Cheesy Breadsticks

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Overview

A crispy, golden-brown breadstick loaded with melted mozzarella and tangy Parmesan, finished with a garlic-butter drizzle. Perfect for dipping in marinara or ranch, this recipe delivers the cheesy, comforting goodness of pizza in easy-to-eat breadstick form.

Ingredients

For the Breadsticks:

• 1 pound store-bought or homemade pizza dough, at room temperature

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional: reduce by 1 tbsp for less oiliness, per user feedback)

• 3 garlic cloves, finely grated (or 1 tsp garlic powder for convenience)

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend (dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme)

• Pinch of salt (to taste)

• 8 ounces (2 cups) low-moisture mozzarella, finely grated

• ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

• Neutral-tasting oil (e.g., vegetable, canola) for greasing

• Cornmeal or flour for dusting (optional, for non-stick surface)

For Serving:

• Marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• Ranch dressing

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

Position an oven rack in the bottom third and preheat to 450°F (230°C). Grease a 9×13-inch metal pan generously with neutral oil, ensuring all surfaces (bottom and sides) are coated. For extra crispiness, dust the pan with cornmeal or flour (prevents sticking).

Step 2: Stretch Dough Evenly

With oiled hands, place the pizza dough in the pan. Gently stretch outward from the center to the edges, working the dough until it reaches the pan’s dimensions (approximately 13×9 inches). If the dough retracts, let it rest 2–3 minutes (it will relax) before continuing. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even baking.

Step 3: Garlic Butter Mixture

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, grated garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Stir to blend. Let cool slightly (1–2 minutes) to avoid scorching the dough.

Step 4: Assemble & Top with Cheese

Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the dough, spreading to coat the entire surface. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the butter, ensuring full coverage (including pan edges, where cheese will crisp).

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer the pan to the oven and bake 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and the bottom edges are crisp. The cheese should melt into a bubbly, golden layer. Pro Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C) for safety, though visual cues (golden top, crisp bottom) work too.

Step 6: Cool & Cut

Remove the pan and let the breadsticks rest 5 minutes (prevents crumbling). Use a spatula to loosen edges, then slide onto a cutting board. Cut lengthwise into 2 strips, then crosswise into 1-inch breadsticks.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy

Serve immediately with marinara, ranch, or both for dipping.

User Tips & Reviews

From community feedback:

• Cast Iron Alternative: "I used a well-seasoned iron skillet rubbed with olive oil and sprinkled with cornmeal. Perfection." (Crispier edges, extra flavor.)

• Cheese Quantity: "If it seems like way too much cheese... it's exactly enough cheese. Easy, cheesy, delicious!"

• Kid-Friendly: "Just made this with my 6-year-old. Fun and simple—great for kitchen newbies. Cooked in a cast-iron skillet!"

• Homemade Dough Hack: "For homemade dough, use 'oo pizza flour' (add 1 packet yeast, 1.5 cups warm water, 1 tsp salt, then flour until sticky). Rise in a sunny window for hours."

• Butter Adjustment: "Decrease the butter a bit—it was oilier than I prefer."

Private Notes

• For extra crispiness, bake on a rack (not pan bottom) if using a cast-iron skillet.

• Use low-moisture mozzarella for optimal stretch and melt; regular mozzarella works too, per user feedback.

Recipe yield: 12–16 breadsticks, serving 4–6.