There are side dishes you make because something needs to accompany the pasta. And then there are side dishes like these Vegan Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks — the kind that come out of the oven golden and pulling apart, drenched in garlic butter and bubbling with melted vegan cheese, so deeply savory and so completely irresistible that they upstage whatever they are supposed to be accompanying. This is that breadstick. The one that disappears before the main dish has even been plated. The one that makes people reach across the table without waiting to be offered one.
These breadsticks start with a simple yeasted dough that bakes into a soft, pillowy base, brushed generously with garlicky vegan butter and topped with a generous layer of shredded vegan mozzarella that melts into long, glossy strands, then scattered with fresh parsley and a pinch of chili flakes for color and warmth. They are simultaneously one of the simplest and most crowd-pleasing things you can pull out of an oven.
What makes these breadsticks so outstanding is the garlic butter — made with real minced garlic, vegan butter, fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt, brushed both under and over the cheese layer so that the garlic flavor permeates every component of the finished stick rather than sitting only on the surface.
This recipe is 100% vegan, ready in about 90 minutes including rising time, and absolutely wonderful served immediately from the oven, pulled apart by hand, alongside pasta, soup, or a simple salad.
Recipe Information
| Prep Time | Rise Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mins | 60 mins | 15 mins | 95 mins | 8 | ~280 kcal |
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp (7g) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (180ml) warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Garlic Butter
- 5 tbsp vegan butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, very finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
For the Topping
- 1½ cups (180g) vegan mozzarella, shredded
- Extra fresh parsley for garnish
- Flaky sea salt for finishing
Optional Add-ins
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast mixed into the garlic butter for extra savory depth
- A light dusting of smoked paprika before baking
- Vegan parmesan scattered over alongside the mozzarella
Instructions
- Activate the yeast. Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the dough. In a large bowl combine the flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 7–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes until doubled.
- Make the garlic butter. Mix together the softened vegan butter, minced garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and chili flakes if using until well combined.
- Shape the breadsticks. Punch down the risen dough and roll or press into a rectangle approximately 25 x 30cm on a lined baking sheet. Spread half the garlic butter evenly over the surface.
- Top with cheese. Scatter the shredded vegan mozzarella evenly over the garlic butter surface. Spread the remaining garlic butter over the cheese.
- Rest briefly. Cover loosely and let rest for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the dough is golden at the edges and the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden patches.
- Cut and serve. Remove from the oven and immediately scatter with extra fresh parsley and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Cut into sticks and serve immediately while the cheese is still melted and the garlic butter is fragrant.
Pro Tips
- Use plenty of garlic butter — these breadsticks are not the place for restraint. A generous, even coating under and over the cheese is what makes them so deeply flavored and satisfying.
- Shred the vegan mozzarella yourself from a block if possible, as pre-shredded vegan cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
- Bake at a high temperature for the best melt and golden color — a lower temperature produces paler, less appealing cheese.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is still in its best melted state — vegan cheese firms up more quickly than dairy cheese as it cools.
Why These Breadsticks Are Universally Irresistible
Garlic bread in any form occupies a specific category of food that combines three of the most universally appealing flavors — butter, garlic, and bread — in a single preparation. Adding melted cheese introduces a fourth deeply satisfying element (the specific umami and textural satisfaction of molten cheese), and the combination of all four becomes almost impossible to resist for most people regardless of dietary preference.
Flavor Variations
- Pesto Cheesy Breadsticks: Replace the garlic butter with a generous layer of vegan pesto under the cheese for a herby, nutty version.
- Marinara Dipping Breadsticks: Serve with a bowl of warm marinara sauce alongside for dipping for a classic Italian-American combination.
- Everything Bagel Breadsticks: Replace the chili flakes with everything bagel seasoning scattered over the cheese before baking.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving — 2 breadsticks)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fiber | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~280 kcal | 7g | 34g | 1g | 12g |
Storage
- Best fresh: Cheesy garlic breadsticks are at their absolute peak straight from the oven while the cheese is still melted. Serve immediately whenever possible.
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer for 4–5 minutes to restore some of the original texture.
- Freezer: Freeze baked, cooled breadsticks for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10–12 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these without yeast using store-bought dough?
Yes — store-bought vegan pizza dough works beautifully as the base for these breadsticks and reduces the total time to under 30 minutes.
What vegan mozzarella melts best?
Brands specifically marketed as melting or stretchy vegan mozzarella perform best — check the packaging for melting claims. Block-style vegan mozzarella shredded fresh generally outperforms pre-shredded varieties.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes — use a gluten-free pizza dough or a gluten-free flour blend for the yeasted dough. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious when topped generously with garlic butter and cheese.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook — we love seeing your plant-powered creations. Looking for more irresistible vegan bread and side dish recipes? Browse all recipes on Easy Vegan Recipes — new recipes posted every single week!