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Soft, fluffy, and made with simple pantry ingredients, these easy homemade breadsticks (or dinner rolls) are a reliable recipe you can use again and again. One versatile yeast dough can be shaped into classic breadsticks perfect for pasta nights, soups, or holiday meals — or into tender dinner rolls when you need a cozy side. Whether you’re baking for a weeknight dinner or a celebration, this recipe is beginner-friendly and consistently delicious.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Homemade Breadsticks
- One dough makes both breadsticks and dinner rolls
- Soft, fluffy texture with a light golden top
- Simple pantry ingredient base
- Great with soups, pasta, and comfort food meals
- Easy enough for beginners and reliable every time
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- ⅓ cup oil
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 TBSP rapid yeast
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 TBSP softened butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2–3 TBSP milk (for brushing), optional
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Stand mixer with dough hook – My top recommendation is the KitchenAid mixer — it’s the one tool I use almost daily and worth the investment for the years of use you’ll get from it. It makes mixing and kneading much easier, though you can knead by hand if needed.
- Mixing bowls – For combining and rising the dough
- Large Sheet Pans – For baking breadsticks
- Silicone Baking Mat – I have this one and I use it all the time! Having a silicone mat makes it easy to divide your dough evenly, prevents dough from sticking and makes cleanup easy. This is a must have for cinnamon rolls and pie crusts too!
- Clean kitchen towel – For covering dough during rising
- Pastry brush (optional) – I like a silicone pastry brush because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t shed bristles. This one from OXO is my go-to for brushing butter, milk, and sauces.
How to Make Easy Homemade Breadsticks
This dough is designed to be soft and forgiving, which is why it works so well for both breadsticks and dinner rolls. The combination of oil, egg, and butter creates a rich dough that stays tender after baking, rather than drying out like lean bread doughs sometimes do.
Activating the yeast in warm liquid ensures the dough rises properly and develops that light, fluffy texture everyone loves in homemade bread. When the yeast becomes bubbly, it signals that the dough will have enough lift to bake up soft instead of dense.
The key to the texture is keeping the dough on the softer side. A slightly tacky dough may feel counterintuitive, but it bakes up lighter and more tender than a stiff, heavily floured dough. As the flour is incorporated, the dough should feel smooth and elastic, not tight or dry.
Kneading develops the gluten structure that allows the dough to stretch and trap air. This is what gives the breadsticks their pillowy interior and helps them rise evenly in the oven.
Allowing the dough to rest and rise gives the yeast time to build air pockets throughout the dough. Even a short rise dramatically improves the final texture, creating breadsticks that are fluffy rather than compact.
Because this is a versatile dough, it can be shaped to fit the meal. Rolling the pieces into logs creates classic breadsticks, while shaping them into rounds produces soft dinner rolls using the same recipe.
A final rest after shaping allows the dough to relax and expand one last time before baking. This prevents the breadsticks from baking up tight or heavy.
Brushing the tops lightly with milk encourages gentle browning, while baking at 400°F gives the dough enough heat to rise quickly and set into a soft, golden loaf in just 10–12 minutes.
For Breadsticks:
Roll each piece into logs and place them on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with a clean, dry towel and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes–1 hour.
For Dinner Rolls:
Roll the pieces into balls and place them in a greased 9×13″ baking dish. Cover with a clean, dry towel and let rise for 30 minutes–1 hour.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintEasy Homemade Breadsticks (or Dinner Rolls)
Soft, fluffy dinner rolls or classic breadsticks made with simple pantry ingredients. This easy yeast dough comes together quickly and is perfect for family dinners, holidays, or serving alongside soups and pastas.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Rise Time: 1-2 hours
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 18 rolls
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- ⅓ cup oil
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 TBSP rapid yeast
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 TBSP softened butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2-3 TBSP milk (for brushing) optional
Instructions
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, oil, sugar, and yeast. Let sit until the yeast becomes bubbly, about 8 minutes.
-
Add softened butter, beaten egg, and salt. Stir until combined.
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Using a bread hook (or mixing by hand), add flour one cup at a time until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
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Knead with the stand mixer for 5 minutes, or by hand for about 10 minutes.
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Remove the bowl and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes-1 hour (optional, but recommended for fluffier rolls).
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Divide into 18 even balls, I do this by rolling dough into an even log about 18 inches long and cut into 1-inch pieces.
For Breadsticks:
7. Roll pieces into logs and place onto a large sheet pan or two baking sheets covered in parchment paper. Cover with a clean, dry towel and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes-1 hour.
For Dinner Rolls:
7. Roll pieces into balls and place in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover with a clean, dry towel and let rise for 30 minutes-1 hour.
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During the rise, preheat oven to 400°F.
-
Lightly brush tops with milk and bake on the middle rack for 10–12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Notes
Optional Garlic Butter Topping
- Melt some of our homemade garlic butter and brush over rolls– or simply mix 2 tbsp butter and mix with ¼ teaspoon garlic salt.
- Brush over warm breadsticks or rolls.
Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese after baking if desired.
Makes approximately 18 rolls or breadsticks.
Dough can be shaped immediately if short on time, but rising improves texture.
Optional Garlic Butter Topping
- Melt 2 TBSP Garlic Butter
- Brush over warm breadsticks or rolls.
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
What to Serve With These Breadsticks
These homemade breadsticks pair beautifully with:
- Pasta like spaghetti or our Easy homemade lasagna
- Creamy Soups
- Salad and grilled dishes
- Dipping sauces (marinara, garlic butter)
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Dough can be made earlier in the day and baked when needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven to restore softness.
Final Thoughts
This is one of those bread recipes that earns a permanent spot in your recipe box. Whether you choose to shape the dough into soft dinner rolls or classic breadsticks, it’s simple, reliable, and perfect for everyday family meals and special occasions alike.
If you make it please consider leaving a review and tell us how you served it!
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