There’s something about sitting down at Pizza Hut and having those warm, buttery breadsticks placed on the table that feels absolutely perfect. They’re soft, packed with flavor, and just the right amount of indulgent. If you’re anything like me, sometimes you crave that experience without having to leave home or wait for delivery. That’s exactly where this recipe comes in. These copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks are incredibly simple to make with store-bought pizza dough and a handful of pantry staples, and they turn out so close to the restaurant version, you might just retire your takeout app for good!
When I first tried making these at home, I was surprised by how easy they are to pull together. The secret is all in the buttery base and that flavorful seasoning blend that gets sprinkled on both before and after baking. And let’s not forget: they’re perfect for dipping into your favorite marinara or pizza sauce, making them a great side dish or snack for any occasion—whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner, a game-day spread, or a cozy movie night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we get into the steps, let’s take a quick look at everything you’ll need to recreate these soft, flavorful breadsticks at home:
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8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (divided use)
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1 (16-ounce) pizza dough ball (store-bought)
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2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
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2 teaspoons garlic powder
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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¾ teaspoon kosher salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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Marinara or pizza sauce, for serving (optional)
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. Most of these ingredients might already be in your pantry or fridge. The store-bought pizza dough cuts down on prep time while still delivering that soft, chewy texture we all love.
STEPS
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. This temperature ensures that the breadsticks bake up nice and golden while staying soft inside.
Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Make sure you coat the entire surface evenly. This buttery layer not only prevents sticking but also helps create that perfectly crisp bottom that mimics the restaurant version.
Step 2: Stretch the Dough
Take your 16-ounce pizza dough ball and place it directly into the buttered baking dish. Gently stretch the dough out to fit the shape of the pan. If you find the dough is springing back or resisting, don’t worry—just let it rest for about 5 minutes to relax the gluten, then continue stretching. This short rest makes the dough much easier to handle and shape.
Step 3: Mix the Seasoning Blend
While the dough rests, prepare your seasoning mixture. In a small bowl, combine:
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2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
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2 teaspoons garlic powder
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2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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¾ teaspoon kosher salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
This flavorful blend is what really brings these breadsticks to life. The combination of parmesan and spices creates that signature taste that’s savory, aromatic, and just a little bit addictive.
Step 4: First Butter and Seasoning Layer
Now, brush half of the remaining melted butter over the top of your stretched dough. Be generous here—you want that rich, buttery flavor in every bite.
Next, sprinkle half of your seasoning mixture evenly across the buttered surface. This first layer of seasoning will bake directly into the dough, infusing it with flavor from the inside out.
Step 5: Score the Dough
Before baking, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to gently score the dough into 16 breadsticks. Be careful not to cut all the way through; you just want to create guidelines that will make it easier to separate the breadsticks once they’re baked.
How to Bake Perfect Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Every Time
Now that we’ve prepped and seasoned our dough, it’s time to bring these breadsticks to life in the oven. This part of the recipe is where the magic happens—the dough rises and bakes to a golden brown, the butter soaks in, and that first layer of seasoning starts to meld beautifully into the crust. Trust me, your kitchen is about to smell like a pizzeria in the best possible way.
I love how low-maintenance this recipe is once it hits the oven. You don’t need to babysit the breadsticks, but just keep an eye toward the end of the baking time to make sure they reach that perfect golden color.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the prepared baking dish into your preheated 425°F oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown across the top and the edges look slightly crisp. Every oven is a little different, so it’s a good idea to start checking around the 15-minute mark.
The golden-brown color is a great indicator that the dough is fully cooked and the butter has worked its way into the breadsticks, delivering that soft, pillowy texture inside while giving just a hint of crispness on the outside.
Step 7: The Final Butter and Seasoning Finish
As soon as you pull the breadsticks from the oven, while they’re still hot, brush them generously with the remaining melted butter. This final coating soaks into the warm bread and gives them that irresistible glossy finish.
Then, sprinkle the remaining seasoning mixture evenly over the top. This double-layer seasoning approach ensures every bite is packed with flavor—from the buttery base layer that baked into the dough to the fresh, aromatic topping that clings to the hot butter.
Step 8: Let Cool and Serve
Allow the breadsticks to cool slightly before serving. They’re best enjoyed warm, when the butter is still melty and the texture is at its softest. Serve them alongside your favorite marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Whether you’re serving these as a side dish for a homemade pizza night, bringing them to a potluck, or just making them as a snack, they’re always a hit. I find that people can’t help but go back for seconds (and thirds!).
Helpful Tips for the Best Breadsticks
Even though this recipe is wonderfully straightforward, a few helpful tips can make sure you nail it every time:
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Use Room Temperature Dough: If your pizza dough has been refrigerated, let it sit out for about 30 minutes before stretching. Cold dough is stiffer and more resistant to stretching.
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Rest If Needed: If your dough resists stretching, don’t fight it. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, and you’ll find it becomes much more pliable.
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Preheat the Pan for a Crispier Bottom: If you prefer a crispier base (similar to what you’d get in the restaurant), you can preheat the baking dish with the butter before adding the dough. Just be careful when handling the hot dish.
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Adjust Seasonings to Taste: Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to your preference. Add a little more garlic powder for extra punch or a pinch of crushed red pepper for a subtle kick.
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Serve Fresh: These breadsticks are at their absolute best when served fresh out of the oven. Leftovers are still delicious but may lose a bit of that signature softness as they cool.
FAQ: Your Pizza Hut Breadsticks Questions Answered
As simple as this recipe is, there are always a few questions that tend to pop up when making homemade breadsticks. Let’s go through some of the most common ones so you feel completely confident every step of the way.
Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works perfectly for this recipe if you have a favorite recipe on hand. Just make sure it’s enough to fill a 9×13-inch pan (about 16 ounces of dough).
What if I don’t have a 9×13-inch baking dish?
You can use a slightly different size pan if needed, but keep in mind that changing the pan size may affect baking time and thickness. A smaller pan will yield thicker breadsticks, while a larger pan may create thinner ones.
Can these breadsticks be made ahead of time?
They’re best when fresh, but you can bake them ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to revive the texture and warmth.
Is it necessary to score the dough before baking?
Scoring helps create even breadstick portions and makes cutting easier after baking. While not strictly necessary, it gives that familiar Pizza Hut look and makes serving much simpler.
Can I freeze these breadsticks?
Yes! Once baked and cooled, you can freeze the breadsticks in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
How can I make these even cheesier?
For extra cheesy breadsticks, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella on top right before baking. The cheese melts into the butter and seasoning, creating an extra gooey and delicious layer.
What dipping sauces work best with these breadsticks?
Marinara and pizza sauce are the classics, but you can also serve them with ranch dressing, garlic butter sauce, or even a spicy cheese dip for a fun variation.
Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love Making These Breadsticks at Home
There’s a real satisfaction that comes with recreating one of your favorite restaurant treats right in your own kitchen. These copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks check all the boxes: buttery, soft, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re serving them alongside a homemade pizza, as part of a game day spread, or simply as a snack for the family, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
What I love most about this recipe is how approachable it is. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you don’t need any special equipment or advanced baking skills to pull it off. And because you control the ingredients, you can tweak the seasoning blend to match your taste perfectly.
I hope you give these a try and that they become a regular favorite in your home, just like they are in mine. If you experiment with different seasonings or dipping sauces, be sure to share your variations—I love hearing how others make these recipes their own!
PrintPizza Hut Breadsticks
These Pizza Hut Breadsticks are soft, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, just like your favorite restaurant version. Made with store-bought pizza dough and a simple blend of seasonings, they come together quickly and are perfect for dipping into marinara or pizza sauce. The melted butter and flavorful spice mixture create an irresistible snack or side dish that’s sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (divided use)
16 ounce pizza dough ball (store-bought)
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
marinara or pizza sauce, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Pour 2 tablespoons of the melted butter into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure to coat the entire surface.
Place the pizza dough ball into the dish and stretch it out to fit the pan. If the dough resists, allow it to rest for about 5 minutes, then stretch again.
In a small bowl, mix together the grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning blend.
Brush half of the remaining melted butter over the top of the stretched dough.
Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, score the dough into 16 breadsticks without cutting all the way through.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown.
Immediately after baking, brush the breadsticks with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle the remaining seasoning mixture over the top.
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with marinara or pizza sauce, if desired.
Notes
If you prefer a crispier bottom, you can preheat the baking dish with the butter before adding the dough. The seasoning mix can be adjusted to your taste, and the breadsticks are best enjoyed warm for maximum softness and flavor. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to restore their texture.
