Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks
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If you’re looking for a perfect (and easy) side to pasta night, these shortcut Garlic Breadsticks are just the thing. Just like the soft, garlicky breadsticks from your favorite pizza chain, they’re incredibly simple to make using store-bought pizza dough. Ditch the delivery charge, whip up a batch at home, and enjoy them hot from the oven!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Breadsticks with Pizza Dough
These soft and incredibly garlicky breadsticks are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
Trust me when I tell you, you’re not the only one who craves those restaurant-style breadsticks, especially the kind that are buttery, garlicky, and pair well with just about anything. I crave breadsticks all the time!
Instead of making yeast dough at home, I rely on a fantastic shortcut: store-bought fresh refrigerated pizza dough. The recipe is simple, but my experience taught me that the dough needs a little extra love to achieve that soft, pillowy texture we all love.
While the package suggests letting it rest for just 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, I always let my refrigerated dough sit on the counter for around 2 to 3 hours. This extended rest is the key. It allows the gluten to fully relax, which makes the dough incredibly easy to stretch and shape without it fighting back or tearing.
It also allows for a little extra rise, resulting in breadsticks that are significantly softer and less chewy than they would be otherwise. This simple trick takes these homemade breadsticks from good to absolutely perfect!
Ingredient Notes for Breadsticks with Pizza Dough
- Olive Oil | Used both in the seasoning mixture and as a finishing drizzle for richness!
- Italian Seasoning | A blend of dried herbs (like oregano, basil, and marjoram) provides a classic herb-forward flavor.
- Granulated Garlic | Provides a concentrated garlic flavor that sinks into the dough while baking. You can use garlic powder in a pinch.
- Black Pepper | I like to add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper to just a little bite.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese | The Parmesan cheese melts and creates a crust while baking, and I like to add a bit more on top before serving!
- Refrigerated Pizza Dough | The essential shortcut for quick and easy breadsticks. It needs to be at room temperature for the best results!
- Marinara Sauce | For dipping, you can use marinara sauce or pizza sauce if desired!
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheesy breadsticks: For extra cheesy breadsticks, sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough before baking.
- For some spice: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the oil and seasoning mixture for a subtle heat.
- Butter swap: For a buttery flavor, swap the olive oil for an equal amount of melted butter in the seasoning mix and for the final drizzle.
How to Make Cheesy Breadsticks
These are the easiest breadsticks you’ll ever make! Just let the dough come to room temperature, shape it, season it, and bake it!
BRING DOUGH TO ROOM TEMP. Remove the refrigerated pizza dough from the package and place it on a dish covered with plastic wrap for 30 – 60 minutes at room temperature.
SHAPE THE DOUGH. Then, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Shape the dough directly on the parchment paper until it is ½-inch thick (either in a circle or rectangle, depending on the pan you use).
MAKE THE SEASONING MIXTURE. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the Italian seasoning, garlic, and pepper.
BRUSH DOUGH WITH SEASONING. Brush this mixture evenly over the pizza dough. Sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese.
SLICE INTO BREADSTICKS. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough down the middle, then cut into strips about 1-inch thick.
BAKE. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
SPRINKLE WITH MORE PARM & ENJOY. Remove from the oven and drizzle the breadsticks with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage and Reheating Tips
- To store: Store leftover baked breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: The best way to revive them is in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside. A microwave will make them soft and a bit chewy, which is fine if you don’t mind the texture!
- To freeze: You can easily freeze the baked and cooled breadsticks! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-top freezer bag or container. They will last for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and then reheat in the oven as directed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! Pizza dough is excellent for making breadsticks. In fact, using store-bought pizza dough is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make breadsticks right at home. The basic dough is very similar to a bread dough, and its composition is ideal for shaping into strips.
Absolutely! Just ensure your homemade dough is at room temperature and has had its final rise before shaping. The cooking time should remain the same as it does with store-bought dough.
This is usually due to one of two things: the dough didn’t rest long enough, or you over-kneaded/stretched it too vigorously. Make sure to let the refrigerated dough rest for 2-3 hours, then gently stretch it into a circle or rectangle.
Looking for More Pizza Night Side Dishes?
Try something fresh like my crisp butter lettuce salad, or add some satisfying crunch with a batch of oven baked onion rings. For a hearty salad option, my chicken caesar salad pairs wonderfully with any cheesy pie!
What to Serve With Garlic Cheese Breadsticks
These pizza dough breadsticks are super versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Dips: The classic choice is a good-quality marinara or pizza sauce. You can also serve them with olive oil bread dip, white queso dip, or even just melted butter!
- Pizzas: Of course, these are a great side dish for pizza night! Try them with a cast iron pan pizza or a chicken pizza with barbecue sauce.
- Soups & Stews: I absolutely love serving these breadsticks with Instant Pot chicken soup or sausage and tortellini soup.
- Pasta Dishes: Serve them as the side dish to a cherry tomato pasta or creamy marry me chicken pasta!
- Salads: They pair well with lighter meals like a grilled salmon salad or a harvest salad!
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Garlic Breadsticks with Pizza Dough
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough or homemade at room temperature
- Marinara sauce for dipping optional
Instructions
- Remove the refrigerated pizza dough from the package and place it on a dish covered with plastic wrap for 30 – 60 minutes at room temperature.
- Then, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Shape the dough directly on the parchment paper until it is ½-inch thick (either in a circle or rectangle, depending on the pan you use)
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the Italian seasoning, garlic, and pepper. Brush this mixture evenly over the pizza dough. Sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese.
- Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough down the middle, then cut into strips about 1-inch thick. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle the bread sticks with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
- Cheesy breadsticks: For extra cheesy breadsticks, sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the dough before baking.
- For some spice: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the oil and seasoning mixture for a subtle heat.
- Butter swap: For a buttery flavor, swap the olive oil for an equal amount of melted butter in the seasoning mix and for the final drizzle.
- Give the dough an extended rest. While the package suggests 30 to 60 minutes, aim for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature. This will help achieve a soft, airy, and not-too-chewy texture by allowing the gluten to fully relax. If you don’t have the time, up to 1 hour will still work!
- Use parchment paper. I recommend lining your baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking! It makes cleanup a breeze, too!
- Slice before baking. Cutting the dough into strips before baking ensures they bake up as separate, perfect breadsticks. Use a sharp pizza cutter for clean, quick slices (about 1-inch thick). If they stick together after baking, you can cut them again down the same lines.
- Drizzle again after baking. The final drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, added immediately after they come out of the oven, add extra flavor and moisture!
- To store: Store leftover baked breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To reheat: The best way to revive them is in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside. A microwave will make them soft and a bit chewy, which is fine if you don’t mind the texture!
- To freeze: You can easily freeze the baked and cooled breadsticks! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-top freezer bag or container. They will last for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and then reheat in the oven as directed above.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
