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    Home » Aperitivo » "Grissini" Italian Crunchy Breadsticks

    "Grissini" Italian Crunchy Breadsticks

    Published: Apr 25, 2021 · Modified: Oct 2, 2022 by Jessica Montanelli · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Total time to make this recipe: 50 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    overhead of a basket with italian breadsticks

    Grissini are the classic Italian crunchy breadsticks that you would generally find on the restaurant's table upon arrival. Their use is mostly to calm down the hunger while you wait for your dinner to arrive, but they can also often be served during Aperitivo or as appetizers with charcuterie and cheese.

    overhead of a basket with italian breadsticks

    No matter what your age or your level of hunger is when you sit at the table and find a basket of Grissini breadsticks looking at you, you take one. And then another one, and another one. They're so crunchy and addictive! It's a great way to start any meal, especially if accompanied by a bubbly drink.

    I like them thin and very crunchy, but you can also make them a bit thicker. You can also twist them or flatten them. Try different sizes to find which one you like the most!

    Jump to:
    • How do you serve Grissini?
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • FAQ & Tips
    • Related Recipes you might like
    • 📖 RECIPE

    How do you serve Grissini?

    Grissini are crunchy Italian breadsticks and are perfect for Aperitivo, accompanied by Prosecco or Aperol Spritz. You can serve them on a charcuterie board as they go perfectly with cheese and Italian charcuterie. My favorite way to eat them is by rolling a slice of Parma ham around them.

    They're also perfect with dips and with hummus, thanks to their long shape. Or why not, eat them on their own as a snack. Bring them to a picnic in the park or eat them in your garden or terrace in summer with a bubbly drink.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    list of ingredients to make grissini breadsticks

    Some ingredients in this recipe can be easily substituted if you don't have them available or want to change the flavor a bit. But keep in mind that the end result may differ from the original recipe.

    • Instant Dry Yeast: If you can't use instant dry yeast, you can substitute it with baking powder in equal amounts. In that case, you don't have to dissolve it in water but you can mix it directly into the flour.
    • Honey: You can substitute honey with barley malt (preferred) or simply with granulated sugar. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved in the warm water before you combine it with the other ingredients.
    • All-Purpose Flour: You can use wholemeal flour, spelt flour, or any other flour that can also be used to make bread.
    • Olive Oil: In place of olive oil, you can use any other vegetable oil you have available, but keep in mind that the flavor of breadsticks may be different.
    • Semolina Flour: Semolina is not a mandatory ingredient for this recipe but it gives the breadsticks a nice and rustic texture. You can replace it with cornflour or any other flour you have.

    Instructions

    First, divide the warm water into 2 bowls and add the honey and instant dry yeast in one. Let it sit for a few minutes. In the other bowl with water dissolve the salt.

    ball of dough in a while bowl

    In a large bowl add the sifted flour and the water with honey and yeast. Start mixing, then add the olive oil and the remaining water with salt. Mix for a few minutes until you get an elastic dough.

    dough stretched on a wooden board dusted with semolina

    Then transfer the dough to a cutting board dusted with semolina flour. Flatten the dough and give it a roughly rectangular shape which will make it easier to cut it later.

    Brush the top with a bit of olive oil and dust with some semolina. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest for about 1 hour. Preheat the oven at 200°C / 400°F.

    the dough is cut into strips on a wooden board

    With a knife, cut the dough into strips and pull them with your hands until you get the desired thickness for the breadsticks.

    raw grissini are stretched on a baking sheet

    Place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden. Don't take them out if they're still white or they will be chewy and not crunchy.

    grissini breadsticks in a basket and on the table

    FAQ & Tips

    How do you store Grissini?

    To keep them crunchy, you need to store them in an aerated place, away from humidity. Preferably keep them in a lined breadbasket for up to 5 days.

    Can I use baking powder instead of yeast?

    Yes, you can substitute the yeast with an equal amount of baking powder. Although the end result may be different.

    Is this recipe vegan?

    If you substitute the honey with granulated sugar (see above for more details on ingredients substitutions) the breadsticks will be vegan.

    Related Recipes you might like

    • Tomato and Mozzarella Caprese Bruschetta
    • Onion Focaccia Bread
    • Campari Spritz
    • Spicy Sriracha Chickpea Salad

    If you like this recipe, you can leave a comment and a star rating to support me. ★★★★★
    Thank you so much!

    📖 RECIPE

    overhead of a basket with italian breadsticks

    "Grissini" Italian Crunchy Breadsticks

    Grissini are thin and crunchy Italian breadsticks. Perfect for the Aperitivo or as an appetizer accompanied with charcuterie and cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Author: Jessica Montanelli

    Ingredients

    • ¾ teaspoon Instant Dry Yeast
    • ½ teaspoon Honey
    • ¾ teaspoon Salt
    • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour, sifted
    • ⅔ cup Warm Water
    • 2 ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
    • Semolina Flour, coarse

    Instructions

    • First, divide the warm water into 2 bowls and add the honey and instant dry yeast in one. Let it sit for a few minutes. In the other bowl with water dissolve the salt.
    • In a large bowl or in a stand mixer, add the sifted flour and add the water with honey and yeast. Start mixing, then add the olive oil and the remaining water with salt.
    • Mix for a few minutes, then transfer the dough to a cutting board dusted with semolina flour. Flatten the dough and give it a roughly rectangular shape which will make it easier to cut it later.
    • Brush the top with a bit of olive oil and dust with some semolina. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest for about 1 hour.
    • Preheat the oven at 200°C / 400°F.
    • With a knife, cut the dough into strips and pull them with your hands until you get the desired thickness for the breadsticks. Divide them into smaller pieces if they become too long. Place them well separated on a lined baking sheet.
    • If you want to make them a bit fancier, brush them with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or any other seasoning of your choice on top.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden. Don't take them out if they're still white or they will be chewy and not crunchy.

    Notes

    How do you store Grissini? To keep them crunchy, you need to store them in an aerated place, away from humidity. Preferably keep them in a lined breadbasket for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 315 kcal | Carbohydrates: 49 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 10 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 439 mg

    Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: Italian
    Have you tried this recipe?Snap a photo and tag @jess.cookingmydreams or use the hashtag #cookingmydreams!
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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm an Italian who moved to the Netherlands with a true passion for food, travel, and everything handmade. I love to experiment, learn new skills, and share my knowledge about everything I do!

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