Description
These crispy cheesy garlic bread pizza sticks are a mashup of classic garlic bread and pizza, loaded with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan, herby garlic butter, and a crunchy crust. Perfect for parties, snacks, or family gatherings, they come with a simple marinara dip for dunking.
Ingredients
- 1 large baguette or Italian loaf (about 12 oz, preferably day-old)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture preferred)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni or cooked sausage (optional)
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- 1 cup prepared marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tbsp chopped basil or parsley (for dip)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Slice baguette or Italian loaf into sticks about 1 inch wide (12-16 sticks per loaf).
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning; stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Lay bread sticks on baking sheet. Brush each stick generously with garlic butter, including sides and edges. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over each stick. Press lightly so cheese adheres. Add pepperoni or sausage and any desired veggies.
- Bake for 10-14 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and golden and bread edges are crisp. Rotate pan halfway through for even browning.
- Remove from oven and let sticks cool on a wire rack for 3-5 minutes.
- For marinara dip: Warm marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Arrange pizza sticks on a platter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm with marinara dip.
Notes
Use day-old bread for extra crispiness. Don’t overload with toppings to avoid soggy sticks. For gluten-free, use a GF baguette. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and cheese. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for ultra-crunchy sticks, but watch closely. Sticks can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sticks with dip
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 9
Keywords: garlic bread, pizza sticks, cheesy breadsticks, party snack, marinara dip, easy appetizer, kid-friendly, game day, comfort food