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These Breadsticks (aka Breadtwists) are so easy to make and complement any meal from soups to spaghetti. Fluffy, buttery, oh so yummy!

Breadsticks (aka Breadtwists)
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 breadtwists 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 breadtwists, 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
- 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.
- 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.
Suggestions for Homemade Breadsticks
- 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, just about anything!
- This recipe also makes the most delicious pizza crust! Roll it out in a circle then add all your favorite toppings.
- 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 beat!
- Dip these breadsticks in Ranch dressing, warm marinara, or our homemade Alfredo Sauce.
- You can make these a sweeter breadstick recipe by omitting the garlic and Parmesan cheese, then dipping them in honey butter. So good!
- 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!
- 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.

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.

What to Serve with Breadsticks
Serve these warm, chewy breadsticks with any meal! They’re especially good with any of these recipes:
- Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup – Crock Pot Vegetable Beef Soup is full of savory ground beef and hearty vegetables. One of the easiest soups to throw together on a busy, chilly day, and always a family favorite!
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup – Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is truly good for the soul. Rich broth, chunks of juicy chicken and tender noodles create a comfort classic that is ready in no time!
- Loaded Baked Potato Soup – This Loaded Baked Potato Soup is loaded with potatoes, bacon, corn, and cheese. Our hearty recipe is a perfect way to warm up when it is cold outside!
- Nick’s Authentic Italian Spaghetti – Nick’s Authentic Italian Spaghetti recipe comes straight from Italy. Tomatoes, basil, onions, and carrots flavor the meat to make the perfect sauce!
- Easy Cheesy Manicotti – Easy Cheese Manicotti is stuffed with three kinds of cheese and smothered in savory tomato sauce. A simple Italian dish that’s sure to be a hit!
- Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage – Baked Rotini with Italian Sausage is savory, cheesy, and a little spicy. It is an easy dinner and can be frozen and reheated later.
More Delicious Homemade Bread Recipes
Is there anything better than warm homemade bread? Here are some more of our favorite bread recipes.
- Irish Soda Bread – This authentic Irish Soda Bread is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. It is easy to make. The bread doesn’t have to rise and there is very little kneading involved.
- Subway Bread – This bread works great for Subway sandwiches. It is soft, slightly chewy, and has a fresh, homemade flavor.
- Zucchini Bread – This is our Mom’s no-fail recipe for zucchini bread. A moist, flavorful bread with a slightly crispy crust.
- Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia Bread – The perfect dipping bread! It is delicious dipped in olive oil or as a side for soup.
- Sally Lunn Bread – A sweet bread recipe that has been passed down in our family for generations.

Breadsticks (aka Breadtwists)
Video
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients:
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter divided in half
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add flour and salt. Mix until smooth. This can be done in a stand mixer with a bread hook.
- Cover and let rise for 10 minutes.
- 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.
- Fold the square in half and cut the dough into 1-inch strips. Twist each strip and place on a baking sheet. Let rise for 20 minutes.
- 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.
- Serve with marinara, ranch, or Alfredo sauce for dipping.
- For homemade marinara sauté the garlic in olive oil. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Information
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I love this breadstick recipe and make it often!
Can I make these a day ahead, cool, bag in plastic and reheat the next day?
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 🙂
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.
So glad you like them! Emily and I both worked at PF so we definitely know how they should taste 😉 Glad you approve!
What’s the ratio of garlic to butter? My family loves these, but sometimes I do too much or too little garlic.
I ususally do about a tsp for 1/4 c. butter.
These were just delicious! and very quick and simple. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes! I use and love many of them!!
So glad you liked them!!! Thanks for your comment!
Wow!!! I made these breadsticks tonight and they were so yummy!!!
I made these for the first time tonight and they were delicious! I loved dipping them in the extra garlic butter.
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.
That should work just fine.
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.
I usually use active dry…
But instant will work!
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!
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!
Thanks Colleen! I love these breadtwists too!
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!!!!
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!
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? 🙂
Can you double this recipe? Thanks
Sure! I don’t see why not!
Yep! You answered my question- I am making them tonight! I'll let you know how I did 😉 LoL
@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
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