Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

I loved Olive Garden growing up. I spent many-a-birthdays ordering breadsticks and chicken parm with my friends.

As I got older though, I realized all of this over-the-top expensive Italian food could be made at home... For half the price.

The one thing I realized could be easily made at home were these breadsticks. Hot from the oven and slathered in melted butter, salt, and garlic powder. And the best part? You don't have to keep asking for basket after basket... No one will judge you for eating 3 in one sitting. Also, double the recipe and freeze some for later use. Delicious!

For the Breadsticks:
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons warm water (110 degrees)
1 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Topping:
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar until the yeast has dissolved. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Fit mixer with the paddle attachment and add in the remaining 1 Tablespoon plus 2 1/2 teaspoons of granulated sugar, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 3/4 teaspoon salt and the vegetable oil. Blend mixture on medium speed until well combined.
Switch attachment to the dough hook and add in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour. Knead mixture on low speed until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl (you may add up to an additional 1/4 cup of flour if dough is still too sticky). Transfer dough to a buttered bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise, until doubled, in a warm place; about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down risen dough and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 9-inch rope on a lightly floured surface. Transfer ropes to a lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.

Cover each cookie sheet loosely with plastic wrap and allow it to rise, until doubled, for 1 hour. Remove plastic wrap during the last 10 minutes and preheat your oven to 425 degrees, leaving the pans in the oven.

Bake the bread sticks in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until golden, rotating the pans half way through.
In a small bowl, whisk together the salt and garlic powder for the topping, set aside.
In another small bowl, add the butter and melt on high for 30 seconds or until very soft.

When the bread sticks are finished baking, remove from the oven and immediately brush with the butter. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Serve warm.

These bread sticks taste JUST like their famous counterpart and are so easy to make! We enjoyed ours with homemade fettuccine Alfredo! Yum.

*recipe adapted from Cooking Classy