Soft Gluten-Free Breadsticks (Extra Easy)

The best homemade gluten-free breadsticks recipe will make you forget those soft Olive Garden breadsticks ever existed! This easy recipe with a garlic topping is not only gluten-free, but dairy-free as well!

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!

Ingredient Notes

Gluten-free garlic breadsticks use ingredients I always have on hand so they are perfect side dish to throw together with gluten-free lasagna, soups, meatless baked ziti, salad, gluten-free meatballs, or gluten-free alfredo. Or, simply dunk in a marinara dipping sauce to enjoy with gluten-free pizza!

• 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. You can read more about the benefits of gluten-free baking with psyllium husk here.
• Instant (Rapid Rise) Yeast – I would suggest buying this is bulk and storing in your refrigerator.
• 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.

how to make gluten-free breadsticks

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

1. Using a stand mixer, mix together the dry ingredients – gluten-free flour, sugar, yeast, optional psyllium husk powder, baking powder, and salt on low speed until combined.
2. Add the warm water, eggs, and olive oil. Mix on low speed to let the dough come together, about 1 minute. Then increase the speed and beat for 5 minutes. The batter will be slightly thick, like brownie batter.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Place a quart ziplock bag in a medium bowl and fold over sides so it’s open. Use two silicone spoons to scrape the breadstick dough into the bottom of the bag.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. While the breadsticks are baking combine the topping ingredients – melted butter, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Immediately brush on the topping when they come out of the oven.

parmesan GARLIC breadstick topping & alternatives

The garlic breadstick topping is reminiscent of my local pizzeria’s famous garlic knots with parmesan cheese and seasoning. However, like gluten-free bagels, 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.

• Dairy-Free – Omit the parmesan cheese and substitute olive oil for the melted butter.
• Sesame seeds
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Nutritional yeast

gluten-free garlic knots

There are a few options for making garlic knots with this dough. First of all, follow this recipe for authentic gluten-free garlic knots to make them just like a pizzeria!

To make them without rolling or shaping, instead of piping into long logs, pipe the dough into 2-inch balls and bake 16-18 minutes.

Alternatively, skip the piping all together and simply scrape 2-inch spoonfuls onto the prepared pan. They may not look as uniformly round, but they will still taste amazing!

freezing, storing, and rewarming

Gluten-free breadsticks do not have the shelf life like normal bread. Refrigerating will dry them out, and is not recommended.

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.

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.

Can I make Gluten-Free Breadsticks Dairy-free?

Yes. The breadstick recipe is already dairy-free so you do not need to make any changes there. However, the recommended flour, Cup4Cup, does contain milk powder. For dairy-free breadsticks I recommend using King Arthur Measure-for-Measure gf flour.

For the garlic topping, omit the parmesan cheese and substitute olive oil for the melted butter.

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.

How to tell when breadsticks are done baking

I highly recommend using an instant read thermometer to check the temperature when baking gluten-free bread recipes. 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 195ºF. 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.

Do I have to add Psyllium Husk Powder?

No. I’ve made these with and without the psyllium husk powder. It doesn’t affect the taste, but it does help maintain moisture and gives an extra boost of softness and elasticity so I highly recommend it for best results.

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