Thank you so much for stopping by — it seriously means a lot to share this comfort-food classic with you. These Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks are soft, buttery, and loaded with gooey cheese — the kind of recipe that makes everyone hover by the oven, waiting for the first pull-apart piece.
They’re perfect for pizza night, pasta dinners, soup season, or honestly just as a cozy snack with marinara. Once you make them from scratch, you’ll never want the frozen kind again!
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What Are Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks?
These are soft, pillowy breadsticks made with a simple homemade dough, topped with shredded mozzarella and garlic butter, then baked until golden and melty. They’re brushed with even more garlic butter out of the oven for that classic pizzeria flavor — minus the delivery fee.
It’s homemade meets takeout vibes… and it’s everything.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, bakery-style dough that’s easy to make
- Melted cheese in every bite
- Garlic butter finish = flavor overload
- Freezer-friendly and great for prep-ahead meals
- Loved by kids and adults alike
What They Taste Like
They’re warm, cheesy, buttery, and full of flavor. The inside is soft and fluffy, while the top is golden with bubbling cheese. Every bite is satisfying and comforting — perfect dipped in marinara or served as the ultimate side to almost anything.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Topping:
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup cheddar or Parmesan (optional)
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: pinch of flaky salt or red pepper flakes
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or stand mixer
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
- Clean kitchen towel
Ingredient Swaps & Additions
- Use store-bought pizza dough for a shortcut
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor (like in this Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese)
- Try different cheeses like provolone, fontina, or gouda
- Spice it up with crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños
Want to make it a full comfort food spread? Pair these breadsticks with hearty, flavor-packed dishes like Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes or go all in with this gooey Pizza Monkey Bread — anything but boring!!
How to Make Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead until smooth (5–7 minutes by hand or mixer).
- Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled.
- Roll dough into a rectangle (about 9×13″) on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with melted butter, sprinkle garlic, seasoning, and cheeses over the top.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Brush with extra garlic butter (optional but YES), slice into sticks, and serve warm!
What to Serve With Cheesy Breadsticks
These play nice with everything:
- Marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli for dipping
- Tomato soup or creamy chowders
- Pasta night or even a grilled protein
- Pair with Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese for the ultimate melt-on-melt meal
- Serve alongside Pizza Monkey Bread at your next game day party
- Add a comforting side like Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes for a flavor-packed plate
Tips for Perfect Breadsticks
- Let the dough rise fully — this gives you that pillowy texture
- Use parchment for easy cleanup and crisp bottoms
- Add more cheese than you think (trust me!)
- For extra flair, sprinkle with parsley or Parmesan before serving
Storage & Reheating
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes
- Freeze after baking — wrap tightly and reheat straight from frozen
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep and refrigerate the dough, then bake fresh the next day.
What’s the best cheese for breadsticks?
Mozzarella is classic, but provolone, fontina, or even sharp cheddar are great too.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend — results may be slightly denser.
What dipping sauces go best?
Marinara, garlic butter, ranch, pesto… or all of the above!
Let’s Wrap This Up
These Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks are your new go-to for easy, cozy, crowd-pleasing sides. Whether it’s for pizza night, soup season, or just because carbs + cheese = joy, you’ll be making these again and again.
Looking for more crave-worthy, cheesy comfort? Try:
- Pizza Monkey Bread – perfect for parties or sharing
- Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes – creamy, savory, and loaded with flavor
- Sun-Dried Tomato Grilled Cheese – bold, melty, and full of herby flavor
📌 Made these? Loved them? Tag your cheesy creations on Pinterest at TheKitchenJoyy! I’d love to see your golden, melty breadsticks — and what you paired them with! 🧄🧀🥖
Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks
These Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks are soft, buttery, and loaded with melty cheese. Made from a simple scratch dough, brushed with garlicky butter, and baked until golden — they’re perfect for pizza night, soups, pasta, or dipping into your favorite sauce. Warm, cheesy comfort in every bite!
- For the Dough:
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- For the Topping:
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup cheddar or Gruyère cheese (optional, for flavor boost)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or flaky salt
- In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil until dough comes together. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 9×13″). Transfer to the baking sheet.
- Brush dough with melted butter, sprinkle garlic and Italian seasoning evenly. Top with mozzarella and other cheese if using.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown.
- Brush with more butter if desired. Slice into breadsticks and serve warm with marinara, ranch, or garlic sauce!
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Mozzarella is classic, but feel free to play with cheddar, Gruyère, or even Munster cheese for a fun twist.
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Let the dough rise fully — it’s the key to soft, fluffy breadsticks.
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Freezer tip: Freeze baked breadsticks and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
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Make it spicy: Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes before baking!
