Breadsticks (Breadtwists)

5 from 6 votes
48 Comments

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These breadsticks or breadtwists are so easy to make and complement any meal from soups to spaghetti. Fluffy, buttery, oh so yummy!

Breadsticks on a platter with dipping sauces.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Breadsticks (Bread twists)
  2. Steps to Making Breadsticks (Bread twists)
  3. Suggestions for Breadsticks (Breadtwists)
  4. Homemade Marinara Sauce
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. More Delicious Homemade Bread Recipes
  7. How to Make Breadsticks (Breadtwists)
  8. Breadsticks (Breadtwists) Recipe

This breadsticks recipe goes way back to when two of us sisters worked at the Utah-based restaurant, The Pizza Factory in high school. We loved everything on the menu from the gobbler sandwiches to the authentic bread twists that came with each meal. Something about that place just feels like home. So now that we’re out of state and can’t get our fix anytime we want, we had to come up with a version of our own.

These homemade breadsticks taste every bit as delicious as those Pizza Factory bread twists, so buttery, light, and comforting. There is just the right combination of butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese folded into the dough and twisted that makes these completely irresistible. They’re easy to make and complement so many meals, from soup recipes to Italian dishes.

Ingredients for Breadsticks (Bread twists)

These breadsticks are the perfect addition to any main dish! The pantry staple ingredients create soft and moist breadsticks every time. Kids love to help make these homemade breadsticks recipe!

  • Yeast mixture – First, mix together warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. The yeast is the leavening agent for these breadsticks and the sugar helps the yeast to bloom quickly.
  • All-purpose flour – Like every bread recipe, flour is the base for these breadsticks. You will also need it for a lightly floured surface when rolling out the dough.
  • Salt – Use Kosher salt to add flavor. Salt can inhibit yeast rising, so make sure to add it with the flour and not at the beginning.
  • Garlic butter filling – In the middle of the breadsticks is a layer of melted butter and garlic. When you twist the dough, the filling twists around and the butter creates flakey layers that accentuate the twist shape.
  • Herb butter topping – When the breadsticks come out of the oven they get topped with a delicious combination of melted butter, garlic, basil, and oregano.
  • Parmesan Cheese – The final finishing touch is a salty, cheesy dusting of Parmesan.
Dough rolled out and topped with garlic butter.


Steps to Making Breadsticks (Bread twists)

Get ready to enjoy delicious homemade breadsticks in less than an hour! Follow these quick and easy instructions to make a simple breadstick that is perfect for any occasion. It is easier than you think!

  1. Mix – In a large bowl of a stand mixer, use a dough hook attachment. Mix water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Bread hook – Add flour and salt. Mix until smooth. This can be done in a stand mixer with a bread hook.
  3. Rise – Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.
  4. Roll dough – On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a square. Melt butter and mix in minced garlic. Spread the garlic butter over the whole dough square. Sprinkle with salt.
  5. Cut dough – Fold the square in half and cut the dough into 1-inch strips. Twist each strip and place it on a baking sheet. Let rise for 20 minutes.
  6. Bake – Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. While the breadsticks are still warm, melt butter and add minced garlic, basil, and oregano. Brush the herb butter over the breadsticks and top with parmesan cheese.
  7. Serve – Serve with marinara, ranch, or Alfredo sauce for dipping.
  8. Marinara – For homemade marinara sauté the garlic in olive oil. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Breadsticks on a platter surrounded by dipping sauce.

Suggestions for Breadsticks (Breadtwists)

Make these breadsticks a staple at your next dinner meal! Change the shape, use it for a pizza crust, or season it just the way you like your breadsticks. These suggestions are great tips for making the best breadsticks!

  • Shape – The simple homemade dough can be molded into whatever shape you like; we are partial to longer strips that make breadtwists but you can make round rolls, crescents, and just about anything!
  • Pizza crust – This recipe also makes the most delicious pizza crust! Roll it out in a circle then add all your favorite toppings.
  • Pizza cutter – Use a pizza cutter to cut the lines of the bread dough. It gives a clean cut that makes it easier to lift the dough apart and twist.
  • Seasonings – For truly authentic Pizza Factory breadtwists, add a little dried or fresh dill to the garlic butter. It just adds another layer of fresh flavor that can’t be beaten!
  • Dips – Dip these breadsticks in Ranch dressing, warm marinara, or our homemade Alfredo Sauce.
  • Sweet breadsticks – You can make these a sweeter breadstick recipe by omitting the garlic and parmesan cheese, and then dipping them in honey butter. So good!
  • Frozen – These breadsticks can be made ahead of time and frozen for freshness. Bake and cool, then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to a week. Warm them up in the microwave and enjoy!
  • Bouquet – The Pizza Factory twisted the breadsticks around large skewers and served them as sort of a breadtwist bouquet! You could do the same for your family and have a fun centerpiece for your meal.
A breadstick being dipped in marinara sauce.

Homemade Marinara Sauce

Homemade marinara sauce is so delicious and surprisingly easy to make! This doesn’t claim to be a “traditional” marinara, but it uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Start by sautéing some garlic in olive oil. When the garlic is golden brown and fragrant, add tomato paste and tomato sauce.

Make sure to stir frequently and scrape the bottom of the pan so the tomato doesn’t scald on the bottom. Then, add some oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the head. Then, simmer for 15 minutes. 

A bowl of marinara sauce.

“These were just delicious! and very quick and simple. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I use and love many of them!!”

-Emmy

Frequently Asked Questions

What are breadsticks made of?

Most types of breadsticks are made of flour, yeast, water, and salt. Then you can add a butter compound to melt overtop the breadsticks.

What do Italians eat breadsticks with?

Breadsticks are a great side dish with pasta, soup, or salads. They are also a great side dish to pizzas and any other Italian favorite!

What’s the difference between a baguette and a breadstick?

A baguette is a thick type of bread that is long with a crispy crust and soft bread on the inside whereas a breadstick is more short and thin with a soft and garlic flavor. Both are delicious and great reasons to use them for certain meals.

How long do breadsticks stay fresh?

Store breadsticks in an airtight container or ziplock plastic bag for three to four days.

Breadsticks on a platter surrounded by dipping sauce.

More Delicious Homemade Bread Recipes

There is nothing better than warm homemade bread! We love to make our own bread recipes and it is easier than you think. Try some more of our favorite bread recipes!

How to Make Breadsticks (Breadtwists)

Breadsticks on a platter surrounded by dipping sauce.

Breadsticks (Breadtwists)

5 from 6 votes
These breadsticks or breadtwists are so easy to make and complement any meal from soups to spaghetti. Fluffy, buttery, oh so yummy!
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Video

Ingredients

Dough

Topping

Marinara Sauce

Instructions

Breadsticks

  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
    Water, sugar, and yeast combined in a bowl
  • Add flour and salt. Mix until smooth.
    Breadstick dough in a bowl
  • Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.
    Breadstick dough after it has risen
  • On a floured surface, roll the dough out into a square. The dough should be about ¼-inch thick. Mix ¼ cup butter and 1 teaspoon mixed garlic together. Spread the garlic butter over the whole dough square. Sprinkle with salt.
    Dough rolled out and topped with garlic butter
  • Fold the square in half and cut the dough into 1-inch-wide strips with a pizza cutter. Twist each strip and place it on a baking sheet. Let rise for 20 minutes.
    Dough cut into strips
  • Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. While the breadsticks are still warm melt the remaining butter and add 1 teaspoon minced garlic, kosher salt, basil, and oregano. Brush the herb butter over the breadsticks and top with Parmesan cheese.
    Baked breadsticks on a baking sheet
  • Serve with marinara, ranch, or Alfredo sauce for dipping.
    A breadstick being dipped in marinara sauce

Marinara Sauce

  • For homemade marinara, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic in olive oil. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and salt. Simmer on low for 15 minutes.
    A bowl of marinara sauce

Nutrition Information

Calories: 377kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 719mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. Very tasty. I accidentally combined Parmesan cheese with melted butter and Italian spices at brush on bread sticks after cooked, but, worked out.
    Quick to make !!

    1. Yes, they can be re-heated but they won’t taste QUITE as delicious as they are right out of the oven. You can also freeze them 🙂

  2. These are so, so good! And really easy to make too! Used to eat at Pizza Factory back in the day when they only had the St. George and Cedar locations.

    1. So glad you like them! Emily and I both worked at PF so we definitely know how they should taste 😉 Glad you approve!

  3. 5 stars
    These were just delicious! and very quick and simple. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I use and love many of them!!

  4. I made these for the first time tonight and they were delicious! I loved dipping them in the extra garlic butter.

  5. Do you know if it would work to make the dough twists at night, refrigerate them, let them rise in the morning and then bake? I would love to make these for my daughter’s Rapunzel party and do as much as possible ahead of time.

  6. i want to make this breadtwist tonight, what kind of yeast did you use, is it regular active dry yeast or instant dry yeast? (packet-size?) thanks.

  7. In the process of making these and can’t wait to have one! Just found your website through Pintrest and I’m definitely going to repin. I love to cook, but have been unsuccessful at making most anything using yeast. Not anymore! Looking forward to using this recipe for many different recipes! Thanks so much!

  8. I want you to know this recipe is the best! I use this dough to make calzones for my kids and they love it along with my husband. The dough is delicious and chewy it is incredible. I love all of your recipes keep them coming!

  9. I just made these!!!!! I added a little bit of Italian seasoning and dill just to give it a hair more flavor. They turned out so amazing!!!!

  10. I have made these a number of times and they are truly amazing…..best breadsticks ever. The garlic butter makes them, but they are soft and chewy and it is pure heaven pulling them apart and diving in right out if the oven. Even if your soup isn’t ready. Mine makes about a dozen and they are pretty good sized. I always wondered how to get beautifully twisted breadsticks and now I know. These are so awesome. Thanks again for good eats!

  11. Now to try making them into those yummy Cinnamon Twists they make at Pizza Factory! You wouldn’t know how to make their dipping sauce for those would ya? 🙂

  12. @Jenn– I hope I am understanding the question correctly..

    You mix the water, sugar and yeast together and let it sit for 5 minutes. After it sits, then you add the flour and salt.

    Did I answer that right? Let me know if you are still confused! Sorry about that!

    Erica

  13. I love that these take so little time!! I'm buying yeast tonight and trying these tomorrow! Thanks! Also- do you mix the 1st 3 ingredients at the beginning or let it sit 1st? Sorry, I am slow… & just starting this whole cook for my fam thing! LoL LOVE your blog! Thanks for sharing SO many yummy ideas!!!
    ~Jenn

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