Made with pizza dough, butter, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, and herbs, these Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks taste just like the real thing… but better.
I don’t remember what went wrong exactly—some mix of burnt dinner, grumpy kid, and general “why am I doing this” vibes—but I was deep in one of those evenings. You know the kind. The ones where you’re already wearing your pajamas and it’s barely 6:30 p.m., and all you want is something warm, cheesy, and nostalgic enough to make you forget that your dishwasher smells a little weird and you still haven’t folded the laundry.
And that’s when I remembered the breadsticks.
Not just any breadsticks. I’m talking about Pizza Hut breadsticks—the ones from the 90s that came in that greasy paper sleeve, all fluffy and golden, with that weirdly perfect seasoning sprinkled over the top like it was a trade secret. If you know, you know.
So I grabbed a can of dough (the kind that pops and makes you jump even when you’re expecting it), melted some butter, guessed my way through a spice blend… and wow. One bite in, and I was 13 again, sitting in a vinyl booth, sipping a Pepsi way too fast through a red plastic straw. I didn’t even mean for these to be good. But they were. And they still are. So now, I make these Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks anytime I need a win.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks Recipe?
Okay, let’s be real: breadsticks are already one of the best parts of any meal. (Fight me.) But these are next-level. They’re soft and fluffy in the middle, a little crispy around the edges, and dripping with butter—not in a refined “lightly brushed” kind of way, but in a full-on “bring me a napkin” kind of way.
Then there’s the seasoning. It’s garlicky, salty, a little herby—like the spice rack equivalent of a mixtape from your first crush. That sprinkle of parmesan gives it just enough cheesy umami that you don’t even need dipping sauce… though you should absolutely still have some.
And the best part? These come together in 20 minutes. Tops. No kneading. No waiting. No trying to remember if you actually bought yeast or if you just meant to. They’re low-effort comfort food, which, honestly, is the best kind.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s not overcomplicate things. These Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks don’t ask much from you—and that’s kind of the point.
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Refrigerated Pizza Dough: I usually grab the Pillsbury classic, but whatever brand you’ve got works. Homemade dough? Sure, if you’re in a “let’s pretend I have time” mood. But store-bought totally gets the job done.
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Butter: Melted. Salted. Go big. It soaks into the bread and carries all the flavor. Don’t skimp here.
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Parmesan Cheese: Yes, the green can kind. I’ve used freshly grated before and… it’s great. But honestly? It’s not necessary.
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Garlic & Onion Powder: No, not fresh garlic. This is not that kind of breadstick. These powders are the lazy flavor MVPs.
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Dried Herbs (Oregano & Basil): You could swap them out or leave them off. But together, they kind of make it smell like a pizzeria.
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Salt: Just enough to make your taste buds perk up a little. It ties everything together.
How To Make Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks?
Step 1: Stretch It Out
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Unroll that tube of dough onto a baking sheet. I don’t even grease it, honestly. Stretch the dough a bit so it fills the pan. No rolling pin needed. It doesn’t have to be a perfect rectangle—mine never is.
Step 2: Slice First, Bake Later
Take a pizza cutter or a knife and slice the dough into strips—but don’t pull them apart. This keeps the edges soft where they touch and gives that classic breadstick-pull-apart feel. Trust me.
Step 3: First Bake
Bake them for 10 minutes. While they’re doing their thing, mix up all your seasonings and cheese in a small bowl. It won’t look like much, but the smell? Oh man. It’ll take you back.
Step 4: Butter + Season = Round One
Take the breadsticks out and slather on half the melted butter. Don’t be shy. Then sprinkle half your seasoning blend right on top. Use your hands if you have to—no one’s judging.
Step 5: Back in They Go
Bake for 5 more minutes until they start getting golden and crispy on top. I usually peek early because I’m impatient.
Step 6: Butter + Season Again
Hit them with the rest of the butter and seasoning right out of the oven. Let them sit for like… 2 minutes. Or just accept that you’re burning your mouth and it’s totally worth it.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
Honestly, they rarely last long enough to need storage advice. But on the off chance you have leftovers:
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Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to bring back that crisp.
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Microwave if you have to, but you’ll lose that edge. Still tasty, just softer.
You can even freeze them—just wrap in foil and toss them in a freezer bag. Reheat at 375°F until warm and slightly crisp again. Bonus: your house will smell amazing.
Variations and Substitutions:
I’ve played around with this recipe a bunch (mostly because I didn’t feel like going to the store). Here’s what works:
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Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella on top before the second bake. Now you’ve got cheesy breadsticks.
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Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper to the seasoning mix.
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Use crescent roll dough: It’s not exactly the same, but it’s buttery and flaky and surprisingly good.
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Go sweet: Swap out the herbs for cinnamon sugar and make dessert breadsticks. Trust me on this one.
What to Serve with Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks?
These Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks don’t need much, but here are a few solid pairings:
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Marinara Sauce: It’s the obvious choice for dipping.
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Spaghetti Night: Upgrade your pasta game.
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Tomato Soup: You’ll feel like you’re 12 again.
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A Big Salad: You know, to balance things out.
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Pizza: Double carbs. Zero regrets.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to use pizza dough?
Not at all. Crescent dough, biscuit dough, even puff pastry will kinda work. But pizza dough gives you that chewy-soft inside with a crispy edge.
Can I prep these ahead?
Totally. Just bake, cool, and reheat when you’re ready. I’ve even made a batch in the morning and warmed them up for dinner.
Can I freeze them?
Yep! Wrap in foil, freeze, and reheat at 375°F straight from the freezer. Perfect for late-night cravings or surprise guests. Or just… Tuesdays.
These Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks are a throwback, a comfort food, and a dinner-saver all in one. They’re not perfect. They don’t need to be. They’re quick, a little messy, and they absolutely deliver on that pizzeria breadstick feeling we all secretly miss more than we admit.
Give them a try. Make them your own. Burn your mouth on the first one because you couldn’t wait. And when you do? Come back here and tell me all about it.
Seriously—did yours taste like childhood too?
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks
Ingredients
- 1 13.8-ounce can refrigerated pizza crust
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1.5 teaspoons basil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 425ºF. Take out a refrigerated pizza crust and place it on a cookie sheet.
- Using a pizza cutter slice the dough into 24 strips while keeping them together. Bake these strips for 10 minutes.
- While the breadsticks are baking, prepare a seasoning mix by combining parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil and salt.
- Once the initial bake time is up remove the breadsticks from the oven. Brush half of the melted butter, onto them. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mix.
- Place the breadsticks back into the oven for 5 minutes to achieve that golden brown finish.
- After they're done baking for the time brush, on the remaining butter and sprinkle on the rest of your seasoning mix.
- Allow these homemade delights to cool for a moment before serving. Now you can enjoy these treats that bring all the flavors of pizza into your home!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
