These easy gluten free breadsticks are the perfect side dish or snack. Brushed with olive oil, salt, and herbs, they taste just like Olive Garden breadsticks, but with a chewier texture. Plus they're also dairy free, vegan, and ready in under one hour. So let's get to baking!
Have you ever had Olive Garden breadsticks? It's a good thing they're "never-ending" because they are just so dang tasty! My grandma always orders a fresh basket just before we leave, so she can take them home as a snack. Genius.
This gluten free breadsticks recipe isn't as airy and soft as the ones at Olive Garden. I personally like my homemade breadsticks with a little more substance to them. These are still soft, especially when they're warm from the oven, but they have a little more chew to them.
These breadsticks were inspired by my other bread recipes, and they taste great dipped in hot bowls of soup like vegetarian chili with beans, simple vegan chickpea soup, or butternut squash and leek soup.
Ingredients
For the Breadsticks
- Warm water - The water should be a comfortable warm temperature, between 105° and 115°F.
- Active dry yeast - This is different from instant yeast!
- Honey or granulated sugar - Adds a little fuel to feed the yeast and help them increase their activity.
- Gluten free flour blend - I usually use Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
- Salt - Brings out the doughy flavor of the breadsticks
- Garlic powder - Adds a savory, delicious taste
- Olive oil - Hydrates the dough
For the Topping
- Olive oil - Brushed on top to prevent the breadsticks from drying out in the oven
- Italian seasoning - Optional, but it adds a wonderful savory flavor
- Salt - Adds a little more salt to the top, just like Olive Garden's 😉
How to Make Gluten Free Garlic Breadsticks
Activate the Yeast: Heat the water in the microwave for about 45 seconds, until it is warm to the touch, but not quite hot. Gently stir in the active dry yeast and the honey or sugar. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes, until it becomes frothy on top.
Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the gluten free flour, salt and garlic powder.
Mix the Dough: Add the frothy yeast mixture and the 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix to combine until it forms a thick and sticky dough.
Shape the Breadsticks: Divide the dough into eight even-sized dough balls, and roll each ball into a log about 7 inches long. Place the logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Season and Rise: Brush the breadsticks with olive oil. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and salt on top. Let them rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Bake: Bake for about 14 to 16 minutes at 425°F, until they are golden. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Garlic and Parmesan Breadsticks - After brushing the breadsticks with olive oil, gently press minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese on top.
- Everything Bagel Breadsticks - After brushing with olive oil, sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top.
- Cheesy Breadsticks - After brushing with olive oil, liberally sprinkle shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack on top.
- Garlic Butter - Brush the unbaked breadsticks with melted butter mixed with garlic salt. Or to keep these breadsticks dairy free, use melted vegan butter.
What to Serve with Breadsticks
Honestly, these breadsticks taste amazing on their own. I've definitely been caught in the kitchen munching on one for a midday (or midnight) snack.
But these gluten free breadsticks also make a great side for homemade soups, chili, marina dipping sauce and homemade pasta like mac and cheese or beet ravioli.
Recipe Tips
- Use warm water. The water should be a comfortable warm temperature, between 105° and 115°F. If it's too hot, it could kill the yeast so your breadsticks won't rise. If the water is too cold, the yeast won't be as active.
- Let the yeast activate. Set the yeast, water and honey or sugar aside for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy on top. This gives the yeast time to wake up and begin feeding on the sugar, thus producing carbon dioxide to make the bread rise.
- Check the ingredients on your gluten free baking flour blend. If it doesn't contain xanthan gum, be sure to add that into the dry ingredients to ensure a soft texture.
- Note that different gluten free baking flour blends contain different ratios of ingredients, so they can sometimes produce different results. I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
Storing and Freezing
Room Temperature - Store breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Note that the breadsticks will dry out and harden after the first day, since they don't contain any preservatives.
Fridge - I don't recommend refrigerating your breadsticks, which will make them dry out.
Reheating - If your leftover breadsticks get a little hard, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. They'll soften & taste almost as good as when they're fresh!
Freezing - To freeze baked breadsticks, individually wrap them in aluminum foil and store them together in a freezer bag for up to 6 months.
More Gluten Free Baking Recipes
Looking for more delicious sweet and savory gluten free bakes? Try these! While I don't personally have celiac disease, some of my friends and family do. Which is why I love experimenting with the flavors and textures in gluten free recipes, to get staples like these breadsticks just right.
- Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Chewy Chocolate Corn Flour Cookies
- Gluten Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Chocolate Strawberry Macarons
- Vegan Cookie Dough Macarons
- Gluten Free Galette with Roasted Carrots
- Gluten Free Fortune Cookies
Gluten Free Breadsticks
Ingredients
Breadsticks
- 1 cup warm water
- 2¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon honey or granulated sugar
- 3 cups gluten free flour blend
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
Topping
- olive oil, for brushing
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the water in the microwave for about 45 seconds, until it is warm to the touch, but not hot. Gently stir in the active dry yeast and the honey or sugar. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes, until it becomes frothy on top.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the gluten free flour blend, salt and garlic powder.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture and the 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the flour mixture. Mix to combine and form a thick and sticky dough.
- Divide the dough into eight even-sized dough balls. Then roll each ball until it's about 7 inches long.Place the rolled-out dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the breadsticks with olive oil and sprinkle with the Italian seasoning and salt. Let them rise in a warm place for 20 minutes, like in the oven with the light on.
- Remove the dough from the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Bake for about 14 to 16 minutes, when they are golden on the outside and cooked through the center. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes. Enjoy!!
Notes
-
- Warm Water: The water should be a comfortable warm temperature, between 105° and 115°F.
-
- Active Yeast: Don't skip letting the yeast activate for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy on top.
-
- Xanthan Gum: If your gluten free baking blend doesn't contain xanthan gum, be sure to add that into the dry ingredients to ensure a soft texture.
-
- GF Flour: Different gluten free baking flour blends contain different ratios of ingredients, so they can sometimes produce different results. I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
- Storing: Store cooled breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I don't recommend refrigerating your breadsticks, which will make them dry out.
- Reheating: If your leftover breadsticks get a little hard, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Freezing: To freeze baked breadsticks, individually wrap them in aluminum foil and store them together in a freezer bag for up to 6 months.
Rachael
I am not GF but my cousin is, so I like to try to find recipes I can make when she comes for dinner. These worked perfectly! I used the tips for adding parmesan and garlic and they were so good!!!
Carissa Erzen
Yay I'm so glad! I have a cousin who is GF too, and I made these for them, and they loved them too! Cheers to baking for our cousins 😉
Maria
You had me at Olive Garden breadsticks ?? I love how easy these are to make! Thank you for all the recipe notes, they make baking these delicious breadsticks a smooth process!
Leeanne
I added parmesan on mine and they turned out delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Carissa Erzen
Yum that sounds delicious!
Jamie
Loved the texture of these! They're not as soft as Olive Garden's, but I really like the chewy texture. They were all eaten the same day I baked them!
Carissa Erzen
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Nisha
They are all such fantastic ideas , love savory breadsticks .Thanks for sharing .
strawberryandcream
Thank you for reading! I hope you get to try some of these combos!
alattaeats
Oh my. Looks amazing! What's the best GF flour for this?
strawberryandcream
Thank you!! I often use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free blend as a gf substitute and it works out great! A lot simpler than mixing all these starches and gums and other flours together 😉
alattaeats
Gotcha! Thank you 🙂
foodinbooks
Those look REALLY good. I love breadsticks, though I almost never eat them because I limit my carb intake. Those would be great to go with Christmas dinner, though.
strawberryandcream
Thank you! Sometimes I make them to share with family, so that way I can still eat a few but I'm not tempted to eat them ALL! 😋
strawberryandcream
Thank you!! 🥰
Markus + Micah
I think Markus would really enjoy this. Unfortunately we will not be able to find some of the ingredients here. It looks lovely though! Thank you for sharing.
strawberryandcream
I had to go to a couple stores to be able to find all these ingredients lol I found some at like a small health food store, but I'm sure online has it. Or you can always buy breadsticks to be able to try the different flavor combos 😋
Thehealthyrabbitsrecipes
Oh yum!
strawberryandcream
Thank you!! ☺ï¸
strawberryandcream
Hehe let me know if you try any of these flavor combos! 😉🥸
Yum-number1
NOM NOM NOMMMM 🤤