Easy Copycat Papa John’s Breadsticks Recipe for Homemade Takeout Nights

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Easy Copycat Papa John’s Breadsticks (Soft, Buttery & Perfect for Dipping)

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably opened a pizza box and gone straight for the soft, garlicky breadsticks before even touching a slice. There’s just something about those warm, golden sticks brushed with buttery garlic and sprinkled with seasoning that makes them impossible to resist. Today I’m sharing my homemade copycat Papa John’s breadsticks recipe that you can bake right in your own kitchen. They’re fluffy inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and made for dipping in warm pizza sauce. And the best part? You don’t need a fancy mixer or special tools—just a bowl, a pan, and a little patience while the dough rises.

A Quick Background on Papa John’s & Their Iconic Breadsticks

Papa John’s is one of the big names in American takeout pizza. When people think of it, they often picture:
  • Big cardboard boxes that smell like melted cheese and tomato sauce
  • The signature garlic butter cup
  • And of course…those pillowy, golden breadsticks
These breadsticks are:
  • Soft and chewy on the inside
  • Lightly crisp and golden on the outside
  • Brushed with savory garlic butter
  • Sprinkled with a simple seasoned topping and salt
When you tear one open, you get that gentle pull of warm dough and a wave of buttery, garlicky aroma. Dip it in warm pizza sauce or marinara, and it’s basically comfort food in stick form. Note: This is a homemade copycat recipe inspired by Papa John’s breadsticks. It is not the original restaurant recipe, and we’re not claiming any connection or endorsement.

Copycat Papa John’s Breadsticks Recipe

Copycat Papa John’s breadsticks on a tray, brushed with garlic butter and served with marinara dipping sauce.
Homemade copycat Papa John’s breadsticks — soft, buttery, and perfect for dipping in warm marinara


Yield: About 12–16 breadsticks (depending on how you slice them)
Serving size: 2 breadsticks (about 6–8 servings total)
Prep time: 15 minutes active + 60–75 minutes rise time
Cook time: 12–15 minutes
Total time: About 1.5–2 hours

Ingredients

For the dough:
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 105–110°F — warm but not hot)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus a little extra for the bowl and pan)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour (start with 3 1/2 cups, add more as needed)
For the garlic butter topping:
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1–2 teaspoons garlic powder (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (optional, for color)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon fine salt (adjust to taste)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional but highly recommended)
For serving (optional but delicious):
  • Warm pizza sauce or marinara
  • Extra melted butter or garlic dipping sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions (With Simple Tips)

Step 1: Activate the yeast

1. In a large mixing bowl, add:
  • Warm water (105–110°F)
  • Sugar
  • Yeast
2. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the top looks foamy and bubbly.
3. If nothing happens and it stays flat, your yeast may be dead or the water too hot/cold. It’s best to start over here so your dough rises well.

Step 2: Make the dough

1. To the yeast mixture, add:
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • 3 1/2 cups of flour
2. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until it forms a rough, shaggy dough.
3. If the dough is very sticky, add a little more flour, a few tablespoons at a time, until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl and you can handle it.

Step 3: Knead the dough

You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer:
  • By hand: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 7–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • With a stand mixer: Use the dough hook on low speed for about 5–7 minutes, adding a little flour if the dough clings to the bottom of the bowl.
You’ll know it’s ready when:
  • The dough feels soft and slightly tacky but not sticky
  • If you press it with a finger, it slowly bounces back

Step 4: First rise

1. Lightly oil a clean bowl with a bit of olive oil.
2. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat it with oil.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
4. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 45–60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. Tip: A turned-off oven with the light on or a warm corner of the kitchen works great.

Step 5: Shape the breadsticks

1. Lightly oil a large baking sheet or a rimmed sheet pan. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
2. Gently punch down the risen dough to release air.
3. Transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
4. Press and stretch the dough into a large rectangle, about:
  • 12 x 9 inches for thicker, softer breadsticks
  • 14 x 10 inches for slightly thinner sticks
5. Try to keep the thickness even so they bake uniformly.

Step 6: Second rise

1. Cover the dough lightly with a towel or plastic wrap (grease the plastic lightly so it doesn’t stick).
2. Let it rest and rise for another 20–30 minutes, until puffy. While it’s rising, preheat your oven to 425°F.

Step 7: Make the garlic butter topping

1. Melt the butter in a small bowl (microwave or stovetop).
2. Stir in:
  • Garlic powder
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Parsley (if using)
  • Onion powder (if using)
  • Salt
3. Taste the mixture. If you like a stronger garlic kick, add a bit more garlic powder or salt.

Step 8: Score and bake

1. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, lightly score the dough into breadstick shapes. Don’t cut all the way through; just outline:
  • Cut lengthwise down the middle
  • Then crosswise into 6–8 strips, giving you 12–16 breadsticks total
2. Brush the top generously with about half of the garlic butter mixture.
3. Place the pan in the preheated 425°F oven.
4. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until:
  • The tops are light golden brown
  • The internal temperature reaches at least 190–200°F in the thickest part (safe and fully baked)

Step 9: Finish with buttery goodness

1. Remove the pan from the oven.
2. While the breadsticks are still hot, brush with the remaining garlic butter.
3. Sprinkle generously with:
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Extra salt, if you like them saltier (just a pinch or two)
4. Use your pizza cutter or knife to cut along the scored lines and separate into sticks. Serve warm with pizza sauce, marinara, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Approximate Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

Per serving (2 breadsticks, out of 14 total): These numbers are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and sizes.
  • Calories: ~220–250
  • Carbs: ~32–35g
  • Protein: ~5–6g
  • Fat: ~8–10g
  • Saturated fat: ~4–5g
  • Sodium: ~350–450mg
If you add extra Parmesan or use salted butter, the sodium and fat will go up slightly.

Simple Shortcuts & Easy Tools (Including Air Fryer Option)

Want these copycat breadsticks on the table with even less effort? Here are some time-saving ideas.

Use store-bought pizza dough

If you don’t feel like making dough from scratch:
  • Buy 1 pound of fresh pizza dough from the store or your local pizza shop.
  • Let it come to room temperature for 20–30 minutes so it’s easier to stretch.
  • Then jump in at Step 5: Shape the breadsticks and continue with the recipe.
You’ll still get that soft, chewy, Papa John’s-style breadstick vibe, just faster.

Air fryer breadsticks (small batch)

If you’re feeding just one or two people, the air fryer can be a fun option.
1. Prepare the dough as written, but after rising, pinch off small dough logs (about 1 inch thick and 4 inches long).
2. Brush or spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil.
3. Place a few breadsticks in the basket, leaving space between them.
4. Brush with garlic butter.
5. Air fry at 350°F for about 6–9 minutes, until golden and cooked through (aim for around 190–200°F internal temperature).
6. Brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan right after cooking.
You may need to cook in batches, depending on basket size.

No stand mixer? No problem.

This dough is very doable by hand:
  • Use a sturdy spoon to bring the dough together.
  • Knead on a lightly floured counter for about 8–10 minutes.
  • If your arms get tired, take a short break—dough is forgiving.

Allergy-Friendly & Special Diet Swaps

Everyone deserves a warm breadstick. Here are some ways to adjust this recipe to fit different needs.

Gluten-free option

Making truly fluffy gluten-free breadsticks is a bit trickier, but you can get close:
  • Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour that’s made for yeast baking.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it.
  • Expect a softer, more batter-like dough—press it into the pan with oiled or wet fingers.
  • Rise times may vary; just look for some puffiness.
Texture will be a little different from wheat breadsticks, but the garlic butter and seasoning will still make them taste great.

Dairy-free / Vegan

With a couple of easy swaps, these become dairy-free and vegan:
  • Use vegan butter or a neutral oil (like avocado oil) instead of dairy butter.
  • Skip the Parmesan cheese, or use a dairy-free Parmesan-style topping.
  • The dough itself is already egg-free and dairy-free as written.
The breadsticks will still be soft, garlicky, and perfect for dipping.

Paleo / Low-carb style

These are traditional wheat breadsticks, so they’re not naturally paleo or low-carb. If you follow those diets strictly, you may prefer: You can still borrow the garlic butter topping from this recipe and use it on your preferred base.

Food Safety Tips

To keep things safe and tasty:
  • Use water around 105–110°F for the yeast. Hotter water can kill the yeast, colder water slows it down.
  • Bake until the breadsticks reach at least 190–200°F internally so the dough is fully cooked.
  • Don’t leave melted butter or garlic butter out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
  • Store leftover breadsticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge up to 4 days.
  • Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.

How to Serve & Store Your Copycat Papa John’s Breadsticks

These breadsticks are best served warm, right out of the oven if possible. Here are some fun ways to enjoy them:
  • With warm pizza sauce or marinara
  • Alongside a bowl of soup or chili
  • As a side to pasta night
  • As a snack during game day or movie night
To store:
  • Cool completely before storing.
  • Keep in an airtight container or zip-top bag.
To reheat:
  • Oven: 350°F for about 5–8 minutes.
  • Air fryer: 320–350°F for 3–5 minutes.
  • Microwave: 15–20 seconds (they’ll be softer, less crisp).
If they seem dry, brush lightly with a bit of melted butter after reheating.

Let’s Talk Breadsticks! Share Your Version

Did you try this copycat Papa John’s breadsticks recipe? Did you add extra garlic? Use an air fryer? Make them vegan or gluten-free? I’d love to hear how they turned out for you:
  • Leave a comment with your tweaks or tips.
  • Share this recipe with a friend who always steals the breadsticks from the pizza box.
  • Save it for your next pizza night so you can skip the delivery fees and make everything at home.
Your feedback helps other home cooks, and it also helps us keep creating more easy copycat recipes for you.

Disclaimers

Copycat recipe disclaimer: This recipe is a homemade copycat version inspired by Papa John’s breadsticks. It is not the original recipe, and we have no access to any proprietary information or formulas from Papa John’s. All trademarks and names belong to their respective owners. This recipe is for personal, non-commercial use only and is simply our best approximation based on taste and common baking techniques.
Affiliate disclaimer: Simply Copycat Recipes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you purchase through some of our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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