No-Knead Italian Breadstick Twists

Are you guys ready for football season?! We (shock!) aren’t big fans. Not that we don’t like it, we just don’t have the time.

Oblique view of a batch of no-knead Italian breadsticks wrapped in a towel to keep warm sitting in a cast iron skillet with a cup of marinara sauce in the background.

When we both work full time and AJ’s got 3 cars to work on and I’ve got my food writing to get through and we still like to exercise as much as possible, well, we just don’t find the tome to watch any TV. We don’t even have cable!

All that aside, I know the Superbowl is a big deal. When I was growing up my parents used to have a big (50ish people, if I remember correctly) party with a score-guessing game and lots of food and a really big TV.

It was fun! I don’t believe they do it anymore, but my sister is certainly carrying on the tradition – she’s a big game fan. So, I know how important it is to have amazingly tasty but finger-food-approved food around. And I’m here to help!

Top view of a batch of no-knead dough for Italian twist breadsticks in white mixing bowl sitting on a dark wooden table.

Last week I showed you guys the Vegan Jalapeno Poppers, which are super amazing and you should definitely make for them for you next game-day gathering. They are perfect for snacking.

Then on Monday I gave you a Soyrizo Taco Salad, which would make a great party meal – a make your own taco salad bar! And today? Today is breadsticks. No-Knead Italian Breadstick Twists, to be exact.

Top down view of a batch of unbaked Italian breadstick twists on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

I know everyone goes for the chips & salsa at parties, and they are totally correct in doing so. Chips & salsa are amazing.

BUT! If you really want to wow your guests (but not really work that hard), this breadstick recipe is it. Just look at them! The process, however, is super simple – you just need a bit of planning ahead.

Oblique view of a batch of baked no-knead Italian breadsticks on a parchment paper covered baking sheet.

Simply mix the dough together in a large bowl, then let it sit for about 90 minutes. Then roll it out, spread some butter and herbs across the top, slice into strips, and twist ’em up. Then into the oven they go for 25 minutes, and you’re done!

Oblique shot of twisted no knead Italian breadsticks cooling on parchment paper.

I know making bread, and especially breadsticks, can seem daunting, but it really doesn’t get any easier than this. It also doesn’t get much more delicious!

A human hand dips a no-knead Italian twisted breadstick into a white bowl containing red marina sauce. More breadsticks wrapped in a white towel are in the background.

I decided to use some authentic Italian semolina flour for these, which gives them that pretty yellow hue and a nice subtle flavor. You can find it at most well-stocked grocery stores and definitely at natural foods stores. I use it in all my pizza doughs, Italian-style breads, and definitely in breadsticks.

A bread stick being removed from a cup of marina sauce.

These are best served with a bit of warm marinara sauce as an appetizer, or as a side dish to a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

Stock up on your favorite kind or make a quick sauce from scratch at home, because these are going to go like hotcakes. And the best part? All your game-day buddies will love you for it!

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Close up of a batch of no-knead Italian breadstick twists wrapped in a warming towel.

No-Knead Italian Breadstick Twists


  • Author: Raquel Smith
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 15 breadsticks 1x

Description

A delicious and easy recipe for no-knead Italian breadsticks. Perfect for a party, a gathering, or just for dinner. These super versatile and are a great complement to pasta, lasagna, or soup!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/4 cups bread flour
  • 1 cup semolina flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 1/3 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter (substitute a non-dairy spread for vegan-friendliness if desired)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp dry Italian herbs
  • 2 tsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Combine the flours in a large bowl. Mix in the salt, then separately mix in the yeast and sugar. Pour the warm water and the olive oil into the bowl and mix everything together using a dough whisk or a large spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm spot for about 90 minutes, or until the dough has become very puffy and about doubled in size.
  2. Heat the oven to 375ºF. Cover a baking sheet with parchment, then sprinkle with a bit of semolina flour.
  3. Lightly flour a large wooden cutting board  or a pastry board and scrape the dough out of the bowl and onto the board. Give it just a few kneads to bring it together. Let the dough relax for about 10 minutes, then roll it out into an 8×12″ rectangle.
  4. Melt the butter, then use a pastry brush to distribute it evenly across the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the garlic powder and the Italian herbs over the surface. Cut the dough into 1″ wide strips and roll into twists, as shown.
  5. Place the twists on the semolina-sprinkled baking sheet about 1 1/2″ apart. Bake 25-30 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden brown. Serve immediately with some warm marinara sauce. Enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Baked Goods

Keywords: breadsticks, Italian, no-knead

What about you? How do you like to serve yours? Maybe with a garlic-butter sauce in addition to the marinara? Let us know in the comments below and please rate the recipe if you loved it!

Want to stay on the no-knead train? A thick slice of our no-knead oat bread is the perfect smeared with your favorite jam and butter!

And if these breadsticks hit the spot, be sure to check out these similar recipes:

Photos by Raquel Smith, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on January 29th, 2015. Last updated: February 25, 2023 at 13:23 pm.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Raquel Smith

Raquel is a whole foods enthusiast, an avid mountain biker, and a dog lover. She works by day at Food Blogger Pro and formerly maintained her food blog "My California Roots" (now merged into Foodal).

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