These gluten free cheesy breadsticks are one of my favorite things to make when I want something warm, cheesy, and satisfying. They come out golden on the edges with bubbly melted mozzarella on top, and they taste just as good as the regular version.

The dough is really simple to put together. You just mix everything in one bowl, let it rise for a bit, then press it into a pan and bake. No complicated steps or hard to find ingredients.

Once they come out of the oven, you brush them with a little garlic butter and fresh parsley. That part takes them to a whole other level.

Being gluten free doesn’t mean you have to skip out on classics like cheesy breadsticks. This recipe proves that. They’re soft, flavorful, and perfect for dipping into marinara sauce.

Whether you’re making these for a movie night, a side dish, or just because you’re craving something cheesy, they won’t disappoint. Let me show you how to make them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Gluten Free Pizza Night – These cheesy breadsticks pair amazingly with marinara sauce and make the ultimate side dish for any gluten free pizza night. They bring that pizzeria vibe right to your kitchen without any gluten.

Seriously Cheesy – With a full cup and a half of melted, bubbly mozzarella on top, these breadsticks deliver that gooey, stretchy cheese pull you’ve been missing since going gluten free.

The Garlic Butter Brush Makes Them Irresistible – That melted butter and garlic powder combo brushed on right out of the oven takes these breadsticks to the next level. It adds a rich, buttery garlic flavor that makes them taste like they came from a restaurant.

Only 30 Minutes of Rise Time – Unlike a lot of yeast doughs that need hours to rise, this dough only needs 30 minutes. That means you can go from mixing the dough to pulling golden cheesy breadsticks out of the oven in about an hour.

Ingredients

2 cups Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
2 1/4 tsp Instant Yeast
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
3/4 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Warm Water
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 large Egg
1 1/2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
Marinara Sauce for serving

How to Make

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together gluten free flour, sugar, instant yeast, xanthan gum, and salt. Add warm water, olive oil, and egg and mix until a sticky dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 400F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Grease the parchment with cooking spray.

Step 3

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using wet hands to prevent sticking. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

Step 4

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5

Mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush over the hot breadsticks. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into sticks and serve with warm marinara sauce.

Helpful Tips

Get the Water Temperature Right

The warm water you use to make the dough needs to be around 100-110F. If you don’t have a thermometer, it should feel warm on your wrist but not hot.

If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast and your dough won’t rise at all. If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate and you’ll end up with flat, dense breadsticks.

This is one of those small details that makes a big difference in how the final texture turns out.

Don’t Skip the Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is what holds everything together in gluten free baking. Without gluten, there’s nothing to give the dough stretch and structure, and that’s exactly what xanthan gum does here.

If you leave it out, the breadsticks will crumble apart the second you try to pick one up. Some gluten free flour blends already have xanthan gum mixed in, so check your bag before adding more. If yours already contains it, you can skip the extra teaspoon listed in the recipe.

Give the Dough a Warm Spot to Rise

Gluten free dough doesn’t rise as dramatically as regular dough, but it still needs that 30 minutes in a warm place. You should notice it puff up a little and look slightly lighter.

If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven on to the lowest setting for about 2 minutes, then turn it off. Place the covered bowl inside and let it rise there. That little bit of warmth makes a real difference.

Don’t rush this step or skip it. It helps the breadsticks come out softer instead of dense and heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour?

Gluten free 1-to-1 baking flour is a blend designed to replace regular all-purpose flour in equal amounts. Popular brands like Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur make versions that already include xanthan gum and starches to mimic the texture of wheat flour.

If your 1-to-1 flour already contains xanthan gum, you can reduce or skip the extra xanthan gum called for in this recipe to avoid a gummy texture.