Quick and Easy Soft Sourdough Bread Sticks Recipe

Using a combination of sourdough discard and instant yeast, this sourdough bread sticks recipe has the best of both worlds—great flavor from the starter and a quick rise from the yeast. 

These homemade breadsticks are soft and fluffy, with a golden brown crust, perfect for dipping in marinara sauce or brushing with garlic butter.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Uses both sourdough starter and yeast – So it's ready in just a few hours. 
• Perfect texture – Light and fluffy inside with a golden brown exterior.

Be sure to check out my collection of sourdough recipes for more delicious ways to use your starter!

My favorite sourdough pizza crust recipe was the inspiration for these breadsticks—it has the perfect balance of chew and crispness, and I knew it would make the ultimate soft and flavorful breadsticks too!

The Perfect Soft and Fluffy Breadsticks

This dough is made with both yeast and sourdough starter so it's incredibly soft and fluffy. It stays fresh longer than yeast-only doughs. The natural acids in the starter help retain moisture and keeps your breadsticks tender for days. The yeast give a quick rise, while the starter adds depth of flavor and a light, airy crumb. It’s the best of both worlds—fast, easy, and irresistibly soft!

Fresh Sourdough Breadsticks in Just 2 Hours!

My sourdough breadstick recipe is perfect when you want homemade flavor without the long wait. Thanks to commercial yeast, the bread dough comes together quickly and rises in about an hour.

After shaping, a short second dough rise—just 30 minutes—gives the breadsticks their soft, airy texture. In just two hours from start to finish, you’ll have warm, flavorful breadsticks ready to serve, with all the benefits of sourdough but none of the long fermentation!

Easy Shaping Trick

Experienced bakers can tell you that the worst part about making breadsticks is hand shaping each breadstick. Good news! This recipe has no individual shaping required!

Simply press the dough into a sheet pan, cut it into sticks, and let it rise. Before baking, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian herbs for extra flavor. The result? Soft, fluffy breadsticks with a golden crust, ready to enjoy with minimal effort!

Ingredients In This Sourdough Bread Sticks Recipe

Alright, let’s talk about these ingredients a little bit!

Sourdough Starter Discard – This is the secret ingredient that gives your breadsticks extra depth of flavor. You’ll want to use fairly recently discarded starter—something from the past day or so. Older discard has a much stronger acidic taste, which can be a bit overpowering. If you use fresher discard, you’ll get a milder tang and a softer texture, which is exactly what we want for these breadsticks!

Bread Flour – This is what gives our breadsticks structure and that perfect chew. Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps create a stronger dough. My go-to is King Arthur Bread Flour—I swear by it! But if you have another brand on hand, that works too.

Instant Yeast – We’re speeding things up with instant yeast so these breadsticks are ready in just a few hours. If you only have active dry yeast, don’t worry! Just let your dough proof a little longer to compensate. The yeast helps create lightness and rise, balancing out the sourdough tang.

Sea Salt – I always reach for this sea salt when baking bread because it enhances flavor without being iodized, which can interfere with the natural yeast in sourdough.

Olive Oil – This is what gives the breadsticks that lovely richness. I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. But honestly, use whatever you have in your kitchen!

These simple ingredients come together to make some of the easiest and tastiest homemade breadsticks.

Optional Toppings

Let’s talk about these optional toppings—because let’s be real, toppings take breadsticks from good to irresistible!

• Parmesan Cheese – If you’re adding Parmesan, timing is key! Sprinkle it on toward the end of baking so it melts just enough to stick but doesn’t burn. A little Parmesan adds a rich, salty bite that pairs perfectly with the garlicky butter.
• Sesame Seeds or Poppy Seeds – These are a fun way to add a little crunch and extra flavor. Sesame seeds give a nutty, toasty bite, while poppy seeds add a mild earthiness. Sprinkle them on before baking so they stick to the dough as it puffs up.
• Garlic Powder & Italian Seasoning – This is my personal favorite combo! Melt the butter and mix in garlic powder and Italian seasoning before brushing it over the warm breadsticks. The heat brings out all those herby, garlicky flavors, making your kitchen smell like a dream.
• Unsalted Butter or Melted Butter – Brushing melted butter on after baking gives the breadsticks a glossy, golden finish and keeps them soft. You can use salted butter if you like, but unsalted lets you control the saltiness better—especially if you’re already adding Parmesan.

Whichever toppings you choose, they’re going to take these breadsticks to the next level.

Tools Needed

Alright, let’s go over the tools needed—and spoiler alert, you don’t need much!

• Large Mixing Bowl or Stand Mixer Bowl – If you’re making the dough by hand, all you need is a sturdy mixing bowl. Plan for about 5 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Dough Hook Attachment (for kneading) – If you're going the stand mixer route, pop on the dough hook and mix for about 2 minutes on low speed, and 5 minutes on medium speed.
• Dough Cutter – This is for cutting the dough into breadsticks before baking. A metal dough cutter cuts all the way to the corners effortlessly, but a sharp knife works just as well.
• Plastic Wrap or a Damp Tea Towel – You’ll want to cover the dough while it proofs to keep it from drying out. A simple tea towel or plastic wrap does the trick!
• 9x13-Inch Baking Dish – These breadsticks bake up beautifully in a 9x13-inch baking dish instead of a baking sheet. This keeps them soft and pillowy, with golden edges that don’t dry out.
• Pastry Brush – This is a must-have for brushing on melted butter, garlic seasoning, or whatever toppings you choose. It helps distribute the flavor evenly so every bite is delicious.

That’s it! No fancy tools—just simple, everyday kitchen essentials to make the best homemade breadsticks. Let’s get mixing! 

How to Make Sourdough Bread Sticks

This is a simple, no-fuss process! Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll do—full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Step 1: Mix the Dough – Combine the sourdough discard, bread flour, yeast, salt, olive oil, and water in a mixing bowl. Knead by hand for 5-10 minutes or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes or until smooth.

2. Let it Rise – Cover the dough and let it proof in a warm spot for about an hour, or until it’s doubled in size.

3. Step 3:Press the Dough into the Pan – Gently press the dough into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. If it resists, let it relax for a few minutes and try again.

4. Cut the Breadsticks – Use a dough cutter to slice the dough before baking. To get 12 breadsticks, cut 6 lines lengthwise and 1 cut across the middle before baking.

5. Proof Again – Cover and let the dough rest for another 20-30 minutes so the breadsticks puff up and get soft and airy. Brush with and sprinkle with toppings of your choice.

6. Bake – Pop them into a preheated oven and bake until golden. Once they’re out, brush them again with the remaining melted butter.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Leftover breadsticks: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
• Next day baking: Refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise, then shape and bake the next day. (Tip: Don't use quick-rise yeast for this)

Easy Sourdough Bread Sticks Recipe

This sourdough breadsticks recipe is soft, fluffy, and full of flavor with just the right amount of chew. Made with sourdough discard for a subtle tang, these easy homemade breadsticks come together in about 2 hours—no rolling pin or hand shaping required! Perfect as a side for pasta, soups, or dipping in marinara.

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Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• ▢ 1 cup sourdough starter discard for fresh sourdough starters, see notes
• ▢ 2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, see notes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon instant yeast or active dry yeast, see notes
• ▢ 2 teaspoon sea salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for oiling baking dish
• ▢ ½ cup warm water

For Brushing on Top:

• ▢ 3 tablespoons melted butter
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional Toppings:

• ▢ Parmesan cheese
• ▢ Sesame seeds or poppy seeds

Instructions

Mix the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), whisk together the bread flour, instant yeast, and sea salt. Add the sourdough discard, olive oil, and warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
• If using active dry yeast, first dissolve it in the warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding it with the remaining ingredients.
• Knead the dough with a stand mixer (dough hook attachment) on low for 5 minutes, or knead by hand for 5-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

First Rise

• Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size—about 1 hour, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Press the Dough into the Pan

• Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil. Gently press the dough into the pan with your hands, spreading it out as evenly as possible. If it resists stretching, let it rest for 5 minutes, then press again until it fills the pan.

Cut the Breadsticks

• After pressing the dough into the pan, let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Use a pizza cutter, sharp knife, or dough cutter to slice the dough into 1½ inch wide by 7 ½-inch long strips, making about 12 breadsticks.

Second Rise (Proofing)

• Cover the pan and let the dough proof for another 30-45 minutes, allowing the breadsticks to puff up. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C)

Bake

• .Just before baking, brush the dough with melted butter mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add any additional toppings, like Parmesan or sesame seeds.
• Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
• Final Touch
• Remove the breadsticks from the oven and immediately brush with any remaining melted butter mixture for extra flavor. Let them cool slightly before serving!

Notes

Substituting All-Purpose Flour – You can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour, but the breadsticks may be slightly less chewy.

Adding Italian Seasoning to the Dough – For extra flavor, mix ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning directly into the dough.

Storing Dough Overnight – If you want to prepare the dough the night before, substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with pressing, cutting, and proofing the next day.

Using Fresh, Active Sourdough Starter – If you want to make this recipe without commercial yeast, omit the yeast entirely and let the dough ferment overnight in the fridge before baking.

More Sourdough Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these sourdough breadsticks, here are a few more recipes to try next!

• Sourdough Pizza Crust – My go-to pizza dough recipe! It’s chewy, crispy, and packed with sourdough flavor—perfect for homemade pizza night.
• Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies – A fun way to use up discard! These cookies are soft, chewy, and have a slightly tangy depth of flavor that makes them irresistible.
• Sourdough Flatbread – Quick, easy, and so versatile! Use this flatbread for wraps, dipping, or as a base for simple homemade pizzas.

If you loved this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. ⭐️ I appreciate every 5-star review—it helps other bakers find this recipe and helps me continue creating great content!

Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @BetterBakerClub if you give this a try. I love seeing your sourdough bakes!