Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
In a little over an hour, anyone can make them.
Let’s just be real here for a second — if you’re heading to an Olive Garden, the thing you’re most excited about are the breadsticks. One — They’re hot and perfectly fluffy and golden. Two — They’re coated in butter (and very liberally, I might add) and topped with the perfect kiss of garlic salt. And Three — They’re UNLIMITED. What a dream! But what if (like me) you don’t live near an Olive Garden or you just want the convenience of having them anytime you like? Well then, you make your own, of course! Here’s our copycat version and they’re just like the real thing.
Maybe you thought the only good news here was that you get to have Olive Garden breadsticks in the comfort of your own home whenever you want them, but I have other good news too — these are easy enough to make that anyone can do it. I know bread making can be daunting but breadsticks are the perfect place to start.
All-purpose flour works fine here and you just need a single packet of active dry yeast. (Make sure you don’t grab instant or RapidRise as those will change the rising time.) Other than that, it’s just sugar, salt, water, a little olive oil and then the butter and garlic salt for topping. So simple.
If you have a stand mixer, you’ll want to mix your ingredients together until you have a dough that’s nice and smooth. It’s totally doable to knead by hand, it’s just a little more work. But it’s nice, meditative work.
Let the dough rise in a bowl that you’ve greased with oil and covered with a kitchen towel (or plastic wrap) until it’s doubled in size. This should take about an hour but let the dough — and not a timer — be your guide. If your kitchen is cooler, it will take longer, and that’s totally okay.
Divide the dough into twelve equal portions and form them into breadsticks. Will they look as uniform and flawless as they do at the restaurant? No! But you’re not a machine! And they’ll taste just as good. After a quick 15 minute rest and a 12 (or so) minute trip in the oven, they’re ready for the best part:
Brush ’em with melted butter that’s been seasoned with garlic salt. That’s what makes them positively irresistible. Enjoy!
Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For topping:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Preparation
- In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until frothy, 5 minutes.
- Add olive oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Mix with dough hook on medium-low. Add additional flour 1/4 cup at a time until dough pulls away from the sides and is only slightly stick. Continue mixing until smooth, 6-8 minutes. (If you don't have a stand mixer, knead by hand until smooth, sprinkling with flour as needed.)
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 425°F.
- Punch dough down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a log about 8-9 inches and set on baking sheet.
- Let dough rest again for 15 minutes.
- Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes.
- While breadsticks bake, melt butter and mix in garlic salt. Brush breadsticks immediately with garlic butter. Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Recipe Critic.