Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks: That Chewy, Buttery, Nostalgic Goodness… Right at Home! Let’s talk about Pizza Hut breadsticks. You know the ones. Puffy, golden, chewy with a slightly crisp edge, smothered in that salty, herby seasoning that always left your fingers a little greasy and a lot happy. The kind of breadsticks that came in that red plastic basket with a side of warm marinara—aka the real star of your childhood pizza night.

Now imagine making those at home. That’s what we’re doing here. And trust me—it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably tried a lot of garlic bread and various copycat recipes over the years. But there’s just something different about the Pizza Hut ones, right? They have this signature texture—pillowy and soft inside, just the right chew, and topped with that buttery seasoning blend that honestly deserves its own fan club. These homemade breadsticks hit every nostalgic note and are dangerously easy to pull off in your own kitchen.
Let’s Get Real for a Second
This isn’t some artisan bread recipe with overnight proofing and fancy techniques. This is a good, old-fashioned, bake-it-in-a-pan, douse-it-in-butter, eat-three-before-dinner-is-ready situation.
You mix the dough (yes, with yeast, but don’t panic—it’s easy), let it rise, press it into a pan, and then cut it into thick, doughy sticks before baking. The trick is in letting them bake close together so they stay soft and fluffy instead of crisping up like true breadsticks!
Then comes the seasoning. Oh, the seasoning. It’s buttery, garlicky, a little cheesy, and packed with dried herbs that’ll instantly transport you to that booth at your local Pizza Hut, sipping from a red plastic cup and trying to stretch your last breadstick to last until the next pizza slice hits the table.
Why These Breadsticks Just Hit Different
There’s a reason people still remember Pizza Hut breadsticks from decades ago—and it’s not because they were fancy. They were comfort food, plain and simple. This homemade version captures that vibe perfectly.
Here’s what’s to love:
- The dough is soft, fluffy, and so satisfying—like biting into a warm, buttery pillow.
- The seasoning mix is addictive. It hits that perfect balance of salty, herby, and savory.
- They bake up in about 20 minutes, and your kitchen will smell like a pizza parlor in the best possible way.
- They are perfect for dipping in marinara, ranch, or—let’s be honest—straight-up melted cheese.
They’re also great for sharing… theoretically. In practice, you’ll want to keep at least three for yourself and quietly slide the rest onto the table for everyone else.
When to Make These
These breadsticks are made for:
- Game nights
- Lazy weekends
- Family pizza night (duh)
- That one dinner where you know everyone’s just in it for the carbs
- Or, let’s be real: any night you want breadsticks and you’re not paying for delivery
Bonus points if you serve them alongside homemade pizza or spaghetti—but don’t be surprised if everyone just fills up on bread.
Why You’re Gonna Want to Bookmark This
Look, not every recipe can claim to taste exactly like your favorite fast-food memory, but this one gets really, really close. And there’s something so satisfying about being able to pull it off yourself—no tipping the delivery driver, no heat lamp limp breadsticks, just fresh, hot, buttery carbs straight from your oven.
Whether you grew up on Pizza Hut or just love a good throwback snack, these copycat breadsticks are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re unfussy, familiar, and flat-out crave-worthy.
So go ahead—make a batch, cut ’em thick, slather on the seasoning, and don’t even pretend you’re going to share the last one. I wouldn’t either.
Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Ingredients
For The Dough
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) Active Dry Yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- Olive oil or nonstick spray (for greasing pan)
For The Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional but authentic)
Instructions
Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy. Add the olive oil and salt. Mix in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes, either by hand or with a dough hook, until smooth and slightly tacky.
Let It Rise
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Baking Pan
- While the dough is rising, grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
Shape the dough
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air bubbles. then roll the dough into a rectangle that fits your buttered pan then place the rolled dough into the prepared pan , pressing it down to fit nicely
second rise
- Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for an additional 30 minutes, or until it has puffed up.
Brush the dough with butter
- lightly brush with melted butter -This not only adds flavor but also helps in creating that golden-brown finish.
Score the dough
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, gently score the dough into 10 equal strips. This will make it easier to cut after baking.
Bake
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bake the breadsticks for 18–20 minutes, until puffed up and golden brown around the edges.
Butter (again) and Season
- As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the tops generously with melted butter. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the breadsticks.
Allow them to cool
- Let the breadsticks to cool for 5–10 minutes in the pan.
Cut
- After cooling, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the breadsticks along the scored lines.
- Serve with warm Marinara sauce for dipping!
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Comments & Reviews
Becky says
These were incredible for sure! Next time I have to make 2 batches!