Sep 11 2026
Restaurants›The Original Italian Pie›Bread Sticks Recipe

Bread Sticks Recipe

Inspired by The Original Italian Pie
Time2h
Serves8

10"

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Ingredients

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Dough

Topping / Finish

Method

Dough

  1. 1

    Activate yeast

    Combine warm water (about 105–115°F / 40–46°C), warm milk, sugar and instant yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit 5–7 minutes until foamy. If mixture doesn’t foam, yeast may be inactive — start with fresh yeast.

  2. 2

    Mix dry ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook), whisk together the flour and kosher salt to distribute evenly.

  3. 3

    Form dough

    Make a well in the center of the flour. Add the foamy yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. If using a stand mixer, mix on low until combined.

  4. 4

    Knead

    Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic (or knead with the stand mixer on medium-low for 6–8 minutes). Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil during kneading if dough feels too dry. Dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.

  5. 5

    First rise

    Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60–75 minutes, or until doubled in size.

  6. 6

    Shape sticks

    Punch the dough down to release air. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal portions for 10" bread sticks (adjust portion size if you want more or fewer sticks). Roll each portion into a tight log about 10 inches long and about 3/4" thick. Place shaped sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced 1 inch apart.

  7. 7

    Second rise

    Cover the shaped sticks loosely with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise 25–30 minutes until puffy but not doubled.

Bake & Finish

  1. 8

    Preheat oven

    While the sticks are undergoing the second rise, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven.

  2. 9

    Prepare topping

    In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and half of the chopped parsley. Reserve remaining parsley for garnish. If using granulated garlic instead of fresh, whisk it into the melted butter.

  3. 10

    Brush before baking

    Just before baking, brush the tops of the risen bread sticks lightly with about half of the garlic-butter mixture (this helps browning and flavor). Sprinkle each stick lightly with a pinch of coarse salt.

  4. 11

    Bake

    Bake in the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 12–15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the sticks are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped.

  5. 12

    Brush after baking

    Remove from oven and immediately brush remaining garlic-butter over the hot sticks so it soaks in. While still warm, sprinkle with grated Parmesan (if using) and the remaining chopped parsley.

  6. 13

    Cool and serve

    Allow bread sticks to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack for 5–10 minutes. Serve warm. These are best the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days and refreshed in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes before serving.

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