Description
These Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks are soft, flavorful, and loaded with garlic butter, Parmesan, and melted mozzarella cheese. The homemade yeast dough is tender with a slight chew, baked to golden perfection on a pizza stone for a crisp crust edge. Perfect as a snack or accompaniment to your favorite Italian dishes, these breadsticks are easy to make and irresistible with marinara or ranch dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup warm water (divided: 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
Topping Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine 1/2 cup warm water with the sugar and active dry yeast. Stir to mix and let it rest for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add the remaining 1/4 cup warm water, olive oil, salt, and white vinegar to the yeast mixture. Begin mixing at medium-low speed, gradually adding 1 1/2 to 2 cups of flour. Knead for several minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky but not sticking to a clean fingertip.
- Proof Dough: Cover the dough with a dry towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: About 15 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or an upside-down cookie sheet inside to heat up.
- Shape Dough: Gently punch down the risen dough and place it on a large piece of parchment paper on your counter. Use your hands or a rolling pin to spread the dough into a rectangle about 1/3 inch thick.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix melted salted butter with minced garlic. Spread this garlic butter mixture evenly over the dough, reaching all the edges. Sprinkle the Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Transfer the dough on the parchment paper directly onto the preheated pizza stone or upside-down cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes until the breadsticks are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm with your choice of dipping sauces such as marinara or ranch dressing.
Notes
- Use warm water (about 110°F) to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Adjust flour amount to get the right dough consistency; it should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- If you do not have a pizza stone, use an upside-down cookie sheet preheated in the oven as an alternative.
- Allowing the dough to rest and rise properly is essential for soft, airy breadsticks.
- Garlic butter can be adjusted according to taste for more or less garlic flavor.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the breadsticks for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve immediately for best texture, though leftovers can be reheated in the oven briefly.
