One of my fondest memories as a kid was Pizza Hut.
Remember Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT program where they talked students into reading as a activity in return for free pizza? If there’s one way to get kids into reading, it’s pizza. I’m totally serious. When I found out the more reading I did meant more pizza, I turned into a library monster. One of my life achievements is winning my city’s Winter Reading Contest. I received a picture in the newspaper with my gold medal in one hand, a book in another. Sounds pretty cool, right? Well it was because it meant pizza!
My parents would sometimes surprise me while I was in middle school by picking me up when school was over and taking me to Pizza Hut for dinner on Fridays. I was pretty pumped because this meant pizza and their bread sticks which I loved. Also, total highlight but one time they picked me up and surprised me with a black velvet hat with a red plaid flower on it, just like my hero Blossom wore.
Wasn’t she just the coolest?
So back to bread sticks. We are big pizza eaters in this house and always love a few bread sticks on the side to dip in additional marinara sauce. Buying frozen bread sticks is quick, but one night I was craving home made bread sticks so I made these. If you have any left over (good luck) they are equally delicious the following day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus additional for drizzling
- garlic salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Lightly grease parchment paper with non stick spray on a 11x7 baking sheet.
- Combine all ingredients together with a hand mixer at high speed for 60 seconds.
- Scoop the sticky batter onto your baking sheet, spreading it nearly to the edges.
- Use a pizza wheel or knife to score the dough into 6 1" wide strips.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Drizzle bread sticks with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until light golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes. As soon as you can touch them, cut the dough along the score lines with scissors.
- Place bread sticks on their side edges on the pan now and return back to the oven for 10 minutes.
kimmythevegan says
Mmmm these sound awesome!!! I LOVE breadsticks. I bet I could sub the parmesan for nutritional yeast to make it vegan – I’ll give it a shot.
I used to love Pizza Hut (in my pre-vegan days), especially that stuffed crust one. omg…
Oh and Blossom – haha, i used to love her.
I can’t believe you got pizza for reading – how did I never hear about that contest as a kid? Genius.
Kelly says
I used to love munching on Pizza Hut’s bread sticks too and love that you made a homemade version! They look incredible and so soft 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Totally a sucker for bread sticks. They look perfect!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
Loved Book It!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine says
You’re making me very hungry Pamela! These look so…. good!! I’ll bet the aroma is amazing too as they bake.
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
If there are breadsticks around, I don’t need the pizza. Just give me a vat of marinara with a basket of breadsticks and I’m good. Just don’t expect me to share …
Oh – and the Pizza Hut Book-It program is alive and well! My youngest did it a couple of years ago! 🙂
Tracy | Pale Yellow says
I totally rocked the Book-It program! I told my students about it once and they looked at me like I had four eyes. I could eat bread sticks for days! I don’t even need the pizza.
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
Love The Hut! Pizza Hut and Subway were the only “big” restaurants in my town growing up. And I was definitely a BOOK IT! kid. 🙂 These bread sticks pretty much look like the best thing ever!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
*Crying due to the lack of soft breadsticks in my life right now*
*And drooling too*
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I’m a sucker for breadsticks… could eat them all day long, haha. Especially with some melted cheese on top and a good dipping sauce 🙂
[email protected] says
These breadsticks look unbelievably soft! These would be perfect for spaghetti night!
Pamela says
Oh goodness, yes, with a little cheese melted on top too… MMMMM!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
My hubby and I LOVE bread with our meals. Will have to try this one!!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
These soft bread sticks look so tasty, Pamela.
Sharon @ Farm Fresh Family says
Yum! These look awesome. We are pizza fiends around here and will have to give these a try!
Katie says
BOOK IT was the reason for my existence in grade school. I remember being incredibly sad when I was no longer “paid” in personal pan pizzas to read. But then, in high school, I discovered those breadsticks, and late nights in the Pizza Hut were a weekly tradition. They were SO good. Better than the pizza really. These look super authentic!