Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (Soft, Buttery, and Ridiculously Simple)
These 5-ingredient copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are soft, buttery, and impossibly simple to make. With just basic pantry ingredients and a little patience, you'll have restaurant-quality breadsticks that'll make every meal feel special. No special equipment needed—just your hands, a bowl, and an oven.
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Equipment
- Airfryer Oven
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Warm Water (110°F)
- 1 ½ teaspoon Instant Yeast
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 2 tablespoon Melted Butter
- 3 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Topping
- 2 tablespoon Melted Butter
- 2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Make the yeast mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water, 1½ teaspoons instant yeast, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Let sit for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes slightly foamy.
- Form the dough: Add 2 tablespoons melted butter, 3 cups flour, and 1 teaspoon salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, rough-looking dough forms with no dry flour remaining.
- Knead and first rise: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for 1½-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape the breadsticks: Punch down the risen dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6-7 inch log shape and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Second rise: Cover breadsticks with a damp towel and let rise for 1-2 hours until puffy and nearly doubled in size. Preheat oven to 425°F during the last 15 minutes of rising.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top and the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- Add garlic butter: While breadsticks bake, mix together 2 tablespoons melted butter, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt. Immediately brush the hot breadsticks with this mixture when they come out of the oven.
Notes
Pro tip: The dough should feel slightly sticky after kneading but not stick to your hands. If too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore softness.
Make ahead: Shaped breadsticks can be covered and refrigerated overnight for the second rise. Bring to room temperature before baking, about 30 minutes.
Substitutions: Honey or sugar can replace maple syrup in equal amounts. For richer flavor, substitute 2 tablespoons of the flour with semolina flour.
Nutrition
Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 323mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 117IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
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