Indulge in the delightful aroma and flavor of freshly baked Parmesan garlic breadsticks with this easy-to-follow recipe. These golden-brown breadsticks are perfect as a side to your favorite pasta dishes or as a tasty appetizer for gatherings. The combination of Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and olive oil creates a mouthwatering treat that will leave everyone wanting more. With step-by-step instructions, you’ll have a batch of 32 breadsticks ready to enjoy in no time!
YIELD: Makes 32 breadsticks
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 teaspoons (6 grams) active dry yeast
- 2 cups warm water (105°F)
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 5¾ cups (571 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons (20 grams) salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Sprinkle the active dry yeast over ½ cup of warm water. Once the yeast becomes foamy, add the remaining ingredients. Mix the ingredients until they come together to form a shaggy dough, then turn it out onto your work surface.
- Place the mixing bowl over the dough and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Knead the dough until you can form a gluten window—this indicates that the gluten has developed sufficiently. Transfer the dough to a well-oiled bowl, spin it three times, and flip it.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise until it doubles in size, which should take approximately 1 hour.
- Gently ease the risen dough from the bowl onto your work surface. Divide it into four equal portions and shape each portion into a rectangle. Then, further divide each rectangle into eight strips to form the breadsticks.
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 5 minutes. After resting, roll each piece into a long strip, approximately 16 inches in length.
- Place the breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel, and allow them to rest for another 30 minutes.
- While the breadsticks are rising, preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Just before baking, brush the breadsticks lightly with olive oil to give them a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake the breadsticks for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they turn a delicious golden brown. For an added crunch, mist them lightly with water before placing them in the oven.
TIPS:
- Ensure that the water used to activate the yeast is at the right temperature (105°F). Water that’s too hot can kill the yeast, while water that’s too cold may not activate it properly.
- Letting the dough rest and rise is essential for achieving a light and fluffy texture in the breadsticks. Allow the dough to double in size during the rising process for the best results.
- When shaping the dough into strips, make sure to roll them evenly to create uniform breadsticks that bake evenly and look appealing.
- For a touch of extra flavor and crunch, mist the breadsticks lightly with water before baking. This helps create a crispier exterior while keeping the interior soft and fluffy.
With the inviting aroma of Parmesan and garlic filling your kitchen, these homemade breadsticks are sure to become a family favorite. Whether you serve them alongside your favorite Italian dishes or as a scrumptious snack, these Parmesan garlic breadsticks will be a hit with everyone!
