Delightful Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks: An Easy Recipe for Any Gathering
Imagine soft, fluffy breadsticks, infused with the vibrant flavors of fresh pesto and topped with savory Parmesan cheese. Now imagine them served in a way that encourages sharing and brings people together – that’s the magic of these pull-apart breadsticks! They are incredibly fun to eat and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any meal or celebration.
The Perfect Addition to Your Holiday Feast
With holidays like Easter just around the corner, many of us are starting to finalize our festive plans. Will you be dyeing Easter eggs with the kids, embarking on an exciting egg hunt, or simply gathering with cherished family and friends for a memorable meal?
Our family traditions often include a mix of all these joyful activities, and a truly great meal is always at the heart of our celebrations. While the main course often takes center stage, don’t underestimate the power of a perfectly crafted side dish to elevate the entire dining experience. That’s where these exquisite Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks shine, ready to complement any festive spread, from a grand Easter brunch to a cozy family dinner.
The Unsung Hero: Homemade Bread
Bread and rolls are often the unsung heroes of many meals. They quietly support the main dishes, soaking up delicious sauces, offering a comforting texture, and providing a satisfying bite. Too often, they are overlooked in favor of more flashy or elaborate foods. However, these Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks are so strikingly beautiful, delightfully aromatic, and utterly delicious that they might just steal the spotlight!
Baking your own bread is a truly rewarding experience, filling your home with an aroma that instantly evokes warmth and comfort. There’s a unique satisfaction in taking simple ingredients and transforming them into something so wonderful. And with these homemade yeast-raised breadsticks, you’ll discover that baking delicious bread from scratch is much simpler than you might think.
Why These Pesto Parmesan Breadsticks Are a Must-Try
These versatile breadsticks will pair wonderfully with almost any meal, whether you’re serving a succulent Easter ham, a roasted turkey, a hearty pasta dish, or a fresh salad. The recipe is also incredibly flexible and can easily be doubled to accommodate a larger gathering, ensuring there’s plenty to go around for everyone.
What makes them truly special? It’s the harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The bread itself is incredibly soft and tender, thanks to the magic of yeast. Each bite is then bursting with the bright, herbaceous notes of pesto, complemented by the salty, nutty richness of grated Parmesan cheese, which forms a delightful crust as it bakes. This combination is a flavor match made in heaven!
Beyond their amazing taste, these breadsticks are also easy to assemble and, more importantly, incredibly fun to serve and eat. The “pull-apart” nature encourages interaction around the table, making them perfect for family-style dining. There’s simply no reason why these Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks shouldn’t be a star feature at your next big meal or casual get-together!
Mastering the Dough: Tips for Perfect Yeast Bread
Working with yeast dough can sometimes seem intimidating, but with a few simple tips, you’ll be baking like a pro in no time. The key is understanding the role of each ingredient and the purpose of each step.
Yeast Activation and Mixing
The active dry yeast in this recipe needs to be “woken up.” This happens when it’s combined with warm water (120-130°F is ideal – too cold and it won’t activate, too hot and it will die) and a bit of sugar. The sugar acts as food for the yeast, helping it to get bubbly and active. When combining the dry ingredients with the warm liquid, do so slowly to ensure even hydration of the flour. Using a stand mixer with a dough hook makes kneading effortless, but hand-kneading is just as effective and provides a wonderful tactile experience with your dough.
Kneading for Elasticity
Kneading is crucial for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure and chewy texture. You’ll know your dough is properly kneaded when it’s smooth and elastic, and it springs back slowly when gently poked. Adding the remaining flour gradually ensures you achieve the perfect consistency – sticky enough to be moist, but not so sticky that it clings to your hands or the bowl.
The First Rise: Proofing for Flavor
Allowing the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place is essential. This first rise, or bulk fermentation, not only increases the dough’s volume but also develops its flavor. Covering the bowl with plastic wrap prevents the dough from drying out and forming a crust, which can inhibit its rise. A good rule of thumb is to let it rise until it has doubled in size, typically around an hour, depending on the warmth of your environment.
How to Shape Perfect Pull-Apart Breadsticks
Shaping the breadsticks is an enjoyable part of the process, and achieving a uniform size ensures even baking. Here’s a more detailed guide to ensure your pull-apart breadsticks look as good as they taste:
- After the First Rise: Once your breadstick dough has beautifully risen and doubled in size, it’s time to gently punch it down. This step releases the gases produced by the yeast, redistributes the yeast cells, and makes the dough easier to handle. Then, knead it a few times by hand on a lightly floured surface to bring it back together.
- Divide and Conquer: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. For best results and consistent sizing, a digital kitchen scale is your best friend. Aim for each piece to weigh approximately the same. After dividing, lightly shape each piece into a small, smooth ball. This initial shaping helps create an even texture for rolling.
- Rolling into Ropes: On a clean, un-floured (or very lightly floured) surface, take one dough ball at a time. Using both hands, start with your palms together in the center of the ball and gently roll outwards. Apply even pressure as you stretch the dough, forming it into a rope approximately 8 inches long. The trick is to keep your hands moving from the center out to create an even thickness.
- Arrangement for Pull-Apart Fun: Carefully place each rope of dough onto your prepared baking pan (greased or lined with parchment paper). Arrange the breadsticks close together. This proximity is what causes them to bake into a single, interconnected mass, creating that wonderful “pull-apart” effect once they’re baked. This makes them perfect for sharing at the table.
Note: To prevent your dough from drying out while you work, always keep the pieces you’re not actively shaping covered loosely with plastic wrap. This maintains their moisture and elasticity.
Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks
12
breadsticks
30 minutes
15 minutes
1 hour
30 minutes
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Ingredients
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2 – 2 ½ cups
all-purpose flour (240-300 grams) -
1 packet
Red Star Active Dry Yeast (2 ½ teaspoons, 7 grams) -
1 teaspoon
salt -
2 tablespoons
granulated sugar -
⅔ cup
water (155 ml) -
3 tablespoons
olive oil -
¼ cup
pesto , homemade or store-bought (60 grams) -
3 tablespoons
grated parmesan cheese -
Additional pesto , for serving (optional)
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Instructions
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook (or in a large bowl if mixing and kneading by hand), combine 1 ½ cups of the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
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Heat the water and olive oil in a small saucepan until steaming. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, or until temperature is between 120-130°F. Slowly add the water and oil to the dry ingredients, while mixing on low speed. Use a spatula to scrape down the bowl as needed.
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With the mixer on medium low, add the remaining flour a ¼ cup at a time, mixing until incorporated between each addition. Continue adding flour until the dough clears the bowl and is sticky to the touch without coming off in your hands.
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Knead with a dough hook or by hand until smooth and elastic, about 5-8 minutes more.
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Shape dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Put in a warm place and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
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Gently push down on the center of the dough to release the gases and knead by hand on a clean surface a few times.
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Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll each into a rope about 8 inches long. Place on a half sheet pan or inside a 9×13-inch pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush breadsticks with pesto and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving with additional pesto, if desired.
Notes
Carbohydrates: 38g,
Protein: 6g,
Fat: 6g,
Saturated Fat: 1g,
Cholesterol: 2mg,
Sodium: 263mg,
Potassium: 56mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 2g,
Vitamin A: 115IU,
Calcium: 29mg,
Iron: 2mg
Annalise Sandberg
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A Note on Our Partnership and Quality Ingredients
Disclosure: This delicious recipe for Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks was proudly developed in partnership with Red Star Yeast. We are incredibly grateful for their support, which enables Completely Delicious to continue bringing you high-quality, inspiring recipes. Rest assured, all opinions expressed here are 100% my own, as always, reflecting my genuine love for and belief in the brands I choose to work with.
We encourage you to connect with Red Star Yeast on their social media channels for more baking inspiration and tips. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Also, be sure to visit their website, a fantastic resource filled with more wonderful recipes, expert bread baking tips, and a wealth of information to help you master the art of baking with yeast!
We hope these Pesto Parmesan Pull-Apart Breadsticks become a beloved staple in your kitchen, bringing joy and deliciousness to all your meals!