Homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (2024)

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October 19, 2016 (last updated Sep 16, 2021) by Amber Brady2

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This copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks recipe tastes just like the restaurant and can be easily made at home.

I have promised you guys a copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks recipe, and I’m finally delivering! You know how much I love Olive Garden — I havethe BEST copycat recipe for Olive Garden Salad Dressing(Yes, I know you can buy it from the store, but hello! High fructose corn syrup. Not in my recipe!) along with pretty dang good imitations of their Zuppa Toscana, Chicken Gnocchi Soup, (altered) Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo, and Black Tie Mousse Cake. I’m practically your one stop shop for Olive Garden copycat recipes.

I’ll be honest. I’ve been avoiding this this Olive Garden Breadsticks recipebecause I don’t particularly lovemaking yeast bread. I actually haven’t made bread in a LONG time because I work with Rhodes Bake-N-Serv and I have a freezer full of frozen doughthat I just have to thaw to use. It was super tempting to use Rhodes rolls for this recipe, but I got over my break from yeast recipes and got back in the kitchen to bring you these breadsticks.

The result was this fantastic, EASY dough recipe that I almost dare say is foolproof (if you don’t kill your yeast). It’s smooth and elastic, which makes the perfect breadsticks. It was a dream to work with. The secret is to start with a paddle attachment, and then switch over to a hook attachment when making the dough. It doesn’t stick as bad that way, you actually get dough rolling around your bowl the way it’s supposed to, which in turnmakes it knead the doughproperlyto form the gluten.

After making the dough all you have to do is focus on shaping the breadsticks just right and I have a strategy for that. If you want the perfect shaped breadsticks, dump your dough out onto the counter and roll it into one big log. Then divide that log into the number of breadsticks you want. This recipe makes a minimum of 16 LONGbreadsticks— probably 24regular size Olive Garden Breadsticks. Just cut them thinner.

Next,I like to roll the center of the dough in my hands to get it started. Then I place the doughon a dry clean surface and roll back and forth with both of my hands starting in the center, and moving myhands outward. Lift your hands and place them back inthe center of the breadstick and repeat (roll back and forth moving your hands outward) until you have reached a breadstick that is about 3/4-inchthick. I have a couple pictures below to help you with my explanation.

Place the breadstickson a silicone lined baking sheet (or lightly grease a pan with cooking spray) about an inch apart. Cover the breadsticks with a towel (or lightly greased plastic wrap), and let rise until double in size. If you make yours the width of the sheet pan like I did, they will be LONG. Just FYI. If you want them Olive Garden size, do roughly half the width of the sheet pan — about 6 inches long.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. TIP —Lightly spray the tops of the breadsticks with cooking spray before you bake them so they brown quicker and don’t dry out. Next comes the magical part. The topping. It’s literally butter, salt, and garlic powder. So simple, yet so perfectly seasoned. Slather it on there and youhave just made homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you! Be sure to print or pin this recipe for later!

Homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (10)

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Yield: 16 to 24 breadsticks

This copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks recipe tastes just like the restaurant and can be easily made at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cup warm water (110-115˚F)
  • 2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast (one 1/4oz packet)
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp butter, room temperature, and cut into pieces
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all purpose flour

Topping:

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, stir the yeast and sugar in the warm water and then wait until yeast dissolves/blooms (about 5 minutes).
  2. Add the salt, butter, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix gently to combine.
  3. With the mixer on its lowest speed, slowly add the remaining flour until the dough is smooth.
  4. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough for 10 minutes.
  5. Place dough into a large bowl that has been greased with cooking spray or a light layer of olive oil. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
  6. After an hour, punch dough down and remove from bowl onto a clean counter. Roll dough into one big log. Divide that log into the number of breadsticks you want. This recipe makes a minimum of 16 LONG breadsticks — probably 24 regular size Olive Garden Breadsticks. Just cut them thinner.
  7. Pick up one piece of dough and roll the center of the dough in between your hands to get it started. Then place the dough on the counter and roll it back and forth with both hands starting in the center, and moving your hands outward, until you have reached a breadstick that is about ¾-inch thick. Repeat with all pieces of dough. (Cover the dough with a towel or greased plastic wrap while you work to keep it from drying out.)
  8. Place the breadsticks on a silicone lined baking sheet (or lightly greased pan) about an inch apart. Cover the breadsticks with a towel (or lightly greased plastic wrap), and let rise until double in size; approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. (TIP -- Lightly spray the tops of the breadsticks with cooking spray before you bake them so they brown quicker and don't dry out.)
  10. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave. Add the salt and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly. Brush the tops of hot breadsticks immediately from the oven. Enjoy warm. Store leftovers in a plastic zip-top bag.

Notes

Recipe altered from The Curvy Carrot

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16
Amount Per Serving:Unsaturated Fat: 0g

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    2 Comments on “Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe”

  1. Mary Cook Reply

    Can you just make half this recipe or freeze the dough? Just two of us and don’t want stale bread.

    • Amber | Dessert Now Dinner Later Reply

      Definitely half the recipe then.

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Hi, I’m Amber! I am a culinary graduate and dessert lover! This is where I share my favorite sweet and savory recipes alongside my knowledge and skills as a culinary graduate. I hope you find something you like!

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Homemade Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

How long to bake uncooked Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Roll each piece of dough into an 8-inch log. Place the dough logs on your parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown.

How do you keep Olive Garden breadsticks soft? ›

How to Store and Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks. Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight bag. They'll last on the counter for 3 days, or in the fridge for 5 days. Reheat them for 5 minutes in a 350F oven, or in the microwave on 80% power in 15-second increments.

How many breadsticks does Olive Garden go through in one day? ›

Fewer guests eat none than those who eat 6–8 but very few who eat none let their servers know not to bring them so they get them anyway and there is waste in other ways as well. Based on how many people I wait on and how many servers and takeout business, I'm guessing that a busy day is 1,500 breadsticks.

How unlimited are Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

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.

What changed with Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Olive Garden has recently changed its supplier, eliminating sesame flour from its breadsticks and ensuring a sesame-free processing line. This is a crucial step for the 1.6 million Americans allergic to sesame and the 33 million with life-threatening food allergies.

Does Olive Garden use frozen food? ›

While Olive Garden does make a real effort to serve freshly prepared foods whenever possible, some menu items are indeed frozen.

Why are Olive Garden's breadsticks so good? ›

According to another former staff member at Olive Garden, the garlic salt used to season the breadsticks is not a storebought brand, but instead a special blend concocted by the restaurant itself. This results in a buttery, well-seasoned masterpiece that many consider the highlight of the Olive Garden experience.

Do you have to refrigerate leftover 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.

Can you freeze Olive Garden unbaked breadsticks? ›

Can you freeze Olive Garden Breadsticks? Yes!

Are Olive Garden breadsticks baked fresh? ›

An Olive Garden Favorite. Available Freshly-Baked or Bake-At-Home. Add an extra dozen or half dozen breadsticks to your online order.

What oil does Olive Garden use? ›

We use highly refined canola oil or highly refined soy oil in our fryers. Based on information from our suppliers, these oils are highly refined and do not include any soy protein.

Why are my breadsticks so dense? ›

Lack of gas and fermentation that makes the dough aerate results in dense and heavy bread.

How do you reheat breadsticks so it's like fresh after it got cold? ›

Things You Should Know. Heat your leftover breadsticks in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 350 °F (177 °C) for the best results. You can also use a microwave or air fryer to revive leftover breadsticks.

Do you have to ask for breadsticks at Olive Garden? ›

The truth is, you can't simply stroll into an Olive Garden, sit down, and declare, "I'll have the free, unlimited breadsticks only, please." They are only free with the purchase of a meal, and there are some backend rules and regulations that shape the famous perk.

Can you really buy anything from Olive Garden? ›

You Can Buy Just About Anything Inside an Olive Garden – Including Its Cheese Graters. If you've seen the viral TikTok video, you already know you can buy anything that isn't bolted down at one of the chain's locations.

What happened to Olive Garden's 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.

Can you put an Olive Garden breadstick bag in the oven? ›

Sometimes, the leftover breadsticks will come home with you in a bag provided by Olive Garden. This not only comes with instructions, but it is also the perfect vessel for reheating in the oven. If you don't have it, simply use aluminum foil.

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