Soft Breadsticks
Soft, golden breadsticks with a crisp exterior and tender interior, perfect for snacking or accompanying pasta dishes. Their subtle yeasty flavor and light texture make them a versatile addition to any meal, appealing to bread lovers and those seeking warm, freshly baked treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Add sugar, salt, and oil; stir until dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of flour and beat until smooth.
- Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 12 portions.
- Roll each portion into a 10 x 1/2-inch rope.
- Place 1-inch apart on a greased baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.
- Let rise, uncovered, until doubled, about 40 to 60 minutes.
- Beat egg white and water; brush over breadsticks.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Place baking sheet on middle rack of oven and a large shallow pan filled with boiling water on the lowest rack.
- Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Brush again with egg white and bake 5 minutes longer or until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For softer breadsticks, ensure your yeast is fresh and properly activated in warm water. You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. If you want to add a twist, consider mixing in some garlic powder or dried herbs to the dough. For an extra touch, try brushing the tops with melted butter instead of egg white before baking.
Serving Suggestions
These soft breadsticks are perfect as a side for soups and salads, or as an appetizer with marinara sauce or garlic butter for dipping. They pair beautifully with Acorn Squash Casserole, adding a comforting touch to your meal. For a fun twist, serve them alongside Peach Cookies for a delightful dessert contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through. This keeps them soft and delicious.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Soft Breadsticks contains roughly 330 calories, with 8g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 645mg per serving (28% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add cheese to the breadsticks?
Absolutely! Shredded cheese can be mixed into the dough for added flavor. Parmesan or mozzarella would work well. Alternatively, you can sprinkle cheese on top before the final bake for a cheesy crust. Just keep in mind that this may change the baking time slightly.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).