Name: Italian Breadsticks {Twisted Breadsticks}
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 12 breadsticks
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ cups warm water; 1 tablespoon instant yeast; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 3½ to 4½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons butter (melted); Parmesan cheese or Garlic Parmesan Seasoning (optional, see notes)

Garlic & Parmesan Italian Breadsticks {Twisted Breadsticks}

Soft, buttery twisted Italian Breadsticks with a homemade garlic & parmesan seasoning will become your family's favorite bread side dish!

Prep15 min

Cook15 min

Serves12 breadsticks

Published 2 Jun 2025

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Learn how to make easyItalian Breadsticksat home with this simple recipe. These soft, buttery twisted breadsticks with a homemade garlic and parmesan seasoning are perfect for any meal and will become your family’s favorite bread side dish!

A baking tray with several twisted Italian breadsticks sprinkled with herbs, sitting on a blue cloth, and a jar with a red basting brush and oil nearby.

🥖 The forgiving dough works around your schedule with adjustable rising times, making itperfect for busy weeknightsor leisurely weekend cooking sessions!

My 2 Best Tips For Making Italian Breadsticks

Brush with Butter While Hot:Apply the melted butter immediately after removing breadsticks from the oven. The heat helps the butter absorb into the crust, creating that irresistible buttery flavor throughout.

Getting The Perfect Twist Shape:After folding each strip in half, hold one end firmly and twist the other end away from you about 3-4 times. Press both ends firmly onto the baking sheet to prevent untwisting during baking. Practice really does make perfect!

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These Italian breadsticks strike the ideal balance between soft and chewy on the inside with a beautifully golden exterior that’s never too hard or crusty. They’re seriously perfect breadsticks!

Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist these buttery, cheesy, garlic infused breadsticks that pair perfectly with pasta, soup, or enjoyed on their own as a snack.

Plus it’s easy to make in bulk. Whether you’re cooking for four or feeding a crowd, this recipe doubles or triples effortlessly, making it ideal for dinner parties and family gatherings.

How To Make Italian Breadsticks

A white tray holds bowls containing flour, sugar, dry yeast, salt, olive oil, a pat of butter, and another white powder, all arranged neatly on a light surface.

Step 1:n a medium bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, olive oil, and salt. Stir in 1 cup of flour. Add another cup and stir again. Add remaining flour a little at a time, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.

A glass bowl filled with risen bread dough sits on a light-colored, textured surface. The dough has expanded and appears soft and slightly puffy.

Step 2:Transfer to a floured surface and knead in more flour until a smooth, elastic dough forms. It should be soft but not sticky. Place dough back in the bowl, cover, and let rise for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your schedule.

Rectangular dough on a white surface, cut into evenly sized strips ready for baking or cooking.

Step 3:Roll the risen dough into a rectangle about 18×10 inches. Cut into 12 equal strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

A baking sheet lined with a silicone mat holds several twisted strips of raw dough, evenly spaced and ready for baking.

Step 4:Take each strip, fold it in half, and twist the ends in opposite directions. Place twists on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper, pressing the ends against the pan to help them hold their shape. Let the shaped breadsticks rise for 15 to 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 425°F.

A baking tray lined with a silicone mat holds several golden-brown, twisted breadsticks arranged in rows, fresh out of the oven.

Step 5:Bake breadsticks for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

A hand uses a red silicone brush to apply butter to freshly baked breadsticks on a baking tray, with a small glass bowl of melted butter nearby.

Step 6:Brush hot breadsticks with melted butter.

A baking sheet with several twisted breadsticks sprinkled with herbs and seasonings, resting on a silicone baking mat on a wooden surface.

Step 7:Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or your favoriteGarlic Parmesan Seasoning.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make Italian breadsticks ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and shape the breadsticks, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Let them come to room temperature and rise for 15-20 minutes before baking.

Can I freeze these breadsticks?

Absolutely! Freeze baked and cooled breadsticks in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven for best results.

What’s the secret to getting the perfect twist shape?

After folding each strip in half, hold one end firmly and twist the other end away from you about 3-4 times. Press both ends firmly onto the baking sheet to prevent untwisting during baking.

More Comforting Bread Recipes To Try

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Italian Breadsticks {Twisted Breadsticks}

Learn how to make easy Italian Breadsticks at home with this simple recipe. These soft, buttery twisted breadsticks with a homemade garlic and parmesan seasoning are perfect for any meal and will become your family's favorite bread side dish!

Ingredients

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine warm water, yeast, sugar, olive oil, and salt.

Stir in 1 cup of flour. Add another cup and stir again.

Add remaining flour a little at a time, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.

Transfer to a floured surface and knead in more flour until a smooth, elastic dough forms. It should be soft but not sticky.

Place dough back in the bowl, cover, and let rise for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your schedule.

Roll the risen dough into a rectangle about 18x10 inches.

Cut into 12 equal strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Take each strip, fold it in half, and twist the ends in opposite directions.

Place twists on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper, pressing the ends against the pan to help them hold their shape.

Let the shaped breadsticks rise for 15 to 30 minutes while the oven preheats to 425°F.

Bake breadsticks for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Brush hot breadsticks with melted butter.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese or your favorite Garlic Parmesan Seasoning (highly recommended!).

Notes

Rising Time: The rising times for this dough are NOT firm. It is a really forgiving dough and you can work with it to suit your schedule! I'll often use quit short rising times for this recipes with no issues if I'm in a hurry to get these on the dinner table. And if you have more time, there's no harm in letting the dough rise longer. You'll love how flexible this recipe is! Best Topping: The cheese and garlic topping is what makes these in my opinion. It really puts them over the top and everyone (including my pickiest kid) LOVES it. We make this recipe all of the time because it's a huge family favorite. You can also just do melted butter or you can do melted butter with just the sprinkle cheese (the powdery parmesan) on top. All are great choices. Feed A Crowd: This is a really easy recipe to double or triple if you are making these for a crowd. Just get some help with the twisting! Sugar Substitute: You can sub the sugar for honey if you'd like. Storing Breadsticks: Store cooled breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their texture. Freeze baked and cooled breadsticks in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven for best results.

Nutrition

Calories70

Carbohydrates9

Cholesterol5

Fat3

Fiber0.4

Protein1

Saturated fat1

Sodium211

Sugar1