Easy sourdough breadsticks that can be made start-to-finish in one day! These breadsticks are so soft, and the garlic butter that gets brushed over them after baking takes them to the next level. These are a perfect, easy bread to go with so many meals!

Once, I thought it would be fun to do an Olive Garden-inspired meal at home, the most exciting part obviously being the all-you-can-eat breadsticks. And let me tell you, my kitchen is not equipped to produce the quantity of breadsticks my family can consume. They were gone in no time at all. I don't know how Olive Garden does it.

And here they are - the disappearing breadsticks! So satisfyingly soft, flavorful, and hard to stop eating once you start. I love making them for any pasta or salad meals at our house, and they come together so quickly, it's easy to do last-minute (at least, by sourdough standards!).

The Dough

This dough is really easy to work with. It's on the stiffer side, but there's enough melted butter and water in it to keep the breadsticks from being tough.

Since there's so much starter in here, you can most definitely mix this dough in the morning and be enjoying breadsticks with your dinner that day!

Once the dough is kneaded, you don't have to do any stretch and folds, so it really is a mix it and forget it kind of dough.

The recipe calls for a stand mixer for kneading, but you can certainly do it by hand if you're up for it! Kneading is done when the dough looks smooth.

Shaping Breadsticks

If ever you've made a worm out of Play-Doh, you're ready to shape breadsticks. It is pretty much the exact same.

Once you've divided the dough, take a piece and beginning at one end, fold it over onto itself to form a stocky log, stretching the ends as needed to keep them even.

Then, roll the log against the counter, beginning at the center and working your hands toward the ends while you roll. You want your breadsticks to be about 8-inches long.

Arrange the breadsticks on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap while they do their second rise.

The Garlic Butter

These breadsticks are brushed with a combination of melted butter, garlic powder, and salt as soon as they're out of the oven.

It not only adds so much flavor to these breadsticks, but it also helps to keep the crust super soft as they cool. Don't skip it!

Feel free to add additional flavorings at this stage - Italian seasoning or finely grated parmesan are both so good!

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5 from 1 vote

Soft Sourdough Breadsticks

Makes 12 breadsticks.

Prep Time20

Cook Time12

Rest Time10

Total Time10 32

Servings:

Author: Mandy

Ingredients

The Dough

160 grams water
100 grams active sourdough starter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 grams sugar
380 grams all purpose flour
8 grams salt

The Topping

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, starter, butter, and sugar. Add the flour and salt and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Once all ingredients are incorporated, knead on LOW speed for 8-10 minutes, until dough begins to look smooth. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and let rise until doubled in size, about 6-8 hours.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into an 8-inch log and place on the prepared sheet pan. Cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let rise until very puffed up - about 1 ½ -2 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake breadsticks for 12-14 minutes on the top half of the oven, until cooked through and lightly browned. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter, salt, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Once the breadsticks come out of the oven, brush with the melted butter mixture. Serve warm.