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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt evenly to prepare the base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Form Dough: Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheet: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Deflate Dough: Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.
- Divide Dough: Cut the dough in half for easier handling.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll one half into a 12×8 inch rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
- Add Cheese Layer: Evenly sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the dough rectangle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll Dough Log: Starting at one long edge, tightly roll the dough into a log shape, trapping the cheese inside.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Brush with Garlic Butter: Remove from oven and immediately brush the hot cheese sticks with the prepared garlic butter mixture for rich flavor.
- 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
