Sourdough Cheesy Garlic Butter Breadsticks
I love a good breadstick, but I don’t always love the time it takes to make them from scratch on a busy weeknight. That’s why I set out to create a recipe that could be made ahead, frozen, and baked off whenever the craving hit. But don’t worry, you can totally bake these fresh too. These little breadsticks are soft, flavorful, and—most importantly—forgiving. If you’re someone who worries about proofing times and perfect dough structure, don’t stress. This recipe can handle a little extra rise time and still turn out great.
The dough itself is simple and doesn’t require a kitchen scale, making it easy for anyone to throw together. It’s enriched with butter for softness, a little sugar for balance, and just enough whole wheat flour to add some structure without making them dense. They bake up golden with a soft, chewy interior and a crisp, buttery crust. And let’s be real—the best part? That garlic butter brushed all over the tops, soaking into every bite. If you’re feeling extra, go ahead and sprinkle on some parmesan and cheddar for cheesy breadsticks. No regrets.
So if you’ve ever wanted homemade breadsticks without the pressure of making them start to finish in one sitting, this is the recipe for you. Plus, who doesn’t want a stash of frozen, ready-to-bake breadsticks just hanging out in their freezer? Give them a try—you might just start making double batches on purpose.
Convinced it’s time for some homemade garlic breadsticks? Here’s a grocery list of everything you’re gonna need!
Ingredients Needed to Bake Garlic Butter Sourdough Breadsticks:
Water
Active sourdough starter
Granulated sugar
Salt
Melted butter
Whole wheat flour
Bread flour
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Shredded parmesan (optional)
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions:
Flour: If you don’t have bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour, though the texture may be slightly less chewy.
Butter: Unsalted butter can be used, just add an extra pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
Cheese: Swap the cheddar for mozzarella or even gouda for a different flavor.
Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have a blend, use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
What Tools Do You Need to Bake Garlic Butter Sourdough Breadsticks?
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Parchment paper
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Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Garlic Butter Sourdough Breadsticks:
Start by mixing all the dough ingredients in a large bowl until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for about 5-10 minutes until it comes together but is still slightly sticky. Cover and let it rise for 6 hours or overnight until doubled in size.
Once risen, divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape them into logs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rise again until puffy.
Preheat your oven to 400°F. While waiting, make the garlic butter by mixing melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Brush the risen breadsticks with the butter mixture. If you’re making cheesy breadsticks, sprinkle them with parmesan and cheddar before baking. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. Brush with more garlic butter after baking for an extra layer of flavor.
To freeze, place the unbaked, shaped and risen breadsticks on a tray in the freezer until solid. Then, coat them in butter, wrap tightly in freezer paper and plastic wrap, and store. When ready to bake, place them straight from the freezer into a 400°F oven and bake for 15-17 minutes until golden.
How to Make the Best Garlic Butter Breadsticks?
Use an active sourdough starter to get the best rise and flavor.
Don’t over-knead; a soft dough keeps the breadsticks light and tender.
Brush with garlic butter before and after baking for maximum flavor.
How to Prevent Your Breadsticks from Being Too Dense?
Make sure your sourdough starter is bubbly and active before mixing.
Allow enough time for the dough to properly ferment and rise.
Avoid adding too much extra flour during kneading, as this can dry out the dough.
How to Freeze or Store Your Breadsticks?
For unbaked breadsticks: Freeze them after shaping, then bake straight from frozen.
For baked breadsticks: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to refresh.
Recipe for Sourdough Garlic Butter Breadsticks:
Sourdough Garlic Butter Breadsticks
Ingredients
Instructions
- Into a large mixing bowl, add all of the ingredients for the dough. Using a wooden spoon, stir them together until a shaggy ball of dough forms.
- Once the ball of dough gets too sticky to mix with the wooden spoon, switch to your hand and knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until the dough fully comes together and is starting to develop some gluten and elasticity. (It is okay if there is still some stickiness to your dough. You are looking for minimal gluten development to keep the breadsticks soft and tender)
- Cover your dough and allow it to rise in a warm place (like your oven with only the light on) for 6 hours up to overnight, or until at least doubled in size.
- Once doubled, turn your dough out onto a very lightly floured surface, and using a knife or a bench scraper, divide it into 12 even balls of dough either by weight (if you have a food scale) or by general size.
- Next, shape each ball of dough into a log shape that is approx. 5-6 inches long.
- Once all breadsticks have been formed, place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (place 6 breadsticks on each pan), and cover them with plastic wrap. Place the baking sheets in a warm area to allow them to double in size once again.
- If you would like to freeze your unbaked breadsticks to bake later, please jump to step 13. To bake immediately, please continue on to the next step.
- Once doubled, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, and remove the plastic wrap from the breadsticks.
- Make your garlic butter by mixing all of the ingredients for the garlic butter in a small bowl, and then brush each breadstick generously with the garlic butter. It is okay if you don't use all of the butter at this time, as you can use it later in the recipe.
- For Cheesy Breadsticks: After brushing breadsticks with butter, sprinkle the tops generously with your cheese mixture before baking.
- Place the breadsticks into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the breadsticks have browned on the bottom and are baked through. (You can test this by tapping on the bottoms of the breadsticks. If they make a hollow sound, they are ready to go).
- Remove the baked breadsticks from the oven and brush with any remaining garlic butter if desired. Serve and enjoy!
- Instructions for freezing breadsticks to bake later:
- After your breadsticks have doubled in size, place them into your freezer for 2 hours, or until frozen solid.
- Once frozen, mix all of the ingredients for your garlic butter and your cheese mixture (if desired).
- Remove your breadsticks from the freezer and dunk each breadstick into your melted butter, and then directly into your cheese mixture (if desired). The butter should quickly harden on the outside of your breadsticks, encasing it in butter.
- Once all of the breadsticks have been dunked, line 6 breadsticks up on a large piece of freezer paper, and wrap them tightly. Repeat with the remaining 6 breadsticks. Then, wrap the freezer paper with plastic wrap for extra protection and place the breadsticks into the freezer until you are ready to bake.
- To Bake Frozen Breadsticks: Remove the breadsticks from the freezer and remove them from their plastic wrap and freezer paper, and place them onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, and place your baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until they have turned golden brown and are cooked through.
- Once baked, remove from the oven, serve alongside pasta, soup, or with marinara sauce, and enjoy!