There’s something magical about homemade cheesy breadsticks fresh from the oven. For me, they bring back memories of family pizza nights, when my grandmother would whip up a batch of warm, fluffy breadsticks brushed with garlic butter and piled high with melting cheese. The aroma alone was enough to gather the entire family around the table.

These Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks are inspired by that same comforting tradition — a simple scratch-made dough, brushed with garlicky butter, and topped with a generous layer of mozzarella (with a touch of cheddar or Gruyère if you like an extra flavor kick). Whether you’re serving them alongside pasta, a hearty soup, or simply dunking them in marinara, these breadsticks promise warm, cheesy comfort in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks

• Soft and fluffy on the inside with a lightly crisp, cheesy crust
• Perfect for pizza night, dipping sauces, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Easily adaptable to your favorite cheeses and seasonings
• Quick rise dough so you can have them on the table in just over an hour

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Topping:

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese (optional for flavor boost)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or flaky salt for finishing

How to Make Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active and ready to create a soft, fluffy dough.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a stand mixer for 5–7 minutes, until the dough is smooth, soft, and elastic.

Cover the dough with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape and Assemble

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 9×13 inches. Place it on the prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture evenly over the dough, making sure to reach the edges for maximum flavor.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, and add the optional cheddar or Gruyère if desired.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake the breadsticks for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown around the edges. If you like, you can brush them with more melted butter straight out of the oven for extra richness.

Allow them to cool slightly, then slice into breadsticks and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions

These cheesy breadsticks are incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways to enjoy them:

• Pizza Night: Serve alongside pepperoni pizza for the ultimate cheesy feast
• Soups: Dunk them into creamy tomato soup or minestrone
• Pasta Dishes: Pair with spaghetti Bolognese or fettuccine Alfredo
• Party Appetizer: Serve with a variety of dips like marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli

Tips for Perfect Cheesy Breadsticks

• Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for best melting
• Brush the dough generously with garlic butter to infuse flavor all the way through
• Let the dough rise fully so the breadsticks bake up soft and fluffy
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
• Don’t overbake — keep an eye on the cheese to avoid burning

Storage & Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the breadsticks on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5–7 minutes to bring back the gooey, fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

Can I freeze these breadsticks?
Yes! Bake them, let them cool, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven straight from frozen at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes.

Can I make them gluten-free?
You can use a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary since gluten helps develop the chewy texture.

What other cheeses can I use?
Parmesan, provolone, or fontina are all excellent additions.

Let’s Stay Connected

If you try these Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Feel free to leave a comment, or tag me on social media — your creations make my day!

The Goods

Homemade Cheesy Breadsticks

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Make these homemade cheesy breadsticks with garlic butter and melty mozzarella. Soft, fluffy, and perfect for dipping or pizza night.

Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Recipes

For the Dough:

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
• 1 cup warm water about 110°F
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Topping:

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese optional for flavor boost
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or flaky salt for finishing

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

• In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active and ready to create a soft, fluffy dough.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a stand mixer for 5–7 minutes, until the dough is smooth, soft, and elastic.
• Cover the dough with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape and Assemble

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 9×13 inches. Place it on the prepared baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Brush this mixture evenly over the dough, making sure to reach the edges for maximum flavor.
• Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, and add the optional cheddar or Gruyère if desired.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

• Bake the breadsticks for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown around the edges. If you like, you can brush them with more melted butter straight out of the oven for extra richness.
• Allow them to cool slightly, then slice into breadsticks and serve warm.