Oh, let me tell you about my absolute favorite quick-fix side dish – these easy garlic breadsticks! I’ve been making them for years, ever since my college days when I needed something fast, cheap, and delicious to go with my endless bowls of pasta. The best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Just imagine – warm, buttery breadsticks with that perfect golden crunch, infused with garlicky goodness. I’ve served these to everyone from picky kids to fancy dinner guests, and they always disappear first. Trust me, once you try this simple method, you’ll never go back to store-bought breadsticks again.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Garlic Breadsticks
Let me count the ways these garlic breadsticks will become your new kitchen staple:
- They’re ridiculously quick – I’m talking ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those “oh no, dinner’s ready but I forgot the bread!” moments.
- That irresistible texture – crispy golden edges with a soft, pillowy center that makes you want to eat them straight off the baking sheet.
- Goes with everything – pasta night? Soup supper? Salad lunch? These breadsticks elevate every meal without stealing the show.
- Customizable flavors – add more garlic (I always do), sprinkle on some cheese, or mix in herbs. They’re like a blank canvas for your cravings!
Ingredients for Easy Garlic Breadsticks
Here’s the simple lineup that makes these garlic breadsticks magic happen. I promise, there’s nothing fancy here – just good ingredients doing delicious work:
- 1 loaf French bread (or 1 lb pizza dough) – The foundation! I usually grab a fresh baguette when I’m at the store, but pizza dough works beautifully if you want to make them from scratch.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted – Real butter, please! It makes all the difference in flavor and that perfect golden crust.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is best here, but I’ll let you in on a little secret – I often use 3 cloves because we’re garlic lovers in this house!
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley – Adds that lovely fleck of green and a subtle herbaceous note.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Just enough to make all the flavors pop without overwhelming.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) – My kids beg me to add this every time, but they’re fantastic without it too if you’re keeping it simple.
Equipment You’ll Need
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for these breadsticks – just a few basic kitchen tools you probably already have:
- Baking sheet – Any standard sheet pan will do, though I’m partial to my well-loved half sheet pan with a rim.
- Pastry brush – For slathering on that garlic butter goodness. If you don’t have one, a spoon works in a pinch!
- Small mixing bowl – Where the magic garlic butter mixture comes together.
- Sharp knife – For cutting the bread into perfect little sticks.
How to Make Easy Garlic Breadsticks
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making these irresistible garlic breadsticks! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could probably do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step to make sure yours turn out perfect.
Step 1: Prep the Dough
First things first – preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab your bread or dough. If using French bread, slice it into 1-inch wide sticks – like you’re making little garlicky soldiers ready for duty! For pizza dough, roll it out first, then cut into strips. Easy peasy.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter
Now for the star of the show – that glorious garlic butter! Melt your butter (microwave or stovetop, I won’t judge), then stir in the minced garlic, parsley, and salt. Mix it really well – you want every bite to sing with flavor. I usually let it sit for a minute so the garlic infuses into the butter.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Time to get messy! Brush that garlic butter all over your breadsticks – don’t be shy, really coat them well. Sprinkle on Parmesan if you’re using it (highly recommended!). Pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes until they’re golden brown and smell amazing. You’ll know they’re done when the edges get that perfect crisp.
Tips for Perfect Easy Garlic Breadsticks
After making these garlic breadsticks more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to guarantee they turn out amazing every single time:
- Fresh garlic is non-negotiable – That jarred stuff just doesn’t give the same punch of flavor. I always mince mine extra fine so it distributes evenly and doesn’t burn.
- Watch the clock for perfect crispiness – For softer breadsticks, pull them at 10 minutes. Want extra crunch? Give them 12-13 minutes until deep golden. My oven runs hot, so I start checking at 8 minutes!
- Serve immediately – These are best piping hot when the butter is still glistening and the aroma makes everyone gather in the kitchen. I sometimes reheat leftovers, but nothing beats fresh-from-the-oven magic.
Variations for Easy Garlic Breadsticks
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Here are my go-to twists when I’m feeling creative:
- Spicy kick – Toss in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter. My husband calls these his “fire sticks”!
- Herb garden special – Swap parsley for fresh rosemary or thyme – just chop fine so it sticks to the bread.
- Cheese lovers – Mix mozzarella into the dough before baking for pull-apart cheesy goodness.
- Everything flavor – Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning after buttering for extra crunch and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic breadsticks are the ultimate wingman for so many dishes! I love them with spaghetti (obviously), but they’re also amazing dipped into creamy tomato soup or served alongside a crisp Caesar salad. Honestly? I’ve been known to eat them solo while they’re still too hot – no shame!
Storage and Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), pop those garlic breadsticks into an airtight container for up to 2 days. When you’re ready for round two, a quick 5-minute toast in the oven at 350°F brings back that perfect crispness – microwave reheating just makes them soggy, trust me!
Nutrition Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I know you might be curious about what’s in these delicious garlic breadsticks. Just remember – nutritional values can vary depending on the exact ingredients you use (like how much butter you brush on – no judgment from me!). While they’re certainly a treat, I always say everything in moderation tastes better. The way I see it, fresh garlic has to count for something good, right? Just enjoy them as part of a balanced meal – maybe with that big salad you’re serving alongside!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these garlic breadsticks – here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, but fresh is way better! Use 1/4 teaspoon powder per clove. The flavor won’t be as vibrant, but it works in a pinch.
Can I freeze these breadsticks?
Honestly? I don’t recommend it. They lose that perfect crisp texture when thawed. Better to make them fresh – they’re so quick anyway!
How do I make vegan garlic breadsticks?
Easy! Swap the butter for your favorite plant-based version and skip the cheese (or use vegan parm). The garlic flavor still shines through beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my foolproof recipe for garlic breadsticks that never fails to impress! I’d love to hear how yours turn out. Did you add extra garlic like I always do? Maybe you discovered a new favorite variation? Drop me a note – I’m always looking for excuses to bake another batch!
Print20-Minute Easy Garlic Breadsticks Recipe – Irresistible & Simple
Quick and easy garlic breadsticks with a soft interior and crispy exterior. Perfect as a side for pasta or soups.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 breadsticks 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread or pizza dough
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the bread or dough into sticks about 1-inch wide.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, and salt.
- Brush the garlic butter mixture over each breadstick.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for best flavor.
- Adjust baking time based on thickness of breadsticks.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
