Air Fryer Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

A beginner-friendly recipe for making restaurant-style breadsticks at home using an air fryer. These breadsticks feature a soft, risen dough and a signature garlic butter finish, ready in about 55 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (105°F to 110°F)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus a pinch for finishing, or coarse sea salt)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar. Stir gently and let it sit undisturbed for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.
2. Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined. Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour, mixing until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured clean work surface. Knead the dough vigorously for about 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Gently punch down the risen dough and transfer it back to your floured work surface. Roll the dough out into a rough rectangle, approximately 8×10 inches in size. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, slice the dough lengthwise into 8 equal strips. Gently roll and stretch each strip into a log shape roughly 7 to 8 inches long.
5. Pre-heat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking oil or line it with a perforated parchment paper sheet. Working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, place the breadsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a small space between each one for air circulation. Cook at 360°F (180°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping or gently rotating them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6. While the breadsticks are baking, whisk together the melted butter, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. As soon as the hot breadsticks come out of the air fryer, brush them generously all over with the garlic butter mixture. Serve warm and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Check Water Temperature: Make sure your water is warm to the touch (like bath water) but not hot. Water that is too hot will kill the yeast, preventing your breadsticks from rising. Don’t Overcrowd: Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook these in two separate batches. Crowding the basket prevents proper air circulation and leads to uneven browning. Customizations: If you love cheesy breadsticks, sprinkle a handful of grated Parmesan cheese over the top right after applying the garlic butter layer.