Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself craving those soft, buttery breadsticks from Pizza Hut, well, you’re in luck. Today, I’m sharing my tried-and-true Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe that brings those golden, garlicky delights right into your kitchen. I absolutely love how these turn out—soft inside, perfectly chewy, and loaded with that herby buttery goodness. If you’ve ever wondered how to get them just right, stick with me, and I promise you’ll be making these favorites for your family and friends in no time!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe plays a part in delivering that iconic softness and flavor. Using bread flour gives you the perfect chew, while a blend of butter and herbs creates that mouthwatering topping you’ll want to slather on fresh out of the oven.

• Bread Flour: Using bread flour is key for the perfect chewy texture—stay away from all-purpose for this one.
• Yeast: Active dry yeast helps the dough rise beautifully, so make sure it’s fresh.
• Salt: Adds necessary flavor to balance the sweetness and herbs.
• Granulated Sugar: Just a touch to feed the yeast for that signature rise.
• Unsalted Butter: Two uses here—one in the dough for richness, and another melted with herbs for the topping.
• Warm Water & Warm Milk: Both warmed to about 105°F to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Dried Onion Powder: Adds an onion-y depth to the herbed butter topping.
• Dried Oregano, Basil, & Garlic Powder: Classic Italian herbs that create that irresistible flavor mixture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled over the top for an extra savory kick and texture contrast.

Variations

While I love the classic version of this Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe, I’ve played around with a few tweaks depending on the mood or dietary needs. Feel free to let your creativity run wild!

• Cheesy Breadsticks: My family goes crazy when I add shredded mozzarella right on top before baking—it gets all melty and gooey.
• Spicy Kick: Toss a pinch of red pepper flakes into the herbed butter for a little heat that wakes up your taste buds.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap in a gluten-free bread flour blend that works for yeast doughs—just be sure to follow your blend’s instructions for hydration.
• Fresh Herb Upgrade: When fresh herbs are in season, I like chopping basil and oregano to mix into the butter for a fresher, brighter flavor.

How to Make Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dough to Perfection

Start by adding your bread flour, yeast, salt, sugar, melted butter, warm water, and warm milk into the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. I always make sure my liquids are right around 105 degrees Fahrenheit—that sweet spot helps the yeast come to life without dying off. Mix on low to combine everything, then crank it up to a higher speed. Keep the mixer going until you have a smooth, elastic dough. This could take anywhere from 5-8 minutes depending on your mixer, so don’t rush—you want that stretchy texture that should bounce back when poked.

Step 2: First Rise for Fluffy Goodness

After your dough comes together, transfer it to a greased large bowl—I usually use a drizzle of olive oil to keep things non-stick. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and put it in a warm spot; I often turn on my oven’s proof setting or just set it nearby a sunny window. Let it rise for about an hour or until it doubles in size. The transformation is honestly fun to watch and it’s when the dough gains that big fluffy personality.

Step 3: Shape Your Breadsticks

Once risen, punch down the dough gently and roll it out on a floured surface to an 18×13 inch rectangle. Transfer this to a baking sheet of the same size. I like to use a pizza cutter to score the dough — cut once lengthwise down the middle, then slice it crosswise 10 times. This creates 20 breadsticks perfect for pulling apart after baking. Cover again and let these shaped breadsticks rise for another 30 to 60 minutes. This second rising gives them that extra fluff and lightness you want.

Step 4: Prepare the Herbed Butter Topping

While the dough is rising for the second time, whisk together 2 tablespoons melted butter, dried onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, basil, and a bit of salt. This herbed butter is what makes these breadsticks so irresistible. The aroma alone will have your family hovering in the kitchen.

Step 5: Bake and Dress to Impress

Preheat your oven to 470°F. Before sliding the breadsticks in, brush the dough generously with 2 tablespoons of melted butter—this locks in moisture and sets the stage for that golden crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re beautifully puffed and slightly browned. When they come out, brush immediately with the herbed butter mixture and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Then, finish slicing all the way through the scored lines. Serve these warm with a side of marinara for dipping—trust me, dipping makes heaven on a plate.

How to Serve Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra Parmesan or even some chopped fresh parsley on top right before serving to brighten it up visually and flavor-wise. A dash of red pepper flakes gets passed around for those who want a bit of heat, adding a nice contrast.

Side Dishes

Marinara sauce for dipping is an absolute must for me. On the side, I’ll often serve a big garden salad or my quick roasted broccoli with lemon. These breadsticks are basically the perfect companion to any Italian meal or even a cozy movie night snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arranging the breadsticks standing up around a bowl of marinara (kind of like a breadstick bouquet) is always a crowd-pleaser. I also love slicing a few and putting them on a charcuterie board alongside cheeses, olives, and meats for a fun appetizer twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I wrap leftover breadsticks tightly in foil or place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They stay pretty soft for a couple of days, making for quick after-school snacks or late-night bites.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing both the dough and baked breadsticks. For dough, freeze it on a baking sheet until firm, then pop it in a ziplock bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and let it rise a bit before shaping. Baked breadsticks freeze well too if you keep them without the herbed butter and Parmesan—it’s best to add those fresh after reheating.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, pop breadsticks in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes wrapped in foil so they don’t dry out. Then brush with fresh herbed butter and sprinkle Parmesan immediately for that fresh-from-the-oven feeling.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

When I first tried making these Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks, I was honestly shocked how close they tasted to the real thing. The double rise and herb butter combo are game changers and totally worth the little extra time. Once you get the hang of this recipe, it’s a keeper—you can whip it up for weeknight dinners, parties, or whenever that buttery-garlic craving hits. Trust me, once you try this, you won’t want to order breadsticks from anywhere else!

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