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Get ready to enjoy the ultimate comfort-food appetizer: Homemade Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks.
Soft, buttery, loaded with melty mozzarella, and infused with rich garlic flavor, these breadsticks are everything you crave in a warm, cheesy snack. They’re easy to make, perfect for sharing, and pair beautifully with pasta, soup, and dipping sauces. Whether you’re cooking for family night, a party, or simply treating yourself, these delicious breadsticks never disappoint.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil

For the Garlic Butter & Topping

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
2. Stir gently and let rest for 5 minutes until frothy.

2. Make the Dough

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
4. Create a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
5. Stir until the dough begins to form.
6. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
7. Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.

3. Prepare the Garlic Butter

8. Mix melted butter with minced garlic and set aside.

4. Shape the Breadsticks

9. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
10. Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle, about ½ inch thick.
11. Brush the dough generously with garlic butter.
12. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top, leaving a slight border.
13. Roll tightly from the long side into a log.
14. Slice into 1-inch breadsticks and place spaced apart on the baking sheet.

5. Bake

15. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
16. Brush with any remaining garlic butter.
17. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Serve warm with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce!

Pro Tips

• Use freshly shredded mozzarella for the best melt.
• If dough feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time—avoid over-flouring.
• For softer breadsticks, brush with butter immediately after baking.
• Let dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for the best texture.

Why This Recipe Works

• Achieves the perfect blend of soft, pillowy bread and crispy cheesy edges.
• Simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
• Versatile enough for snacks, appetizers, or side dishes.
• Great for kids and adults — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Substitutions & Variations

Cheese Options

• Cheddar
• Gouda
• Monterey Jack
• Italian cheese blend

Flavor Boosters

• Add red pepper flakes for a spicy twist
• Mix herbs like basil, oregano, or rosemary into the garlic butter
• Add sun-dried tomatoes or cooked bacon before rolling

Flour Substitution

• You can swap half the flour with whole wheat, but the breadsticks will be denser.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Guide

Make Ahead

• Prepare the dough and refrigerate up to 24 hours after its first rise.

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature.

Freezing

• Freeze baked breadsticks for up to 2 months.
• Freeze unbaked logs for fresh-baked breadsticks later.

Reheating

• Wrap breadsticks in foil and warm at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

Serving Ideas

• Perfect with marinara, ranch, Alfredo, or pizza sauce
• Serve alongside pasta, soup, or salad
• Pair with lasagna, spaghetti, or baked chicken
• Slice and use as a cheesy garlic sandwich base

Nutrition (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: 295
• Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Protein: 12g
• Sodium: 402mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use instant yeast?

Yes. Instant yeast works well and may reduce rise time slightly.

2. Can I freeze the breadsticks?

Yes. Freeze baked or unbaked breadsticks for quick snacks later.

3. Can I substitute whole wheat flour?

Yes, but expect a denser, heartier texture.

4. Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 24 hours.

These Homemade Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks are everything a cheesy appetizer should be—soft, flavorful, buttery, and loaded with melted cheese. Whether you serve them at a party or enjoy them fresh from the oven with your favorite dipping sauce, they’re guaranteed to vanish fast. Easy to prepare and even easier to love, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Homemade Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks – Soft, Buttery, Cheesy Appetizer

Easy cheesy garlic breadsticks baked to golden perfection. Soft, garlicky, buttery, and filled with melty cheese—perfect for dipping and sharing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 12 breadsticks

Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Dough

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Butter & Topping

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Activate the Yeast

  In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.

  Stir gently and let rest for 5 minutes until frothy.
• Make the Dough

  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

  Create a well in the center, pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

  Stir until the dough begins to form.

  Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
• Prepare the Garlic Butter

  Mix melted butter with minced garlic and set aside.
• Shape the Breadsticks

  Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  Punch down the dough and roll it into a large rectangle, about ½ inch thick.

  Brush the dough generously with garlic butter.

  Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top, leaving a slight border.

  Roll tightly from the long side into a log.

  Slice into 1-inch breadsticks and place spaced apart on the baking sheet.
• Bake

  Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

  Brush with any remaining garlic butter.

  Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

  Serve warm with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce!

Notes

• Always allow dough to rise fully for the best texture.
• Adjust baking time depending on oven differences.
• Add more garlic for a stronger flavor or reduce for mild breadsticks.

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