Irresistible Homemade Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks Recipe
Deliciously soft and cheesy Homemade Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks made from scratch with a buttery dough, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, herbs, and garlic salt. Served warm with marinara sauce for dipping, these irresistible cheese sticks are perfect for appetizers or snacks that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cheese sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (can be reduced for less sweetness)
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (gluten-free flour can be used)
- 2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (instant yeast can replace)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (can be reduced if sodium is a concern)
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (can be replaced with olive oil)
- 1 large Egg Yolk (a flax egg can be used for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano (substitute with Italian seasoning or basil)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt (fresh minced garlic can be an alternative)
For the Topping
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (alternatives include provolone or Monterey Jack)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (nutritional yeast can be used as a dairy-free option)
For Dipping
- 1 cup Marinara Sauce (any favorite sauce like ranch or barbeque works)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Begin by combining 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast with half of the warm water (about 1/2 cup), letting it foam for approximately 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter (melted), 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and the remaining half of the warm water. Stir in 1 large egg yolk and the foamy yeast mixture, then gradually add 3 cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until just incorporated to form a dough.
- Assemble Breadsticks: Brush a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with melted butter. Spread the prepared dough evenly in the dish. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake and Serve: Once the dough has risen, remove the plastic wrap and brush the top with remaining melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Bake in the preheated oven for 28–31 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Let it cool for 10 minutes before cutting into sticks. Serve warm with 1 cup of marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before baking for a spicy kick.
- Allowing the cheese sticks to cool for about 10 minutes before cutting helps them maintain their shape.
- Gluten-free flour and dairy-free cheese alternatives can be used to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Using instant yeast can speed up the dough preparation time.
Keywords: Pizza Hut style cheese sticks, homemade cheese sticks, easy cheese sticks recipe, baked cheese sticks, marinara dipping sauce, cheesy appetizer
