Crispy, Crunchy Breadsticks

A Quick Look at the Recipe

✅ Recipe Name: Crispy Breadsticks
🕒 Ready In: ~ one hour
👪 Makes: 20 breadsticks
🧑‍🍳 Main Ingredients: Flour, butter, baking powder and sesame seeds
📖 Dietary Info: Eggless, vegetarian
📌 Difficulty: Quick and easy oven baked recipe

Why you’ll love these crispy breadsticks?

This recipe is my easy take on grissini, the classic pencil-thin Italian breadsticks. Traditional grissini are made with yeast and require time to proof, but this version uses baking powder instead, so you can skip the waiting and have crispy breadsticks in no time.

The secret to these extra-crispy breadsticks without yeast is the pie crust method! I mix the butter into the flour before adding the water. This coats the flour and keeps the breadsticks tender instead of chewy. As the breadsticks bake, the butter melts and releases steam, creating tiny layers in the dough. This gives the breadsticks their light, crisp, and tender texture.

They're incredibly versatile, too. Serve them alongside a charcuterie board, fruit and cheese platter, break them into pieces to sprinkle over soups and salads, or simply enjoy them as a crunchy, salty snack with a glass of wine. I love adding white sesame seeds for a subtle nutty flavor and a little extra character.

- maria doss

Step 5 - Cut into 20 equal pieces.

Step 6 - Place a piece of dough on a clean countertop and gently roll it with both hands to form a uniform 12-inch rope. If the rope breaks, just pinch it back together and keep rolling.

Step 7 - Arrange the rolled breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F until the crunchy breadsticks are deep golden brown.

Tips for Success

• Bake until they are golden color, being careful not to let them turn dark brown.
• Use only dried herbs and not fresh herbs or garlic.
• Rotate the pan halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
• Use ice cold water for better results.
• To make into crackers, roll the dough into ⅛-inch thickness, cut into squares and bake.
• To toast sesame seeds, add white sesame seeds to a medium-hot skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until a few pop. Remove from heat, transfer to a plate, and let cool completely.
• Storage - Allow the breadsticks to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container for up to a week to keep them crispy and crunchy.

Variations

• Make into crackers - Roll dough into ⅛-inch thickness on the counter, cut into 1-inch squares and bake until golden.
• Don't like spicy - Skip red pepper flakes.
• Garlicky - Mix in 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic.
• Curry flavor - Mix in ½ teaspoon ground coriander, ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne and ⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder to the dough.
• Italian - Mix 1 teaspoon dried parsley, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.

Serving suggestions

• Like the toasted tortellini, these are a fantastic snack that both kids and adults will love. Skip the store-bought crackers and enjoy these crunchy breadsticks with marinara, hummus, or any savory dip.
• Arrange the baked crunchy breadsticks on a cheese board along with almond flour crackers around the tomato cheese ball or a fruit and cheese platter, with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, olives, and fruits for a stunning appetizer or snack, perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday.
• Add them to a charcuterie platter alongside an assortment of meats, fruit spreads, and a variety of hard and soft cheeses.
• Serve them alongside bowls of soup, such as Instant Pot tomato soup.
• Wrap them in cellophane bags for a thoughtful homemade gift during the holidays.