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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer » Pizza Sticks

    Pizza Sticks

    Published: May 9, 2023 · Modified: Sep 6, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    This crispy, flavorful Pizza Sticks recipe is an Applebee’s copycat! They are topped with pepperoni, cheese, garlic butter, and herbs.

    Pizza Sticks piled up on a wooden serving board.

    After-school snacks were always a big deal when I was a kid, and my mom was really good about making us something delicious. So, with that in mind, I made these pizza sticks for my kids one day, and they loved them! They can also be served as an appetizer or side dish.

    What You’ll Find In This Post

    • What Are Applebee’s Pizza Sticks
    • Pizza Breadsticks Ingredients
    • How To Make Pizza Sticks
    • Make Ahead and Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Additional Bread Appetizers

    What Are Applebee’s Pizza Sticks

    Applebee’s used to have a pizza sticks appetizer, and when I was dating my husband, we loved ordering them. Unfortunately, it is no longer on their menu, so we usually order mozzarella sticks, but I came up with a simple copycat recipe for the pizza cheese sticks so we can enjoy them at home!

    We found an old menu online, and the description says: “Thin crispy strips of pizza dough topped with herbs and melted Italian cheese. Served with marinara sauce.” Back in 1994, they only cost $2.99! If you wanted to add Italian sausage and pepperoni, it was an extra dollar.

    Ingredients on a white marble counter.

    Pizza Breadsticks Ingredients

    • Dough: We love using homemade pizza dough to make pizza sticks. You can also use store-bought frozen bread dough or refrigerated pizza dough.
    • Butter: The butter adds flavor and makes the pizza cheese sticks crispy.
    • Garlic: We used garlic powder to season the butter. You can use minced garlic if you prefer.
    • Pepperoni: Slices of pepperoni add a spicy flavor to the sticks! Cooked, crumbled Italian sausage works too.
    • Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese turns golden brown on the top of the sticks. Other Italian cheeses such as parmesan, provolone, or asiago would be delicious as well.
    • Seasoning: Italian seasoning is the perfect blend of dried herbs for these pizza sticks!
    • Sauce: You can serve them with pizza sauce, marinara, or spaghetti sauce.
    Baked pizza sticks in a pan.

    How To Make Pizza Sticks

    Pizza dough rolled out into a baking pan.

    Roll the dough out and spread it in a well-greased rimmed jelly roll pan.

    A hand is shown using a dough knife to cut the dough into strips.

    Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then cut each half into eight sticks for a total of sixteen sticks.

    Butter and garlic powder in a small glass measuring cup.

    Put the melted butter and garlic butter into a small bowl. Stir until combined.

    Garlic butter was added to the pizza sticks dough prior to baking.

    Brush half of the garlic butter over the breadsticks. Save the remaining garlic butter for later.

    Top the dough with pepperoni slices.

    Top each dough stick with three slices of pepperoni. You can also add other toppings at this point.

    Mozzarella cheese was added before baking.

    Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sticks.

    A pan full of baked pizza sticks.

    Bake the pizza sticks until they are golden brown. Cut the sticks again after removing them from the oven. Brush them with the remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

    Pizza sticks lined up in a row on a pan.

    Make Ahead and Storage

    • Make Ahead: If you want to make these pizza cheese sticks ahead of time, you can prepare the pizza dough and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, remove it from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature so that it will easily stretch.
    • Refrigerator: Allow leftovers to cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
    • Freezer: Store pizza breadsticks in a freezer-safe container for 1-2 months.
    • Reheating: Pizza sticks can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make pizza sticks with refrigerated dough?

    Yes, you can use store-bought refrigerated dough to make this recipe but keep in mind that your pizza sticks may not turn out like the ones shown in this recipe.

    What other toppings can I add to pizza breadsticks?

    You can add your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, Italian sausage, black olives, green peppers, mushrooms, or onions.

    How are pizza sticks different from pizza?

    They have the same ingredients, but they are assembled, cooked, and eaten in a different manner.

    A pizza stick is dipped into a jar of pizza sauce.

    Additional Bread Appetizers

    • This easy Garlic Bread recipe is a family favorite! Top with mozzarella for garlic cheese bread and serve with marinara sauce.
    • Homemade breadsticks topped with garlic butter are irresistible! They are delicious with pasta and pizza.
    • Crispy, buttery Texas toast can be enjoyed as an appetizer or served alongside your favorite pasta dishes.
    • These easy pizza rolls are stuffed with spicy pepperoni, melted cheese, and pizza sauce.
    A pile of pizza sticks on a cutting board.

    Copycat Applebee’s Pizza Sticks

    This crispy, flavorful Pizza Sticks recipe is an Applebee's copycat! They are topped with pepperoni, cheese, garlic butter, and herbs.
    5 from 1 vote
    ↑ Click stars to rate!
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    Sheet Pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 pizza dough
    • ½ cup butter melted
    • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 48 slices pepperoni
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
    • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 cup pizza sauce for dipping

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Spread the dough out into a well-greased jelly roll pan and cut it into 16 sticks.
    • Mix together the melted butter and garlic powder. Brush half of the mixture over the dough sticks.
    • Top with pepperoni slices and shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
    • Brush with the remaining garlic butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
    • Cut the pizza sticks again, if needed, and serve with pizza sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: Allow leftovers to cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
    • Freezer: Store them in a freezer-safe container for 1-2 months.
    • Reheating: Pizza sticks can be reheated in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2sticks | Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 868mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 590IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • sliced veggie pizza
      Puff Pastry Veggie Pizza
    • A wooden spoonful of corn salad with Doritos.
      Corn Salad
    • Watermelon salsa in a watermelon bowl.
      Watermelon Salsa Recipe
    • Spicy honey mustard drizzled from a wooden spoon.
      Spicy Honey Mustard

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

    « Pizza Dipping Sauce
    Dill Pickle Pizza »

    Comments

    1. Darlene Klinger says

      March 11, 2013 at 4:25 pm

      I recently visited an Applebees in Nc. and I got their pretzel sticks wit cheese sauce for an appetizer and loved them. Do you have the receipe for those?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        March 11, 2013 at 4:45 pm

        Hi Darlene, I didn’t know Applebees made pretzel sticks. I will have to try them the next time I go there! The closest recipe I have is for Auntie Anne’s soft pretzel nuggets http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/08/auntie-annes-inspired-soft-pretzel.html

        Reply
    2. Rhonda says

      August 24, 2011 at 2:58 pm

      big and little eaters will like these!

      Reply
    3. Katie @ This Chick Cooks says

      August 22, 2011 at 5:43 pm

      These look wonderful! My little guy would love these as a snack.

      Reply
    4. www.StarHughes.com says

      August 22, 2011 at 5:04 am

      YUM!!!! This might be my favorite post yet 🙂 Looks soooo good!

      Reply
    5. Ali says

      August 21, 2011 at 1:20 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing this at Recipe Sharing Monday. The new party is now up and I’d love for you to link up again 🙂

      Reply
    6. Amy says

      August 21, 2011 at 12:23 am

      These are absolutely perfect after school snacks! yum….can’t wait to make some of my own soon.My blog turns 1 today and I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog as a way to say thank you for your supports in the past year. Please come over to check it out if you’re interested. http://utry.it

      Reply
    7. Elizabeth says

      August 18, 2011 at 11:03 am

      These are a “must try” for our family! As far as making something that was removed from the menu I don’t think I have but I do love to make restaurant food recipes. Especially the sausage soup from Olive Garden – yum!!

      Reply
    8. OnePerfectDay says

      August 17, 2011 at 9:51 pm

      They look great!!Definately on the list!

      Reply
    9. The Shy Bee says

      August 17, 2011 at 2:46 pm

      Those look yummy! I will definitely give them a try! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    10. sherri lynn says

      August 17, 2011 at 2:09 pm

      This looks like a perfect snack for us! My husband is hungry ALL the time and he likes to have something a little more substantial than just fruit- I’ll have to make these!

      Reply
    11. Vicki says

      August 17, 2011 at 10:43 am

      My kids will love these as an afternoon snack! Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    12. Veronica says

      August 17, 2011 at 5:35 am

      well these do indeed look pretty tasty and very colourful. love pepperoni. ps: thanks for your lovely comment and i am sorry i cannot help out at this time with delivery to the states 🙂 have a lovely day!

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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