Grissini Italian Breadsticks

Name: Grissini / Italian Breadsticks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ cup + 1 tablespoon water (lukewarm) ((135 grams total)); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon honey or sugar; 1¾ cups + 1/2 tablespoon all purpose flour ((222 grams total)); 1 teaspoon active dry yeast; 2¼ tablespoons olive oil

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Long crunchy sticks of bread better known as Grissini or Italian Breadsticks. These homemade breadsticks make the perfect appetizer or serve with a bowl of soup or stew.

Grissini with cold meat, olives, artichokes on a board.

There are some foods in Italian that everyone knows about, so there is really no need to translate. Such as Pizza, Pasta and Prosciutto!

Where did Breadstick originate?

But other foods maybe the less known foods such as these crunchy Grissini I wasn’t sure about. And I knew everyone would know what a bread stick was. But did you also know that breadsticks really are Italian, they originated in Turin Italy.

The legend is, that back in 1679 the Court Doctor ordered the Court Baker to invent a type of bread to feed the future King Vittorio Amedeo II. He was very unhealthy and could not digest the soft inside of the bread.

And so the Grissini / Breadstick was invented. The success of these Breadsticks was extremely quick, probably because they were easier to digest than regular bread and because they could be kept long, in fact weeks without going bad.

Another interesting story is that a famous admire of these Breadsticks was Napoleon Bonaparte, it is said that he created at the beginning of the 19th century a bus service that ran between Turin and Paris.

That was or so they say, mainly dedicated to transporting what he called “Les Petits Batons de Turin”.

Recipe Ingredients

Water – luke-warm water
Salt
Honey – or granulated sugar
Flour – bread flour or all purpose flour
Yeast – active dry yeast
Olive oil

Breadsticks in a glass and 3 on the board with prosciutto.

Make sure the yeast is still active

The yeast you are using could be old or dead, to tell if the yeast is still active, in a small bowl add a 1/2 cup of water, sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of yeast and a pinch of sugar over the top, stir it up, then let it stand for about 5 minutes.

If the yeast is still active, it will dissolve completely into the water and the liquid will start bubbling.

Make sure your water isn’t too hot or too cold. Too hot and you will kill the yeast, too cold and it will take a long time for the dough to rise. The perfect temperature is 100-110F.

How to add yeast to the recipe

Before I made this dough I did a little research on the best way to make dough rise, I noticed that some people let the dough sit for 5 minutes in slightly warm or tepid water, others add it to their flour and then add the liquid on top.

I discovered a post by Tom Lehmann “The Dough Doctor” that basically said that both these methods can have ill effects on the dough.

Grissini on a board with two wrapped in prosciutto.

How to Make Grissini / Breadsticks

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment add the water, salt and honey, then place the flour on top and add the yeast, mix on low speed to start then increase to medium speed for 2 minutes, add the olive oil and continue to mix for about 5-7 minutes or until you have a compact and elastic dough that comes away from the sides of the bowl.

Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and knead a few time to shape into a ball. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place in a draft free warm area to rise. Let rise until doubled in bulk.

bread sticks how to make from the dough to rising to forming the sticks

Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a sheet of parchment paper that is lightly oiled, form into a flat rectangle shape and cut small pieces of dough.

Stretch with your fingers to form long sticks. Place the sticks on the prepared baking sheets and bake until golden brown. Let cool and serve.

What additions can you add?

If you wish to add seeds such as poppy seeds or sesame seeds or add some chopped herbs such as rosemary or a sprinkle of Italian seasonings, even some freshly grated parmesan cheese to the dough. Gently knead the additions into the dough and continue with the recipe.

If you wish to add seeds or chopped rosemary before baking the breadsticks, then brush with a little olive oil or melted butter or even garlic butter, and sprinkle with seeds or rosemary.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast?

Yes you can, instead of 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast use 3/4 teaspoon of active dry. Add it to the recipe the same way, the rising time will be quicker so keep your eye on the dough.

What to serve with breadsticks

I like to serve these as an appetizer with prosciutto and cheese or along a bowl of soup or stew or even as an accompaniment with a simple salad.

Can the dough be made by hand?

Yes it can, add the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon until almost combined, move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and knead until elastic, this should take about 10-12 minutes, then continue with the recipe.

How to store them

The completely cooled breadsticks should be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature. They will keep for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing them.

Italian Breadsticks / Grissini are really tasty and crunchy, they make a delicious appetizer, serve with your favourite soup or stew or as my daughter loves, as an afternoon snack. Enjoy!

Grissini on a board some wrapped in prosciutto.

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