How to Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks (Step by Step Guide)

Do you know what’s irresistible? Olive’s Garden breadsticks, full of creamy butter and garlic! And they’re the perfect option for Italian cuisines, salads, and soups.

Whenever we dine at Olive Garden, we make it a point to request a never-ending supply of those addictive breadsticks. And if you’re lucky enough to have a fantastic wait staff, they might even decide to pack some up for you to take home!

How amazing is that – packing up all that delicious goodness and enjoying it later? But they just don’t taste the same once they’re not fresh.

If you’ve landed here, it’s likely because you’re looking for how to reheat Olive Garden breadsticks perfectly without losing their deliciousness.

So, how can you reheat Olive Garden breadsticks? Well, according to Olive Garden’s packaging, you should bake them in the original bag for approximately 5 minutes. Another option is to use foil for baking, or you can also try cooking them in a pan, toaster oven, or microwave.

We’ll discuss the best way to heat those excellent Olive Garden breadsticks. We’ll also share some easy methods for alternative reheating options. You have more than one way to return those breadsticks to their tasty glory! Let’s dive in!

What Are Olive Garden Breadsticks?

Before we get into the details of Olive Garden’s Breadsticks, you should have a little knowledge of Olive Garden and how the purveyor of this tasty snack became such a big hit.

The mainstay at Olive Garden is pasta dishes and the very famous breadsticks. Ask anyone familiar with Olive Garden, and they’ll probably mention their iconic breadsticks immediately.

In a report from 2014, it was revealed that Olive Garden produces an astounding 675 to 700 million breadsticks each year. That’s a staggering number!

Despite churning countless breadsticks daily, Olive Garden never cuts corners on quality. It’s the softness of their bread and that garlic salt flavor that has people falling head over heels for them!

How To Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks

When you swing by Olive Garden and take some breadsticks home, you’ll find handy printed reheating instructions on the packaging.

The oven method isn’t just the restaurant’s recommended process; it’s also a fantastic way to revive those breadsticks and bring out their incredible taste. It’s like giving them a fresh, delicious makeover!

Below are the official guidelines:

  • Get your oven heated up to 350 ̊F.
  • Leave the breadsticks inside their packaging or enclose them with foil.
  • Once your oven has reached the desired temperature, keep the breadsticks inside there.
  • Let them hang out for around 5 minutes to warm up.

Give those breadsticks a little inspection to gauge their warmth and softness before taking them out of the oven, and if they still need some warming up, stick them back in the oven for an extra 2 to 3 minutes. When they’re all set, pour some melted butter on them and prepare to dig in!

How to Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks Without Overcooking?

If you don’t want to overcook your breadsticks, lay a paper towel over them while they remain inside the oven. This way, the paper towel will soak up any excess moisture and maintain its warmth.

Also Read: Can You Freeze Egg Salad? (EverythingTo Know) and Can You Freeze Papa Murphy’s Pizza? (How It Is Done)

How To Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks in the Microwave

Olive Garden emphasizes that the oven is the optimal method for reheating their breadsticks, but if you don’t have one, you can go with the microwave.

Don’t put the breadsticks in the foil bag for microwaving – it’s a recipe for disaster.

Remember, microwaving the breadsticks won’t leave them as crispy as the oven-warned ones, and if you nuke them for too long, they might end up all moist and pulpy.

Steps:

  • Before microwaving, take the breadsticks out of the Olive Garden bag, as it has a foil lining that poses a safety risk.
  • Keep the breadsticks on a plate that’s microwave friendly and cover them with a damp kitchen towel. If you don’t have that, a paper towel will suffice.
  • Set the microwave to medium or 50% and nuke the breadsticks for 30-45 seconds.
  • Check if they’re warm enough to your liking. If not, reheat them for another 10 seconds at a time.
  • Once they’re nice and warm, take them out, give them a little cool-down time, and serve.
  • Don’t leave the microwaved breadsticks hanging around too long, or they’ll turn to rock hard! Enjoy!

How To Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks using the Air Fryer

The beauty of using an air fryer is that it is straightforward and even lets you warm up frozen breadsticks effortlessly to store them for later enjoyment.

Forget about thawing the frozen breadsticks; toss them into the air fryer, and within a few minutes, you’ll have perfectly heated breadsticks ready to enjoy.

How to reheat Olive Garden breadsticks with an air fryer:

  • Arrange the frozen breadsticks on the air fryer tray, leaving out any oil or extras. Ensure they are spread out in a single layer to warm up evenly.
  • Set the air fryer to 340 ̊F/170 ̊C and let the breadsticks warm up for about 5 minutes. After that, check if they’ve turned golden; if not, give them another 1 to 5 minutes until they’re good to go.
  • You can now enjoy your warm breadsticks. That’s it!

Remember that the air frying duration relies on the number of breadsticks placed on the tray and whether you’re heating them at once or in batches. The good news is the second batch typically requires less time for heating as the air fryer remains preheated.

Can Olive Garden Breadsticks Be Frozen?

Absolutely! It’s possible to freeze Olive Garden breadsticks, and you have two options if you want to do it correctly, so let’s explore them.

Method 1

The first method is to let them cool down. Then, tightly wrap them in foil and place them inside a sealed bag, preferably a Ziploc plastic bag, before storing them in the freezer. This method allows you to preserve the breadsticks for up to three months.

When you’re ready to enjoy them, give them time to defrost at room temperature. And then, if you want to reheat, set your oven to 350° F and bake them for five minutes.

Method 2 

The second method is for the home bakers who want to nail those Olive Garden breadsticks! You start by freezing the dough, which you’ve cut into small balls. Place the dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to freezer bags.

Store the bags in the freezer, and they’ll be good to go for up to 3 months.

Anytime you’re in the mood for some delicious breadsticks, take out the frozen dough balls and leave them to defrost in a warm place. When that is done, shape them into breadsticks and bake. And there you have it – your very own homemade version of Olive Garden breadsticks!

Frequently Asked Questions-How to Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Should You Refrigerate Olive Garden Breadsticks?

Usually, bread isn’t ideal for refrigeration as it tends to dry out. But garlic bread gets a pass. Since it is slathered in butter, you can leave it in the fridge for up to 3 days, and it won’t dry out.

The butter helps to keep the bread moist and enjoyable even after being refrigerated.

How Do You Make Breadsticks Fresh Again?

If you want your breadsticks fresh again, cover it with a foil. If the crust has gone rock hard, sprinkle water on the outside before sealing the foil. Put the wrapped bread in a preheated 300-degree Fahrenheit oven for 5-15 minutes or until it feels soft again.

How Do You Reheat Bread Without It Getting Hard?

One effective method of reheating bread without it getting hard involves preparing a container with a double layer of paper towels. Wrap it with a damp towel, just as we did in the oven, and, applying low heat, let the bread warm for about ten seconds.

After that, flip it over to ensure it’s all warmed up and ready to eat!

Can You Microwave Olive Garden To Go?

You can microwave or wash Olive Garden’s to-go containers without any worries! They’re microwave and dishwasher-safe!

Are Olive Garden Breadsticks Fresh or Frozen?

Olive Garden’s breadsticks are always fresh and never frozen.

Warm breadsticks are a guarantee at Olive Garden because they have a big bread maker that makes the dough perfectly and keeps the breadsticks warm until you want them.

You might be surprised to find out that they whip up a fresh batch of breadsticks every 15 minutes so that you can enjoy them nice and hot!

What Do Olive Garden Breadsticks Taste Like?

People love Olive Garden’s breadsticks because they are the stuff of cravings. The breadsticks are tender, light, creamy, and packed with a delicious garlic flavor. Most people like to dunk them into bowls of Pasta e Fagioli. Try it and see!

How Do You Store Leftover Breadsticks?

For homemade breadsticks, follow these steps to extend their shelf life: allow them to cool completely before storage. Then you have a few options; you can place them in a plastic storage bag, use a breadbox, or wrap them in foil.

By doing this, your breadsticks can stay fresh for 4 to 5 days under normal room conditions.

Also Checkout: Can You Freeze Factor Meals? (Everything to Know) and Can You Freeze Pulled Pork? (Everything to Know)

Conclusion-How to Reheat Olive Garden Breadsticks

We hope these suggestions for reheating Olive Garden breadsticks will allow you to enjoy these wonderful treats at home as if you are dining at a restaurant.

And don’t forget to explore the freezing methods and homemade recipes too! With these tricks, you can satisfy your cravings for these buttery delights anytime!