Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!)
Few restaurant recipes have reached true cult-classic status — but Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) have earned their legendary reputation. Warm, golden, pillowy-soft, brushed with garlicky butter, and wonderfully addictive… they’re the very definition of comfort food.
What if you could enjoy these iconic breadsticks anytime you want — fresh from your oven, overflowing with aroma, and even softer and tastier than the restaurant version?
Good news: you absolutely can!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail of making Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) at home. You’ll learn the essential techniques for soft, elastic dough, the secret to perfect rises, and the key to achieving that signature buttery-garlicky finish. Whether you’re pairing them with pasta, soups, salads, or serving them as a holiday appetizer, these homemade breadsticks will become a staple in your kitchen.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe
There are countless breadstick recipes out there, but none replicate the nostalgic restaurant experience like this one. Here’s why this version stands out:
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Same irresistible softness as the Olive Garden classic
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Easier to make than you think — beginner-friendly dough
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Perfectly chewy exterior with a tender, fluffy interior
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Garlic-buttery finish that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
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Ready in under 90 minutes, including rising time
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Ideal for meal prep, freezing, or make-ahead baking
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Tastes delicious on its own, but pairs well with any Italian meal
These Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) feel luxurious yet cozy — perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings.
🥖 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is the classic, no-fail formula for achieving the most authentic Olive Garden flavor and texture.
For the Breadsticks
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1 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
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2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
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2 tbsp granulated sugar
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1 tbsp salt
For the Garlic Butter Topping
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp salt
Equipment
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Baking sheet
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Mixing bowls
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Stand mixer (optional)
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Kitchen towel
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Pastry/basting brush
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Parchment paper
👩🍳 Step-By-Step Instructions
Below is the full breakdown for creating irresistible Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) at home.
1. Activate the Yeast
This step ensures your dough rises perfectly.
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Add warm water, yeast, and sugar to a small bowl.
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Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes, or until foamy.
💡 If the mixture doesn’t foam, the yeast may be expired or the water temp was incorrect.
2. Make the Dough
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In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine:
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flour
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softened butter
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salt
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Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
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Knead on medium speed (or by hand) for 8–10 minutes, until soft, smooth, and elastic.
You want the dough to feel slightly tacky but not sticky.
3. First Rise (Proofing)
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Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl.
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Cover with a kitchen towel.
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Let rise 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
This is where the magic happens — the gluten relaxes and the dough becomes ultra-soft.
4. Shape the Breadsticks
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Punch down the dough to release excess air.
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Divide into 12–14 pieces.
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Roll each piece into a rope about 6–7 inches long.
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Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
Tip: If you want perfectly even breadsticks, weigh each dough portion on a digital scale.
5. Second Rise
Cover the shaped dough and let rise for 20–30 minutes, until slightly puffy.
This second proofing ensures the breadsticks bake up light and airy, not dense.
6. Preheat the Oven
Set to 400°F (200°C) while the breadsticks finish rising.
7. Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Avoid overbaking — Olive Garden breadsticks are known for their soft, pale golden finish.
8. Add the Garlic Butter
Once out of the oven:
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Mix melted butter with garlic powder and salt.
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Brush generously over the warm breadsticks.
This is the defining moment!
You’ll instantly smell that unmistakable Olive Garden aroma.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
These Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) go with almost anything. Here are some delicious pairings:
Perfect With Pasta
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Fettuccine Alfredo
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Chicken Parmesan
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Spaghetti Bolognese
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Serve With Soups
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Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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Zuppa Toscana
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Minestrone
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Tomato Basil Soup
With Salads
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Classic Italian salad
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Caesar salad
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Antipasto salad
As Appetizers
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Dip into marinara
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Garlic butter dipping sauce
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Alfredo dip
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Pesto sauce
These breadsticks truly elevate any meal to restaurant-quality comfort.
⭐ Pro Tips for Perfect Olive Garden Breadsticks
To make sure your breadsticks turn out soft, fluffy, and flawless, here are the most important expert tips:
1. Use the Right Water Temperature
Yeast thrives at 110°F (warm bath temperature).
Too hot → kills yeast
Too cold → dough won’t rise
2. Knead Long Enough
8–10 minutes of kneading develops gluten, giving you elasticity and softness.
3. Don’t Skip the Second Rise
This short rise creates the iconic Olive Garden texture — pillowy and airy.
4. Don’t Overbake
Bake until just lightly golden.
Overbaking = tough breadsticks.
5. Brush Butter Twice
Once out of the oven and again when serving.
The second brushing adds restaurant-style shine and flavor.
6. Add Towel Steam
Cover warm breadsticks with a kitchen towel for 5 minutes to trap steam.
Result: ultra-soft tops.
7. Flavor Boost Options
Want spicy?
Add red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
Want cheesy?
Sprinkle Parmesan right after brushing with butter.
🔄 Variations
Turn these Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) into endless flavor combinations:
Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks
Brush with garlic butter + sprinkle grated Parmesan.
Cheesy Stuffed Breadsticks
Wrap dough around string cheese before baking.
Herb Breadsticks
Add Italian seasoning, parsley, basil, or rosemary.
Everything Bagel Breadsticks
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with everything seasoning.
Sweet Cinnamon Breadsticks
Brush with melted butter + cinnamon sugar mixture.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
These breadsticks store beautifully — perfect for meal prep!
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked breadsticks for up to 3 months.
Wrap individually for easy reheating.
Reheat Like Olive Garden
Microwave:
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Wrap in damp paper towel
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Heat 10–15 seconds
Oven:
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350°F for 5 minutes
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Brush with fresh garlic butter
They taste freshly baked every time.
PrintOlive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!)
These Olive Garden–style Breadsticks are famous for their buttery softness, warm golden color, and irresistible garlic seasoning. They’re surprisingly simple to make at home, and the result is just as fluffy, tender, and addictive as the restaurant version. Serve them with pasta, soup, or salad — or enjoy them on their own fresh from the oven!
Ingredients
For the Breadsticks
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1 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
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2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
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2 tbsp granulated sugar
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1 tbsp salt
For the Topping
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp salt
Equipment
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Baking sheet
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Mixing bowls
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Stand mixer (optional)
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Kitchen towel
-
Pastry/basting brush
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Oven
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar.
Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy and activated.
In a large bowl (or stand mixer), combine flour, softened butter, and salt.
Pour in the yeast mixture and knead 8–10 minutes until smooth, soft, and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
Punch down the dough and divide into 12–14 pieces.
Roll each into a 6–7 inch rope and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes until puffy.
Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake breadsticks 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden.
Mix melted butter with garlic powder and salt.
Brush generously over warm breadsticks immediately out of the oven.
Serve warm for the full Olive Garden experience!
Notes
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Warm water matters: Must be around 110°F — too hot will kill the yeast, too cool won’t activate it.
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Don’t skip the second rise: This ensures the breadsticks stay fluffy instead of dense.
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Brush again before serving: For even more flavor, add a light second brushing of garlic butter.
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For extra softness: Cover the warm breadsticks with a towel for 5 minutes after baking.
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Want spicy breadsticks? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter topping.
Nutrition (Per Breadstick)
Approximately:
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Calories: 140
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Carbs: 22g
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Protein: 3g
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Fat: 4g
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Sodium: 290mg
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Sugar: 2g
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Fiber: 1g
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use instant yeast?
Yes! Instant yeast can be mixed straight into the flour. Skip the activation step.
2. Why are my breadsticks dense?
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Dough wasn’t kneaded long enough
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Water was too hot or too cold
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Second rise was skipped or too short
3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — this recipe scales perfectly for parties and events.
4. Can I shape these into knots or twists?
Yes! The dough is versatile and works for garlic knots, twists, or rolls.
5. How do I get them extra shiny?
Brush with butter immediately after baking and again right before serving.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There’s something magical about Olive Garden Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Garlic-Perfect!) — the warmth, the softness, the aroma, and that irresistible garlicky glaze. Making them at home is not only easy but incredibly rewarding. You get full control over flavor, texture, and freshness, and the results are often even better than the restaurant.
These breadsticks elevate any meal, bring joy to family dinners, and make ordinary days feel like special occasions. Whether you’re serving pasta, soup, salad, or simply enjoying them on their own, these buttery breadsticks will quickly become one of your most requested recipes.
If you’ve been craving authentic Olive Garden flavor, this homemade version delivers it in every warm, golden, soft, buttery bite.
