Adding Italian Flavors to Bread

• The easiest way to make Italian bread sticks is to add seasoning to bread that has already been baked. Brush olive oil onto slices of regular bread or artisan bread and sprinkle with salt and spices or use an Italian seasoning mix. Toast the bread under the broiler for a few minutes until it is golden brown. While the bread is still hot, slice the toast into sticks and serve with your meal.
  
  

Using Pre-Mixed Dough

• For another easy approach, start with frozen or refrigerated bread dough. Separate the dough into palm-sized balls. Roll each ball into a strand about 1/2 inch in diameter and twist two strands together to make each bread stick. Place the bread sticks on a baking sheet, and top with olive oil and Italian flavors.
  
  If the pre-mixed dough is specifically for bread sticks, bake as directed on the package. If it is for a loaf of bread, a good starting point is to bake the dough at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on the bread sticks because each oven is different and baking time will vary according to how thick the dough is.
  
  

Dough From Scratch

• Making bread sticks from scratch may produce the most flavorful bread stick. Just keep in mind that the Italian flavors are the important ingredients. Mix your favorite bread dough according to the recipe, then finish it in one of two ways.
  
  The first way is to press the dough into a jelly roll pan, top with olive oil and Italian seasoning, then bake. After the bread is baked, cut it into strips and serve. You may have to bake the dough for slightly less time than a loaf. Keep an eye on your dough while it is in the oven.
  
  The second way is to mix up the dough, then make individual sticks: Cut the dough into palm-sized balls and roll the balls into half-inch-diameter strands. Twist two strands together to make individual sticks, place on a baking sheet and top with Italian seasoning. Bake until golden brown. Again, keep an eye on them while they are in the oven because oven temperatures vary and the time may be less if you are baking small sticks instead of a larger loaf.