Go Back
Homemade cheesy breadsticks fresh from the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet with golden bubbly mozzarella and garlic butter edges

Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks

Soft, buttery, and loaded with melty mozzarella. Made from a simple scratch dough brushed with garlicky butter and baked until golden. Perfect for pizza night, soups, pasta, or dipping into your favorite sauce.
Print Recipe Save to Pinterest
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 170
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2.25 tsp active dry yeast 1 standard packet
  • 1 cup warm water about 110 degrees F, tested with a thermometer
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, not scooped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella freshly shredded from a block preferred
  • 0.25 cup shredded cheddar or Gruyere optional, for added flavor
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 2 garlic cloves minced and stirred into melted butter
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes or flaky salt optional topping

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pastry brush
  • Kitchen thermometer
  • Clean kitchen towel

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the surface is foamy and bubbly. If nothing happens after 10 minutes, start fresh with a new packet of yeast.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back slightly when pressed.
  3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 45 to 60 minutes until doubled in size. Do not rush this step.
  4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch the dough down gently, then roll it out into a rectangle roughly 9 by 13 inches on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Stir the minced garlic into the melted butter. Brush the garlic butter generously and evenly over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, then top with shredded mozzarella and optional cheddar or Gruyere.
  6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and golden at the edges. Brush with additional melted butter straight out of the oven if desired. Slice into strips and serve warm with marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli.

Notes

Use store-bought pizza dough as a shortcut. For make-ahead, refrigerate kneaded dough overnight and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling. Freeze baked breadsticks wrapped tightly in foil for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.