The Ultimate Olive Garden Breadsticks — Like, Seriously!

Okay, so, who doesn’t love Olive Garden breadsticks? Like, raise your hand if you’ve ever gone just for those fluffy, buttery bites of heaven. 🙋‍♀️ I mean, they’re practically a food group at this point, right?

Main dish photo — *The finished dish — looks amazing, right?*

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

So, here’s the deal. You’ll need some basic stuff, but don’t worry; you probably have most of it already!

– 1 1/2 cups warm water (not hot, like baby bath temperature, okay?)
– 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (the magic!)
– 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for that sweetness)
– 4 cups all-purpose flour (you know, regular flour)
– 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened, and yes, it needs to be soft)
– 1 tbsp salt (don’t skip this, trust me)

And for the topping, which is the BEST part:
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted, because we’re drenching these babies)
– 1 tsp garlic powder (yum)
– 1/2 tsp salt (just a pinch!)

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Okay, picture this: I’m hosting a dinner party, and of course, I want to impress everyone, right? So I’m like, “Let’s just whip up these breadsticks.” I thought I’d casually throw some together… but OMG, you guys. They took over the whole dinner! Everyone was like, “Can we just eat these all night?” I mean, who needs a main course when you have fluffy breadsticks with garlic butter?

And there’s this one time I made them while wearing my favorite pajama pants (don’t judge, they’re comfy). I accidentally spilled flour everywhere because I got a little too excited. My cat had a field day running around like a fluffy tornado. 😂 But the breadsticks? Absolute perfection!

Another beautiful angle of the dish — *Just as gorgeous from this angle too!*

The One Trick That Changes Everything

Okay, so here’s the secret: let the dough rise in a warm place. Seriously! I once left it in the fridge (oops), and they came out like little rocks. But if it’s cozy, like inside an oven turned off or near a sunny window, they’ll puff up beautifully.

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

– Check your yeast! If it doesn’t foam after mixing it with water and sugar, toss it and start again. Fresh yeast = fluffy goodness.

– Knead it well. I know, you’re like, “Ugh, that’s work!” But seriously, 8-10 minutes of kneading makes all the difference.

– Don’t skip the second rise! I know it’s tempting to rush, but if you let those sticks puff up again, they’ll be sooo much better!

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

Okay, so here’s the hard truth—if you’re keeping leftovers (good luck with that), let them cool completely, then wrap them in foil or put them in a ziplock. You can freeze them too! Just pop them in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes when you want to devour them again.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

So if you’re into this kind of comfort food, you’ve gotta try my cheesy garlic knots or homemade pizza dough. Honestly, they’re just as satisfying as these breadsticks (but maybe not as iconic).

So, what do you think? Are you going to try making these soon, or what? Like, if you do, please send me pics because I need to see your breadstick magic! 🍞✨

Olive Garden Breadsticks

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Olive Garden Breadsticks are a fan-favorite for their soft, buttery texture and delicious garlic flavor. These homemade delights are perfect for dipping in marinara or enjoying on their own.

Author: XXXXX
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Approximately 12 breadsticks 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
2 tbsp granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
1 tbsp salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) for topping
1 tsp garlic powder for topping
1/2 tsp salt for topping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Activate the yeast by combining warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
In a large bowl, mix flour, softened butter, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and knead until smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes).
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).
Punch down the dough, divide into 12-14 pieces, and roll each into a rope about 6-7 inches long. Place on a greased baking sheet.
Cover and let rise again for 20-30 minutes until puffy.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake breadsticks for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
While baking, melt butter and mix with garlic powder and salt for topping.