The best homemade gluten-free breadsticks recipe will make you forget those soft Olive Garden breadsticks ever existed! This extra easy recipe with a garlic topping is not only gluten-free (with dairy-free option), but uses the simplest prep and baking method even a GF novice can pull these off with success!

breadsticks stacked on a white plate with parsley

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Better Than Olive Garden! Gluten-Free Breadsticks

Enjoy soft, Olive Garden-style breadsticks again with this easy gluten-free recipe. These breadsticks are so good, my family was fooled into thinking they were traditional rather than gluten-free!

These garlic breadsticks based off another reader’s favorite, a combination of gluten-free bread recipe and gluten-free garlic knots. Just like the bread recipe, the ingredients are simple, kitchen-staples, and it comes together in a matter of minutes!

Since homemade gluten-free breadsticks have a brief rise time, you can be enjoying soft parmesan garlic bread in less than 45 minutes start to finish!

Crazy easy! My non-GF husband has declared these the “go-to bread for company”, so that’s as big of a win as I could ask for.

—Caitlyn

Ingredient Tid Bits

Gluten-free garlic breadsticks use ingredients I always have on hand so they are perfect side dish to throw together with my never-mushy gluten-free lasagna, soups, baked ziti, salad, tender homemade gluten-free meatballs, or this 10-minute silky gluten-free alfredo sauce.

  • Gluten-free flour blend – Using the best gluten-free flour makes or breaks the quality of the bread. I tested the recipe with different flour blends to make sure it consistently turns out, but some performed handedly better than others. My preferred brand I use for all gluten-free baking recipes is Cup4Cup, which includes xanthan gum.
  • Psyllium Husk Powder – I’ve made the bread multiples with and without the psyllium husk powder. It doesn’t affect the taste, but it does help maintain moisture, adds softness, and elasticity. I do suggest using a lighter colored brand, or the breadsticks will bake a weirdly purplish color. It doesn’t affect the taste, but my favorite brand to use is linked.
  • Instant (Rapid Rise) Yeast – I would suggest buying this is bulk and storing in your refrigerator. If you use active dry yeast it will have to be activated in the warm water first.
  • Eggs – Room temperature. Do do this quickly, I place the eggs in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes before breaking and using.
  • Olive Oil  – Or substitute the same amount of vegetable oil or melted butter.

Watch The Recipe

Let’s Make This Together!

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

Easy peasy dump and mix dough

This is where gluten-free bread recipes win out. No kneading necessary! Just mix together the dry ingredients then add the eggs, oil, and water.

Mix on low speed to let the dough come together. Then increase the speed and beat for 5 minutes. This helps hydrate the GF starches so the breadsticks are nice and soft.

The batter will be slightly thick, like brownie batter (see pic below), which is totally fine! These don’t have to be rolled or shaped so we don’t need a stiff dough.

the ingredients in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer.
what the batter looks like after it is mixed together.

Simple shaping method and bake

A looser dough means softer breadsticks, put we also need a way to get them on the baking sheet! Place a gallon ziplock bag in a bowl and fold over sides so it’s open. Use two silicone spoons to scrape the dough into the bag.

Snipe off a 1-inch corner so you have a makeshift piping bag. Be sure to not cut too big of a corner, or you will have large breadsticks. Pipe 6-inch long breadsticks onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart.

Let it rise for about 15 minutes while the oven preheats then bake for 15-17 minutes. While they’re baking combine the garlic butter topping, brush on, and enjoy immensely!

the dough being placed in a ziplock bag.
the breadstick dough being piped out through a plastic ziplock bag.

Parmesan Garlic Topping & Yummy Alternatives

The garlic breadstick topping is reminiscent of my local pizzeria’s famous garlic knots with parmesan cheese and seasoning. However, there are many ways to flavor these soft breadsticks!

First top with melted butter or olive oil, then sprinkle on one of the toppings listed below. Of course don’t forget the dipping! Check out this easy recipe for gluten-free soft pretzels for my favorite GF dips.

For a dairy-free option, omit the parmesan cheese and substitute olive oil for the melted butter. I’ve also topped them with sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or nutritional yeast, which also works well for a DF / GF recipe.

a brush putting on butter on the breadsticks

Do I Need A Stand Mixer?

Yes and no. It definitely makes the recipe easier to throw together. It may be done with a hand held mixer, but since it uses a large amount of flour, it will be a lot more taxing on the mixer and yourself. If you have a bread maker, that also works well for mixing the dough together.

Best Way to Tell When They Are Done Baking

I highly recommend using an instant read thermometer to check the temperature when baking any recipe in my gluten-free bread recipe collection. Typically, the bread will “look” done before it’s actually done adequately baking.

If you pull the bread too soon the liquids won’t have time to evaporate and it will be gummy and dense, instead of soft and fluffy. 

The internal temperature should reach 195-205ºF. Checking quickly with an instant read thermometer will help the bread retain valuable heat while the temp is being read. A Thermoworks Thermapen does this efficiently and accurately. It’s seriously one of my favorite kitchen tools!

a breadstick with a bite taken out of it facing straight on

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breadsticks stacked on a white plate with parsley
4.74 stars (89 ratings)

Softest Gluten-Free Breadsticks (Impossibly Easy)

Melissa Erdelac of MamaGourmand headshot in patterned dress.Melissa Erdelac
Yield: 13
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
The best homemade gluten-free breadsticks recipe will make you forget those soft Olive Garden breadsticks ever existed! This extra easy recipe with a garlic topping is not only gluten-free (with dairy-free option), but uses the simplest prep and baking method even a GF novice can pull these off with success!
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Ingredients
 

Garlic Parmesan Topping

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, mix together the gluten-free flour, sugar, yeast, psyllium husk powder, baking powder, and salt on low speed until combined.
    3 cups gluten-free all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 packet (2 ½ tsp) instant rapid rise yeast, 1 tablespoon psyllium husk powder , 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Add warm water, eggs, and olive oil. Mix on low speed to let the dough come together, about 1 minute.
    1 ½ cups warm water (110°F), 2 large eggs, ¼ cup olive oil
  • Increase speed to medium and beat for 5 minutes, scraping down paddle and bowl halfway through. The batter will be slightly thick, like brownie batter.
  • image showing how to scoop the dough into a bag
    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place a gallon ziplock bag in a bowl and fold over sides so it’s open. Use two silicone spoons to scrape the dough into the bottom of the bag. Push all the dough to the bottom, squeeze excess air from the top, and twist to close. You don't have to worry about "zipping" it close because the twisting keeps the dough from escaping out the top.
  • image showing how to pipe out the dough
    Snipe off a 1-inch corner of the bag so you have a makeshift piping bag. Be sure to not cut too big of a corner, or you will have large breadsticks. Pipe 6-inch long breadsticks onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2-inches apart. You may need a second baking sheet to fit all the dough.
  • Set the pan in a warm, draft-free place to rise for about 15 minutes while the oven preheats oven to 375°F.
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned and the internal temperature of the bread reaches 190-200°F.
  • While the breadsticks are baking combine the topping ingredients. Immediately brush on the topping when they come out of the oven. Serve immediately or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
    1 ½ tablespoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt, ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Notes

 
Dairy-free Option
For the garlic topping, omit the parmesan cheese and substitute olive oil for the melted butter. Instead of parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast may be used.
 
best tips and tricks
  1. The size of snipped off corner is important. The first time I made these I cut off too much and the breadsticks were huge! Error on going smaller and you can always snipe off more. Remember they will rise slightly in the oven.
  2. Brush on the garlic butter immediately when you pull them from the oven.
  3. These are best served warm, but if you need to make them ahead, wrap cooled breadsticks in a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
  4. For make-ahead breadsticks, they can also be baked, cooled, and frozen until ready to serve. Thaw at room temperature for 1 hour before rewarming.
 
freezing, storing, and rewarming
For best results, enjoy the breadsticks immediately or within the day. If you need to rewarm them, wrap the breadsticks in a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
For oven rewarming, wrap the breadsticks in foil and place in a 350ºF oven for 5-7 minutes.
Leftover breadsticks may also be frozen. Wrap each individually and transfer to a ziplock freezer bag. Freeze up to three months.
Calories: 164kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 29mg, Sodium: 258mg, Potassium: 44mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 84IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1mg
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