Description
This homemade breadsticks recipe yields soft, golden, and flavorful breadsticks perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side to your favorite Italian dishes. Made from scratch using simple ingredients such as all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, olive oil, and a touch of garlic powder, these breadsticks are deliciously tender on the inside with a golden crust. They are easy to prepare, requiring two rises to develop perfect texture and flavor, then baked to golden perfection and brushed with melted butter for added richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For Brushing
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- Optional: herbs, parmesan, or garlic salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it rest for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and optional garlic powder. Add the frothy yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead Until Smooth: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Breadsticks: Gently punch down the dough to release the air. Divide into even portions and roll each piece into long, thin sticks. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced apart to allow expansion.
- Second Rise: Loosely cover the shaped breadsticks with a cloth and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until they become puffy and slightly expanded.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the tops of the breadsticks with melted butter or olive oil for a golden crust. Bake in the center of the oven for 12-15 minutes, until they turn a beautiful golden brown.
- Final Touch: Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush them again with melted butter. Optionally, sprinkle with herbs, parmesan cheese, or garlic salt for extra flavor. Serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure your water is warm (around 110°F / 43°C), not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For softer breadsticks, use melted butter for brushing; for a crispier crust, use olive oil.
- Customize your breadsticks by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough or as toppings.
- Allowing the dough to rise sufficiently is key to soft and fluffy breadsticks.
- Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: homemade breadsticks, breadsticks recipe, soft breadsticks, Italian breadsticks, easy breadsticks, yeast breadsticks
