Cheesy Pizza Hut-Style Cheese Sticks with Garlic Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

Introduction

These Pizza Hut-style cheese sticks are a cheesy, buttery treat perfect for snacking or serving as an appetizer. Soft, golden dough wrapped around a blend of melty cheeses makes them irresistible and fun to share.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup warm water (105-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded provolone cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for cheese mixture)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for butter sauce)
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
• Pinch of salt
• Marinara sauce, for dipping

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Step 3: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Step 4: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding flour or water as needed.
5. Step 5: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil, place the dough inside, and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Toss well.
7. Step 7: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air and turn it onto a floured surface. Divide into two equal parts.
9. Step 9: Roll out one half into a 12×8 inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle half the cheese mixture evenly, leaving a small border.
10. Step 10: Starting from a long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log.
11. Step 11: Cut the log into 1-inch thick slices using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
12. Step 12: Repeat with the second half of the dough and remaining cheese mixture.
13. Step 13: Place the slices cut-side down on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
14. Step 14: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt.
15. Step 15: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the top of each cheese stick.
16. Step 16: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
17. Step 17: Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough for clean, even cheese sticks.
• Try adding red pepper flakes to the cheese mix for a spicy kick.
• Brush with extra garlic butter after baking for a stronger garlic flavor.
• Substitute provolone with fontina or cheddar for different cheese profiles.

Storage

Store cooled cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through and crisp. They can also be frozen before baking; thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before rolling out and assembling.

What can I use if I don’t have Italian seasoning?

A mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme works well as a substitute for Italian seasoning in the cheese mixture.

Cheesy Pizza Hut-Style Cheese Sticks with Garlic Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 63 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 cheese sticks 1x

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Description

These Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks are a deliciously cheesy snack, made with a homemade yeast dough loaded with a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses, seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic. Baked until golden and served with marinara sauce for dipping, they replicate the classic taste perfectly in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm water (105-115°F)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing

Cheese Filling

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded provolone cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Garlic Butter Topping

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
• Pinch of salt

To Serve

• Marinara sauce, for dipping

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt evenly to prepare the base for the dough.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil.
4. Form Dough: Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
5. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding small amounts of flour or water as needed to adjust consistency.
6. Let Dough Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil, place the dough inside, turning to coat all sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
7. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, provolone, and grated Parmesan cheeses. Add Italian seasoning and garlic powder, tossing until well mixed.
8. Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheet: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. Deflate Dough: Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.
10. Divide Dough: Cut the dough in half for easier handling.
11. Roll Out Dough: Roll one half into a 12×8 inch rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
12. Add Cheese Layer: Evenly sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
13. Roll Dough Log: Starting at one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape, trapping the cheese inside.
14. Slice Cheese Sticks: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the log into 1-inch thick slices, forming individual cheese sticks ready for baking.
15. Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic, garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt for brushing after baking (to be applied in later steps).
16. Bake Cheese Sticks: Place the cut sticks seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.
17. Brush with Garlic Butter: Remove from oven and immediately brush the hot cheese sticks with the prepared garlic butter mixture for rich flavor.
18. Serve: Let cheese sticks cool slightly before serving with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

• Ensure water temperature is between 105-115°F for optimal yeast activation.
• Kneading the dough properly ensures a chewy, elastic texture in the finished cheese sticks.
• You can prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate it for a slower rise to enhance flavor complexity.
• Adjust seasoning in the garlic butter topping to taste, adding more garlic if desired.
• Serve warm for the best gooey cheese experience.
• For a crispier crust, you can broil the cheese sticks for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Pizza Hut cheese sticks, DIY cheesy sticks, baked cheese sticks, cheesy breadsticks, homemade pizza snacks