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Tasty Cheesy Breadsticks

Section: Evening Favorites

You'll start with a soft dough that's buttery and stretchy thanks to some garlic and Italian spices. Let it rise until it's twice as big. Then pile on mozzarella, and add cheddar or Gruyère if you want extra taste. Bake until the cheese bubbles and crust turns golden. These breadsticks taste best warm and go perfectly with dips like ranch or marinara. A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes gives a gentle kick, and garlic adds a nice smell. This simple way makes a tasty snack to share or serve on the side.

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Lindsey
Created By Lindsey
Most recently updated on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 19:56:08 GMT
Cheesy breadsticks on a plate. Save
Cheesy breadsticks on a plate. | cookbing.com

My go-to for comfort food has gotta be these cheesy breadsticks made at home. They come together fast and fill the air with that wonderful fresh bread smell mixed with gooey cheese. Great for dinner sides or party munchies, they nail the soft dough and golden cheesy top every time.

I whipped these up last minute for a family game night and they vanished fast. Everyone kept grabbing more and they instantly became the highlight of the night. I keep coming back to this easy crowd-pleaser.

What You Need

  • Active dry yeast: kicks the dough into rising mode; fresh yeast works best
  • Warm water: gently wakes up the yeast; should feel about body warmth
  • Sugar: helps feed the yeast and gives a touch of sweetness
  • All-purpose flour: gives a soft but solid dough; fresh measurement improves texture
  • Salt: evens out the flavor, don’t skip it
  • Olive oil: adds a delicate richness and keeps breadsticks tender
  • Shredded mozzarella: classic melty cheese that browns nicely; full-fat is best for melting
  • Cheddar or Gruyère: adds extra flavor if you want more cheese variety; fresh cheese tastes better
  • Unsalted butter: brushed on top for that shiny golden finish and extra richness
  • Minced garlic: mixed into the butter for a garlicky kick that pairs perfectly
  • Italian seasoning: a blend of herbs like oregano and basil gives fresh flavor
  • Optional red pepper flakes or flaky salt: sprinkle on top for an extra pop

How To Make

Get The Yeast Going:
Mix together warm water, sugar, and yeast in a big bowl. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes without touching it until it gets foamy on top. This means it’s ready to work.
Mix And Knead The Dough:
Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil into the yeast mix. When it starts to come together into a rough dough, dump it onto a clean surface and knead it for 5 to 7 minutes. You want it smooth, stretchy, and a bit sticky. Kneading makes the dough strong and chewy.
Let It Rise The First Time:
Oil a bowl lightly and pop the dough back in. Cover with a towel and set somewhere warm. Let it double in size, usually 45 to 60 minutes. This makes your breadsticks soft and airy.
Shape And Prep For Baking:
Heat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 9 by 13 inches and gently move it to the tray.
Add Flavor And Cheese:
Brush the dough with butter mixed with minced garlic. Sprinkle on the Italian seasoning, then pile on shredded mozzarella and any other cheese you want.
Bake Until Golden:
Put the tray in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for melted, bubbly cheese and browned edges.
Final Touches And Serving:
If you want, brush more melted butter on top right after baking for extra shine and flavor. Cut into sticks and serve warm with dips like ranch, marinara, or garlic sauce.
Freshly baked cheesy breadsticks on wood.
Freshly baked cheesy breadsticks on wood. | cookbing.com

These breadsticks remind me of my grandma’s kitchen where garlic and melted cheese meant comfort and family togetherness. They never stuck around long at our meals and now I love sharing that feeling.

Keeping Them Fresh

Wrap any leftovers tight and keep them at room temp for up to 2 days if you want softness. Or pop them in the fridge for up to 4 days but they might dry out a bit. Warm them up in the oven or toaster oven to get that crisp top and melty cheese back.

Substitutions

Swap out mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a different cheese vibe. You can switch some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for nuttier taste but the texture might change. Butter on top can be swapped with olive oil for a lighter finish.

Serving Suggestions

They’re great with simple sides like green salad or paired with pasta. Use them as the base for fast pizzas or alongside soup for a cozy meal. Try dipping them in spicy marinara or cool ranch for a fun change.

A plate piled with cheesy breadsticks.
A plate piled with cheesy breadsticks. | cookbing.com

This cheesy breadstick delight brings cozy vibes and is always a hit with any crowd.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ How do I keep breadsticks soft?

Make sure you knead the dough until it feels smooth and stretchy. Then let it rise until it doubles in size. This helps get that soft, moist texture.

→ Which cheeses are best for the topping?

Mozzarella melts really well, but cheddar or Gruyère can add more flavor if you like.

→ Want a crispier crust?

Try brushing some olive oil on the dough before baking. It makes the crust nice and crunchy.

→ What dips go well with these breadsticks?

Marinara, ranch, or anything garlic-based pairs great with the cheesy and herb flavors.

→ Do I really need to wait an hour for the dough to rise?

Yes, letting the dough double makes the inside light and airy, which is what you want.

Cheesy Breadsticks

Warm breadsticks loaded with gooey cheese, garlic, and Italian herbs. Great with your favorite dips.

Preparation Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Difficulty: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Style: Italo-American

Servings Yielded: 8 Number of Servings (8 breadsticks)

Diet Preferences: Vegetarian Option

Ingredients List

→ Toppings

01 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
02 Pinch of red pepper flakes or flaky salt (if you want)
03 45 g melted unsalted butter
04 30 g shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese (optional)
05 5 g Italian seasoning
06 170 g mozzarella cheese, shredded

→ Dough

07 5 g fine salt
08 7 g dry active yeast (a single packet)
09 312 g plain flour
10 240 ml warm water around 43°C
11 5 g white sugar
12 30 ml olive oil

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

Mix sugar, warm water, and yeast together in a big bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes till you see bubbles on top.

Step 02

Add olive oil, salt, and flour to the bubbly yeast mix. Stir till dough kinda comes together then knead by hand for about 5 to 7 minutes till it feels smooth and stretchy.

Step 03

Cover it with a clean cloth. Put it somewhere warm and leave it for 45 to 60 minutes till it doubles in size.

Step 04

Turn your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks.

Step 05

Roll the dough out into a rectangle about 23 cm by 33 cm. Place it gently on your lined baking sheet.

Step 06

Spread melted butter over the dough. Then add chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, mozzarella, and if you want, some cheddar or Gruyère cheese on top.

Step 07

Put it in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and edges get a nice golden color.

Step 08

If you like, brush with extra butter. Cut into breadsticks and enjoy warm with your favorite dips like ranch, marinara, or garlic sauce.

Helpful Hints

  1. Want a crunchier crust? Brush the dough with olive oil before baking. For extra flavor, toss in some garlic powder. It's great with warm marinara dipping sauce.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

  • Mixing bowl, big size
  • Rolling pin
  • Baking sheet with parchment
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.
  • Has gluten and dairy

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.
  • Calorie Count: 280
  • Fat Content: 10 grams
  • Carbohydrate Content: 35 grams
  • Protein Amount: 12 grams