Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Steps

1. 1

   Stir the warm water, yeast, and sugar together. Set the mixture aside for 10 minutes.

   Start 10-minute timer
2. 2

   Stir the olive oil into the yeast mixture.

3. 3

   Add about 3 cups of bread flour and the salt. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

4. 4

   Turn the dough onto a clean counter and knead until smooth and stretchy. Use flour on the work surface sparingly, adding only as needed while kneading.

5. 5

   Lightly grease a bowl with oil. Put the dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat it. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let it sit for about 10–20 minutes.

   Start 20-minute timer
6. 6

   While the dough rests, preheat the oven to 375°F (190 °C) (190°C (375 °F)).

7. 7

   Scoop out the dough and cut it in half. Work with one half at a time: cut each half in half, then divide those pieces in half again, yielding 16 pieces total.

8. 8

   Gently pull each piece slightly, then roll it into a breadstick shape. Arrange the breadsticks on baking trays.

9. 9

   Mix a little egg with water and brush the mixture over all the breadsticks.

10. 10

    Bake at 375°F (190 °C) (190°C (375 °F)) for 5 minutes.

    Start 5-minute timer
11. 11

    While the breadsticks bake, melt half a stick of salted butter. Stir in a generous amount of garlic powder and a small sprinkle of dried parsley, or use Italian seasoning instead.

12. 12

    Remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush them with the garlic butter.

13. 13

    Return the breadsticks to the oven and bake for 5 minutes more. The creator reports baking them about 8 minutes longer as well; check for doneness since the source does not explain the difference in baking time.

    Start 5-minute timer
14. 14

    Brush the baked breadsticks with more garlic butter, then serve.