This grissini recipe for classic and crispy Italian bread sticks is ideal as a snack or for dipping. The snacks are easy to prepare and taste like they came from a restaurant. Pasta like this is something special that you have to make again and again until you master the right preparation method. The ingredients, the thickness and length of each stick, as well as the temperature, baking time and saltiness – they all make a big difference in the making of the Italian pastry. But the hard work will certainly be worth it because we are about to share with you a delicious and quality recipe idea.
Prepare your own breadstick recipe
You can make homemade breadsticks by using bread flour. However, if you know you don't have this easily accessible, you can test the baked goods with all-purpose flour. So these taste amazing even with the different flour. The texture isn't quite the same, but you'll definitely like the two versions. As a rule, you can also divide the dough into pieces and shape each into a strip.
However, there is another trick if you prefer. To do this, first lightly coat the work surface with oil and shape the dough into a square measuring approximately 25 x 25 cm. You can then cut the dough into 1 cm wide (or thinner) strips. You can roll each breadstick with your fingertips for a rustic look or just leave them as they are.
So when shaping the breadsticks, it's entirely up to you how big and how long or thick you want to make them. Most people find the slightly thicker version better than the very thin Italian version, but this breadstick recipe will work for both. Nevertheless, we suggest that you do not make them thicker than 1 cm. If you want to make the pasta very thin, you will have to bake it for less time than the recipe calls for and only until it turns golden brown. However, make sure to make the breadsticks as large as possible so that they can bake evenly. For example, for an optional Parmesan preparation, reduce the salt by half and add 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups (380 g) bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dry yeast
- ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon (195 ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1¼ teaspoons fine salt
Optional
- Olive oil or melted butter with a little water for brushing
- Sesame or Parmesan for sprinkling
preparation
Long Crispy Bread Sticks – These crispy baked goods are perfect as an appetizer or as a side dish to a soup or stew.
- First, mix all the ingredients using a mixer equipped with the appropriate accessories.
- Whisk on low speed for 2-3 minutes until well combined.
- Increase speed to medium-low and mix for another 5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a suitable bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Start by dividing the dough into 24 pieces, each weighing about 25g.
- Roll each piece into logs about 25cm long (or 30cm if you want extra thin) and ½ to 1cm wide, depending on how thick you prefer the logs. Just remember that they will expand as they bake.
- Place the breadsticks on the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each stick. If desired, brush each with oil and sprinkle with Parmesan or sesame seeds.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- While the first batch is baking, cover the other baking sheet with plastic wrap until it's ready to go in the oven.
- Finally, let the dough sticks cool completely on a rack. They will last up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Alternatively, you can make this recipe idea healthy with a little honey, gluten-free flour and sea salt, as well as sprinkle with rosemary or other spices and nuts such as pumpkin seeds to your taste before baking. Bon appetit!
