Why You’ll Love Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks Recipe

They taste like take‑out, but you can make them at home.
The garlic butter and melted cheese combo creates savory, comforting flavor.
With a simple dough you’ll find yourself baking fresh breadsticks whenever you crave something warm and cheesy.
They’re versatile: enjoy them as a snack, serve with soup or salad, or pair with marinara or ranch for dipping.
The rise and bake time is reasonable, giving you fresh breadsticks in about an hour and a half.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Dough:

active dry yeast
granulated sugar
warm water
olive oil
salt
white vinegar
bread flour (or all‑purpose flour)
Topping:
salted butter
garlic, minced
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a large bowl (or in a stand mixer), combine half of the warm water, the sugar, and the yeast. Stir and let rest for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
Add the remaining water, olive oil, salt and vinegar. Gradually add the flour and knead until you have a soft, elastic dough (slightly sticky but manageable). Cover the bowl with a dry towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 475 °F (about 245 °C), placing a pizza stone or an upside‑down cookie sheet inside to heat.
Gently punch down the dough. Place a sheet of parchment paper on the counter and use your hands (or a rolling pin) to spread the dough into a rectangle about ⅓ inch thick.
Mix the melted butter with the minced garlic in a small bowl. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough, going all the way to the edges. Sprinkle the Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Transfer the dough (still on the parchment paper) onto the hot pizza stone or cookie sheet. Bake for about 8‑12 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Remove from the oven, cut into strips if desired, and serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields about 14 servings.

Prep time: ~15 minutes
Rise time: ~1 hour
Cook time: ~10 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour 25 minutes

Variations

Swap out the cheeses: try cheddar, Monterey jack, or a blend of your favorites.
Add flavor to the butter: mix in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
Make them sweet: instead of garlic butter and cheese, brush melted butter, sprinkle cinnamon sugar (½ stick melted butter with ½ cup sugar mixed with 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon) for cinnamon‑sugar breadsticks.
Use the dough for other purposes: this same dough can be stretched to make a pizza crust—so you can make one batch of dough and enjoy both pizza and breadsticks.

Storage/Reheating

To store: Let breadsticks cool completely, then wrap in foil or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat: Preheat oven to ~350 °F (175 °C), place breadsticks on a baking sheet and warm for 5‑10 minutes until heated through and the cheese is gooey again.
To freeze: Make the dough, spray it with non‑stick cooking spray, place into a freezer‑safe bag removing as much air as possible, and freeze for 2‑3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring it to room temperature (~30 minutes) before forming into breadsticks and baking.

FAQs

How do I know when the dough has risen enough?

After the initial mix and knead, the dough should double in size (or nearly double) in the bowl when covered and placed in a warm spot for the hour.

Can I use all‑purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes — the recipe allows for bread flour or all‑purpose flour. The texture may be slightly different (bread flour gives a bit more chew), but it works fine.

What if my oven doesn’t reach 475 °F?

If your oven only goes up to ~450 °F (230 °C), you can bake at that temperature. It may take an extra minute or two. Also ensure you have a hot baking surface (pizza stone or cookie sheet) to get good bottom heat.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes — you can make the dough 3‑4 hours ahead and store it in the refrigerator to rise instead of at room temperature.

Is it necessary to use a pizza stone or can I use a baking sheet?

You can use an upside‑down cookie sheet preheated in the oven if you don’t have a pizza stone. The important part is a hot surface so the bottom cooks quickly.

How thick should I roll out the dough?

Spread the dough into a rectangle about ⅓ inch thick. If it’s much thicker, bake time will increase and the texture may be denser.

What dipping sauces go well with these breadsticks?

Marinara sauce is classic, and ranch dressing also pairs nicely. You could also try garlic‑infused butter or a spicy tomato dip.

Can I add toppings like pepperoni or veggies?

Absolutely — after spreading the garlic butter you could add toppings like chopped pepperoni, sliced olives, diced bell pepper, or even cooked sausage before the cheese goes on. Then bake as directed.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers so the crust stays crisp?

Oven reheating at ~350 °F on a baking sheet preserves crispness better than the microwave. The microwave can make the crust soggy.

Can I make these breadsticks gluten‑free?

This recipe uses yeast dough with wheat flour, so adapting it to gluten‑free will require a gluten‑free yeast dough substitute. You’d need a gluten‑free flour blend and adjust for rising time/texture.

Conclusion

These cheesy garlic breadsticks are a delicious, cozy option for a snack, side, or party food. With homemade dough, garlic butter, and melted cheese, they hit all the right comfort‑food notes. With the variations and storage tips included, you’ll have a reliable recipe to return to again and again.