Vegan Breadsticks (Olive Garden Inspired)

Vegan Breadsticks
(Olive Garden Inspired)

When we think Italian side munching items, our mind wonders to breadsticks. Its not only perfect to sop up leftover sauce but great for dunking in your soup. It is a staple at many restaurants and a free item we indulge in from time to time before our meal. This recipe tries to replicate those same breadsticks we may be familiar with from our none vegan days. Hearty and savory, these breadsticks will have you forgetting the main dish and having your family dreaming of breadsticks. Serve along side your favorite main dish or with a hearty lunch of soup and salad. Served great warm or cold, enjoy!

Vegan Breadsticks 

(Olive Garden Inspired)

Ingredients

Breadstick Dough
1 package active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups hot water (110 to 115 Degrees), plus 1/4 Tbsp more if needed
4 1/4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour, plus more for dusting
2 Tablespoons unsalted vegan butter, softened
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon fine salt

Topping
5 Tablespoons unsalted vegan butter, melted (If salted, add less salt)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 to 2 teaspoon garlic powder, (Depends on how garlicky you want them)

Directions

Breadstick Dough
In a large bowl, dissolve half the sugar and yeast in warm water and allow to sit for 10 minutes to bloom. Mixture should be frothy when finished with lots of foam from bubbles.

Bloomed Yeast

In separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and the remaining half of sugar. Add the flour mixture to a stand mixer (or it can be done by hand). Add your vegan butter to yeast mixture once its bloomed and set aside to add to the flour. Fit your mixer with paddle attachment and slowly your yeast to the flour to incorporate and combined.

Flour Mixture

Knead dough for a few minutes just until dough is smooth. DO NOT over knead!

Kneading Dough

Formed Dough
(Still sticky, if still sticky add a little more flour and if dry add a little water until combined)

Grease two cookie sheets. Pull off pieces of dough and roll out into strips, this makes 10 to 15 (depending on your breadstick size). Cover the dough with a towel and let sit in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour.

Pre-Risen Breadsticks

Risen Breadsticks: Before
(I remolded them out a bit more after rising to make a better shape)

Risen Pre-Baked Breadsticks: After

Heat your oven to 400 Degrees and once heated, pop in the bread sticks. Cooking time instructions below.

Topping
In microwave, combine the the vegan unsalted butter, 1 to 2 teaspoons garlic powder and 1 teaspoons salt.

After bread sticks have cooked for 6 or 7 minutes, brush the breadsticks with half the vegan butter mixture. Then continue to bake for 5 to 8 more minutes. After the 5 to 8 minutes, remove the breadsticks from the oven and brush with the remaining vegan butter topping. Allow to cool before eating, serve with your favorite main dishes. Enjoy!

Finished Vegan Breadsticks

-Amy