Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (2024)

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Enjoy Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe at home any day of the week. These soft and fluffy breadsticks topped with garlic butter never disappoint.

Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (1)

Your friends and family will love this copycat recipe for Olive Garden Breadsticks. It is so simple to make at home and really delicious.

These bread sticks are yummy served warm and pairs nicely with a host of dishes. Once you learn how simple it is to prepare Olive Garden breadsticks, you will be hooked. It is an all around great recipe. They are even better dipped into Crock Pot Pasta fa*gioli.

Table of Contents

  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Garlic Butter Ingredients
  • Variations Ideas
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • How to Store
  • Can Breadsticks be Frozen?
  • What to Serve with Breadsticks?
  • More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
  • Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

This copycat Olive Garden breadstick recipe is an easy recipe with simple ingredients. These simple steps will have you enjoying homemade breadsticks with all your favorite soups, pizza and Italian Recipes.

Ingredients

Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (2)
  • Warm Water
  • Active Dry Yeast
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • All Purpose Flour

Garlic Butter Ingredients

  • unsalted butter, melted
  • salt
  • garlic powder

Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and recipe.

Variations Ideas

  • Cheese. Coat the breadsticks with butter and sprinkle your favorite type of cheese on top. Some ideas include: Parmesan, Provolone, Mozzarella and more. Bake until the cheese has melted.
  • Cinnamon and Sugar. Try making sweet breadsticks with a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Omit the garlic. Spread melted butter on the breadsticks and then sprinkle with the mixture. If you like the flavor of cinnamon sugar pretzels, you will love this.

We absolutely love the traditional garlic and salt breadsticks. However, both of these options are tasty ways to change the flavor.

Both options are really simple and so delicious. Give them a try for another way to enjoy these.

Step by Step Instructions

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Step 1 – Combine the yeast. Mix warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in bowl or mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes until frothy.

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Step 2 – Mix in the olive oil. Add in the olive oil, salt and flour to yeast mixture. We recommend mixing together with stand mixer.

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Step 3 – Mix everything together. Knead the dough. Mix with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on medium low speed until smooth.

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Step 4 – Prepare a bowl for the dough. Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray.

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Step 5 – Allow to rise. Let rise until doubled in size. It should be about an hour. Then Preheat the oven. It needs to be set to 425.

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Step 6 – Punch the dough. Punch down the dough and turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

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Step 7 – Separate the dough. Divide the dough into 12 even portions, approximately 2 oz each.

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Step 8 – Shape into breadsticks. Roll out into 8-9 inch logs and set on baking sheet. Let the breadsticks rest on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. The bread needs time to rest before baking. Please do not skip this step.

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Step 9 – While dough is resting, mix together the melted butter, salt and garlic powder to make the garlic butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

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Step 10 – Top with butter. Brush immediately with garlic butter. I love to generously coat each one in this delicious topping. It is so yummy.

Recipe Tips

  • Let Dough Rise – Allow ample time for the breadsticks to rise. This step can’t be rushed or skipped.
  • Baking Breadsticks – Don’t over bake the breadsticks or they will be dry. Also, don’t under the bake or the inside will be doughy.
  • Serving Breadsticks – These breadsticks are best served warm.
  • Butter Option – Unsalted butter is best to use in this recipe. Since you are also using salt in the coating, you do not want it to be overly salty.

This recipe really is simple and easy. While there are a few steps, each one is very easy. Anyone can make this recipe.

How to Store

While these are best served warm, you can still use leftovers. Just make sure they are cool and place inside an airtight container.

When ready to enjoy, reheat for about 5 minutes in the oven set at 350. Wrap the breadsticks in foil so they don’t get too brown on top.

It does not take long to reheat so keep a close eye on them. You can also microwave the breadsticks if you prefer. They will only take a few seconds.

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Can Breadsticks be Frozen?

Yes, these breadsticks definitely can be frozen.

  • Dough. You can freeze them prior to baking. Shape them into the breadsticks but do not let them rise the second time. Place into a freezer container and freeze up to 3 months. Just thaw and let them rise at room temperature and then bake.
  • Baked. Another options is to freeze the baked breadsticks. Allow them to cool and place inside a freezer container or bag. They can be frozen up to 2 months. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Either option is a great way to freeze these breadsticks. However, if you like fresh baked breadsticks, I would freeze the dough. This will allow you to enjoy just baked bread without all of the prep work involved.

I actually like to keep some in the freezer for dinners and get togethers. It makes it super easy to serve homemade breadsticks without much effort.

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What to Serve with Breadsticks?

If you like to dip the breadsticks, try some of our favorite sauces. There are several options and pair nicely with these yummy breadsticks.

  • Marinara– This classic dipping sauce is always a crowd pleaser with breadsticks.
  • Alfredo– My favorite dipping sauce for breadsticks and this homemade recipe is so easy.
  • Pizza Sauce– I love to sprinkle cheese on top of the pizza sauce. Then bake until just melted.
  • Ranch – My kids love ranch with everything so this is very popular!

You can use store bought sauces but it is so easy to make homemade. I think they taste better as well. My family loves when I set out several ramekins of various sauces.

Everyone can choose their favorite ones. It works great as an appetizer too. Whenever we do this, everyone raves about it.

More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

  • Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe
  • Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
  • Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
  • Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe

We love to hear from you. If you make this Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (15)

Review

Pin Print

Olive Garden Breadsticks

5 from 24 votes

Enjoy Olive Garden Breadsticks at home any day of the week. These soft and fluffy breadsticks topped with garlic butter never disappoint.

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 42 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine Italian

Course Side Dish

Calories 224

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Garlic Butter Ingredients:

  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions

  • Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in bowl or mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes until frothy.

  • Add in the olive oil, salt and flour. Mix with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on medium low speed until smooth.

  • Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rise until doubled in size. It should be about an hour.

  • Preheat oven to 425.

  • Punch down the dough and turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.

  • Cut into 12 even portions, approximately 2 oz each. Roll out into 8-9 inch logs and set on baking sheet.

  • Let rest on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes.

  • While dough is resting, mix together the melted butter, salt and garlic powder to make the garlic butter.

  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

  • Brush immediately with garlic butter.

  • Serve.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 224kcal, Carbohydrates 30g, Protein 4g, Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 390mg, Potassium 49mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 175IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 8mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Olive Garden unlimited breadsticks actually unlimited? ›

The all-you-can-eat item most famously associated with the brand are its breadsticks. With the purchase of any entree, your server will refill your bread basket upon request throughout your meal free of charge.

How to make unbaked Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Bake the unbaked Olive Garden breadsticks in the preheated oven for the time specified on the package or until they are golden brown and cooked through. This typically takes around 10-12 minutes, but it's important to follow the instructions on the package for the best results.

What brand of breadsticks does Olive Garden use? ›

It's no longer a secret that Olive Garden's breadsticks aren't made in-house, but where the restaurant actually gets them from isn't common knowledge. According to Darden Restaurants — the company that owns Olive Garden and a number of other chains — Turano Baking Company is the longtime supplier of its breadsticks.

What is the breadstick rule at Olive Garden? ›

Olive Garden does have a policy on breadsticks. Typically, a server is supposed to bring one stick per person plus one extra for the first basket. After that, the rule of thumb is one breadstick per person. Here are the sneaky menu tricks that influence your order.

Will Olive Garden cut you off on breadsticks? ›

Yes, Olive Garden does offer free unlimited breadsticks and salad during your meal [1]. It is a popular part of their dining experience and is often included with the purchase of an entrée.

Is there a limit to soup and salad at Olive Garden? ›

Rumors circulate from time to time that Olive Garden will cut off patrons after a certain amount of refills on things like salad, soup, or even pasta, but there's good news for extra-hungry Olive Garden patrons: You really can eat as much as you want, as long as you can handle it.

How long to bake unbaked Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Bake at 400°F, for 12-14 minutes - or until golden brown.

Does Olive Garden make their breadsticks fresh? ›

Freshly Baked Breadsticks

Straight from the oven and ready to enjoy.

What does V mean on Olive Garden menu? ›

Olive Garden's "V" symbol on its menu indicates that a particular dish is vegetarian, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's vegan — though some items are vegan-friendly. Vegetarian cuisine foregoes meat and animal byproducts but typically includes dairy and eggs.

Where does Olive Garden get their bread sticks from? ›

— the parent company of Olive Garden — outsources the bread from Turano Baking Company. The baking company sells 8-inch long par-baked breadsticks, meaning they're partially baked before being frozen and shipped to Olive Garden locations.

What changed with Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

The famous Olive Garden breadsticks are once again sesame-free. The popular chain restaurant recently switched suppliers, so the customer favorite is made with flour – with no added sesame. Olive Garden was among several national eateries with bread products that suddenly contained sesame as of the end of 2022.

Are Olive Garden breadsticks fresh or frozen? ›

Fresh, Never Frozen

Olive Garden has an industrial-sized bread maker that cooks the dough flawlessly and keeps those golden brown beauties warm until they are served. A fresh batch of breadsticks is cooked every 15 minutes, so you're always guaranteed a hot one.

Why does Olive Garden give out free breadsticks? ›

Olive Garden does its best to make you feel welcome with some free salad and breadsticks — you get hungry and decide to order some food, and you leave the restaurant feeling satisfied while Olive Garden makes a profit. It's a win-win situation all around.

What temperature do you bake Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Combine the salt and garlic powder and sprinkle evenly over breadsticks. Serve warm.

Should I refrigerate Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Store your Olive Garden breadsticks in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Why does Olive Garden give unlimited breadsticks? ›

Olive Garden does its best to make you feel welcome with some free salad and breadsticks — you get hungry and decide to order some food, and you leave the restaurant feeling satisfied while Olive Garden makes a profit. It's a win-win situation all around.

How many breadsticks can Olive Garden give you? ›

Servers are trained to only bring two breadsticks per person per table, plus one extra, when you're greeted. After that, you have to ask for more, and even then they'll only bring you one more per person for each request, which is a company policy designed to cut down on waste.

When did Olive Garden start unlimited breadsticks? ›

In 1982, Olive Garden opened its first restaurant in Orlando, Florida, as a part of the General Mills empire, and since day one, the chain has been serving unlimited breadsticks.

How many calories are in 2 Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Olive Garden Breadstick (1 serving) contains 25g total carbs, 24g net carbs, 2.5g fat, 4g protein, and 140 calories.

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