✔ Updated · step photos, the breadstick seasoning and marinara
These copycat Pizza Hut breadsticks are soft and pillowy inside, crisp and buttery underneath, with a Parmesan garlic herb seasoning on top. The secret is baking the dough in a pan of melted butter, just like a pan pizza.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Bake the dough in a generous pool of melted butter. It fries the bottom of the breadsticks into that crisp, golden pan-pizza crust.
Why You'll Love These Breadsticks
- Crisp, buttery bottoms, from baking the dough right in a buttered pan.
- That seasoning, a Parmesan, garlic and herb blend you'll want on everything.
- Two pans, 20 sticks, plus a simmered marinara for dunking.
What Makes Pizza Hut-Style Breadsticks Different?
Most breadsticks are rolled into ropes and baked on a sheet. These are baked as a slab in a pan with melted butter, like a pan pizza, then cut into sticks. That's why the bottoms are crisp and golden while the insides stay soft and fluffy.
The Parmesan, garlic and herb seasoning goes on after baking, while the butter is still hot, so it clings to every stick.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Bread flour for chew. Its extra protein gives that soft but slightly chewy texture. All-purpose flour works but makes a softer, more cake-like stick.
- Tacky, not sticky. Add the last half cup of flour slowly. The dough should pull away from the bowl and feel like a sticky note on your fingertip, not glue.
- Find a warm spot. I let the pans rise in the oven with just the light on. It's cozy in there and the dough puffs up nicely in about 45 minutes.
- Season while hot. Brush and sprinkle straight out of the oven so the butter melts the Parmesan slightly and the herbs stick.
- Make the seasoning in bulk. Triple the seasoning and keep it in a jar (without the Parmesan, which you add fresh). It's great on popcorn and garlic bread.
Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
20
servings1
hour20
minutes15
minutes170
kcal1
hour35
minutesCopycat Pizza Hut breadsticks: a soft, slightly sweet yeast dough pressed into buttered 9×13 pans, risen, baked hot until the bottoms are golden and crisp, then brushed with butter and showered with a Parmesan, garlic and herb seasoning. Served with a quick simmered marinara. Makes 20 breadsticks.
Ingredients
- For the Dough
1 1/3 cups warm water (about 110°F)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast (one packet)
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for the pans
- For the Seasoning and Topping
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Marinara
15 ounces tomato sauce (one 15-ounce can)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
- Make the Dough
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir the warm water, sugar, yeast, milk powder and salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy, then stir in the olive oil.
- With the dough hook on low, add 3 1/2 cups of flour a little at a time, then knead on medium for 6 to 7 minutes, adding more flour a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth, soft and only slightly tacky.
- Pour 3 tablespoons of melted butter into each of two 9×13-inch pans. Divide the dough in half and press or roll each half to fill a pan.
- Cover the pans and let the dough rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, until puffy and nearly doubled.
- Make the Marinara
- While the dough rises, simmer the tomato sauce, sugar, oregano, basil, garlic powder, marjoram and salt in a small saucepan over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until slightly thickened.
- Bake
- Heat the oven to 475°F. Bake the pans for 10 to 15 minutes, until the tops are golden and the bottoms are crisp and deep golden.
- Stir the Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil and salt together. Brush the hot breadsticks with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle evenly with the seasoning.
- Slide each slab onto a board and cut into 10 sticks. Serve warm with the marinara for dipping.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Make sure not to over bake. 10 to 12 minutes should be enough. You can bake for 15 minutes if you want your breadsticks to be crispier. Baking them beyond 15 minutes may make them too dry.
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More Copycat Sides and Snacks
Love breadsticks? Try my Little Caesars-style crazy bread and Roberta's-style pizza dough for pizza night. For more chain favorites, browse the copycat recipes collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on Pizza Hut breadsticks?
Pizza Hut doesn't publish its recipe, but its breadsticks are known for a buttery, pan-baked crust topped with a savory Parmesan and herb seasoning. This copycat-style version uses butter, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil and salt.
What is breadstick seasoning made of?
My breadstick seasoning is 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle it over breadsticks right after brushing them with melted butter.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes. Use about 2 pounds of pizza dough, split between two buttered 9×13 pans. Press it out, let it rise until puffy (30 to 45 minutes for room-temperature dough), then bake and season as written. Bake time may be a few minutes shorter.
Can I make the dough ahead?
After kneading, put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, press it into the buttered pans and let it rise until puffy before baking.
How do you reheat breadsticks?
Wrap them in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or unwrap for the last 2 minutes to crisp the bottoms. An air fryer at 320°F for 2 to 3 minutes works too. Store leftovers airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days.
