Breadsticks

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1.5 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
  • 16 ounces bread flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or ~7 teaspoons olive oil [I like using garlic-infused olive oil])
  • 1.75 teaspoons salt

Topping

  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 0.5 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 0.25 teaspoons garlic powder
  • Cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a mixer add the water, yeast, and oregano (if using oregano).
  2. Add the flour, sugar, butter (or olive oil), and salt.
  3. Start on low to mix then increase to medium and knead for 7-8 minutes.
  4. Put dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place for 60-90 minutes or until doubled.
  5. Punch down, turn out onto a lightly floured surface, knead 7 or 8 times.
  6. Weigh and divide by 12 to figure out how much dough for each breadstick. Should be about 2 – 2.5 ounces each (55 – 70 grams).\
  7. Using a bench knife cut off each portion, roll out to 7-8 inches, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 6 per sheet, leaving room for expansion.
  8. Cover lightly with oiled plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 45 – 60 minutes.
  9. Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  10. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F (90°C).
  11. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle salt and garlic mixture over. Add cheese if desired. (I like letting them cool a bit then adding cheese and broiling at 400°F (200°C) for a minute to melt the cheese.)
  12. Serve warm.

Pictures

Dough
Dough after mixing, before first rise
Risen
After forming and second rise, before baking
After Baking
After baking, brushed with butter and sprinkled with salt and seasonings
Cheesy
After baking and cooling a bit, cheese added and melted under the broiler.