy copycat recipe made from scratch. They are fluffy, chewy, and taste better than the restaurant! No one can resist these fresh mouthwatering homemade breadsticks.

It is true that you can get unlimited breadsticks at Olive Garden, but the good news is that you can have them whenever you want when they’re homemade using this simple recipe.

Olive Garden Breadsticks are a perfect side for a bowl of soup or your favorite chili, think Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup, and don’t forget about Olive Garden’s copycat salad! These breadsticks are savory and topped with tasty garlic butter just like OG.

Key Ingredients

• Honey: Honey is added to sweeten the breadsticks a little bit, and to help “feed” or activate the yeast for fluffy breadsticks.
• Yeast: If you’re using rapid yeast, simply combine it with the other ingredients and proceed to work with the dough. However, if dry yeast is being used, it must first be activated with water and sugar until it begins to bubble, and then the mixture can be mixed with the flour.
• Flour: Either use all-purpose flour or bread flour.
• Olive Oil: I like to add olive oil or melted butter to the dough, adds a great flavor and fluffy texture.
• Salt, garlic granules, and butter: Use melted butter and brushed over warm breadsticks along with garlic granules and salt.

How To Make Olive Garden Breadsticks

1. Combine water with sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Set aside and leave the yeast to activate and bubble for 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, mix flour with olive oil, salt, and the yeast mixture. Knead it out on a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until you get a smooth ball of dough.
3. Divide the dough ball into 12 portions, and shape each into a ball before rolling it out into a rope.
4. Place each rope onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 390°F/200°C just 10 minutes before the 1 hour above ends. Bake the breadsticks for 15 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, and while they’re still warm, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt (mix the garlic with salt in a small bowl then sprinkle the mixture). Serve warm.

Tips For Making Olive Garden Breadsticks

• Use a stand mixer with a dough hook for easy kneading! This recipe works if you knead it by hand, but you can save the arm workout for later and just use a mixer.
• For a shiny finish, brush the tops with an egg wash before baking. You could also do a black tea concentrate, and brush the dough before baking.

What To Serve With

I love serving the breadsticks with this creamy Vegan Pumpkin Soup or this flavorful Curried Cauliflower Soup. They also go perfectly with Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Instant Pot Lentil Soup. If you’re not having soup, try them with Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan topped with delicious marinara and melted cheese. Simply an amazing combo!

If you’re looking for an appetizer, these can be enjoyed with Hummus or this fun Roasted Sweet Potato Hummus. They are great dipped in creamy tzatziki.

Recommended Tools

• Measuring cups and spoons – a kitchen essential!
• Kitchenaid mixer with a dough attachment.
• 2 baker’s half sheets – These are the ones that I use and love! (insert amazon link for half sheet by Nordicware)
• Silpat silicone mat (insert link so size is suitable for half sheet)
• Clean kitchen towel to cover the dough to rise.

I hope that you give this recipe a try and love it as much as I do! If you make it, don’t forget to leave a review with a star rating.