Description
Bones Breadsticks are soft, fluffy breadsticks shaped like spooky bones, perfect for Halloween or any fun occasion. They are made with a simple yeast dough, brushed with flavorful garlic butter, and served with a tangy pizza sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F)
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp instant yeast (rapid rise or bread machine yeast)
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (add until dough is just right)
- 1 tsp olive oil or vegetable oil (for dough rising, not mixed in the dough)
Garlic Butter
- 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), softened to room temperature
- 1/2 tbsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (plastic bottle kind)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Blood Dipping Sauce
- 1 jar pizza sauce or marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Proof the Yeast: In a stand mixer bowl with a dough hook, add sugar, warm water, and yeast. Stir gently to combine and let sit until foamy and bubbly, about 5 minutes, to ensure the yeast is active.
- Mix the Dough: Once yeast is foamy, add salt and 2 cups of flour. Mix on low-medium speed. Dough will be sticky and wet.
- Add More Flour: Gradually add flour, about 1 cup at a time, while mixing, until dough pulls away from bowl sides and is slightly sticky to touch but mostly clean. The dough should be soft and pliable.
- Knead the Dough: Continue mixing on medium speed for a few minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Remove the dough hook, oil the dough ball all over with olive or vegetable oil, cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel, and let dough rise near warm oven until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 425°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it well.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: Mix softened butter with garlic salt, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and onion powder. Microwave for 10 seconds if too firm, but do not melt completely. Set aside.
- Shape Breadsticks: Punch down dough and place on a floured surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a snake, leaving a ball at each end. Push your finger into each ball to create bone shapes.
- Second Rise: Place shaped bone breadsticks on prepared baking sheet, cover with kitchen towel, and let rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
- Bake: Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until tops are barely golden brown. Check at 8 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Remove from oven and immediately brush the warm breadsticks with garlic butter for flavor and shine.
- Serve: Serve warm with a side of pizza or marinara sauce as a fun and tasty dipping sauce.
Notes
- Add flour gradually during mixing until dough is soft, slightly sticky, and pulls away from sides. Dough feel is a key indicator for right consistency.
- Garlic butter can be substituted with garlic basil butter spread, plain butter, or store-bought seasoned butter for variety.
- For a sweet twist, brush the baked breadsticks with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar instead of garlic butter.
- Ensure oven is fully preheated to 425°F for best baking results and rise the dough near the oven to speed up the rising process.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breadstick
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
