Elevate a Basic Budget Pizza Dough into Delicious Hot Crazy Breadsticks Lathered in Garlic and Red Pepper Butter The Whole Family Will Love!
Hi! If you’ve been following me for long you’ll already know this, but for those who are new, welcome to Far From The Farm. I’m Mona, the Brit behind the recipes, learning life and food in the States while sharing our debt-free journey and what’s on the menu in our home today!
So one of the ways that we’ve been saving money on baby step 2 of our debt-free journey as a military family is to have a couple of meat-free meals each week. And one of my husband’s favorite budget-friendly meat-free dishes is Crazy Bread!
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Now, takeout crazy bread or breadsticks soon add up and aren’t realistic for us with our current financial priorities.
So we’ve spent a bit of time coming up with the most delicious version we can that rivals our favorite Little Caesars Crazy Bread or even Olive Garden breadsticks. I have to say, this is right up there if I do say so myself!
My husband also loves a bit of spice with his Italian food, so there’s a generous helping of red pepper flakes in this recipe. Of course, you can tone it down or dial it up depending on your family’s taste. That’s the beauty of making it from scratch, you’re in control!
The best part? You can have this ready from start to finish in under 2 hours, and your KitchenAid mixer does all the kneading. It’s made with simple, pantry ingredients and zero preservatives. Soft, buttery, garlicky, and that perfect kick of heat that makes it so addictive.
As always, these photos are from my real kitchen here in our sweet military base home. No staged lighting or spotless marble counters. Just real life and real food made in a small space. Proof that you can feed your family well without needing a dream kitchen or fancy tools!
So roll up your sleeves and come into my kitchen, today we’re taking that basic pizza dough and turning it into the most fantastic spicy garlic-parmesan crazy bread you’ll ever try!
Equipment
- KitchenAid Mixer with bowl and dough hook
- Measuring jug
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Parchment paper
- Bowl
- Silicone pastry brush
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Ingredients (1 large batch of Spicy Garlic-Parmesan Crazy Bread)
Pizza Dough:
(Makes 1 Large Pizza Base)
- 1 & ¼ cups warm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 & ½ tsp instant yeast (I use bread machine yeast since that’s what I always have on hand)
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra for drizzling
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
Spicy Garlic-Parmesan Butter:
- 1 (8 oz) tub of Butter with Canola Oil (we love Land O Lakes)
- 4 tbsp garlic salt (or 2 tbsp garlic powder + 1 tbsp salt)
- 2 tbsp dried parsley flakes
- 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Proof the yeast.
Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast into the bowl of your stand mixer. Give it a quick stir, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
When the mixture looks bubbly and frothy, your yeast is alive and ready to go.
If it doesn’t foam up, don’t go any further because the yeast isn’t active, and your dough won’t rise. Discard it and start again with fresh yeast.
Step 2. Mix the dough.
Once you confirm your yeast is active, add in the oil, flour, and salt.
Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes until a smooth dough forms and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
Step 3. First rise.
Form the dough into a ball, drizzle with a tiny bit of oil, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about 1 hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size.
Step 4. Shape and Second Quick Rise.
After the first rise, punch the dough down gently and roll it into a large rectangle about 9 x 13 inches and around ¼ inch thick on top of the parchment paper you’ll bake it with.
Cut it in half lengthwise, then slice across to make those little breadstick-style fingers, like the ones from Little Caesars.
Let them rest under a damp towel or plastic wrap for 10 to 15 minutes, this helps them stay fluffy and soft instead of dense.
Step 5. Mix the spicy garlic butter.
While the dough rests, combine the butter, garlic salt, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan in a bowl. I usually scoop it right back into the butter tub for easy storing.
Step 6. Bake.
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake the breadsticks on the parchment paper on a flat cookie sheet or baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on how golden you like them.
Our family prefers them baked for 12 minutes for that soft, just-done texture.
Step 7. Brush and serve.
As soon as they come out of the oven, brush generously with the spicy garlic-parmesan butter. Use as much or as little as you like.
That melted garlic-butter smell will fill your whole kitchen it’s utterly delicious!
Notes and Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to taste. Halve the amount for mild, double for bold etc.
- For extra cheesy flavor, sprinkle more parmesan before baking.
Troubleshooting:
- Dough too sticky? Add flour a tablespoon at a time until smooth.
- Dough too dry? Add a teaspoon of water at a time until it softens.
- Butter too salty? Use garlic powder and unsalted butter instead of garlic salt.
Storage
- Basic Pizza Dough: Store any unused dough in a lightly oiled zip-top bag. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Spicy Garlic-Parmesan Butter: Store in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. It spreads beautifully straight from the fridge.
- Leftover Crazy Bread: Cool completely before storing. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 4. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Serving Ideas
- Serve with marinara sauce, ranch, or a side of warm garlic butter for dipping.
- These also make an amazing side for soup night or a cozy meat-free dinner with salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- Healthier than takeout crazy bread or breadsticks.
- Budget-friendly and family-approved
- Ready in under 2 hours
- Customizable heat level
- Perfect for family pizza nights or easy side dishes
FAQ
Can I make this without a stand mixer?
Yes! You can knead by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Wrap the dough tightly and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight before shaping and baking.
Can I skip the red pepper flakes?
Yes, it’s optional. You can replace it with Italian seasoning or keep it mild for kids.
Spicy Garlic-Parmesan Crazy Bread Recipe!
November 6, 2025Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the warm water, sugar, and yeast into the bowl of your stand mixer. Give it a quick stir, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. When the mixture looks bubbly and frothy, your yeast is alive and ready to go. If it doesn’t foam up, don’t go any further because the yeast isn’t active, and your dough won’t rise. Discard it and start again with fresh yeast.
- Once you confirm your yeast is active, add in the oil, flour, and salt.Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes until a smooth dough forms and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
- Form the dough into a ball, drizzle with a tiny bit of oil, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let it rise for about 1 hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size.
- After the first rise, punch the dough down gently and roll it into a large rectangle about 9 x 13 inches and around ¼ inch thick on top of the parchment paper you'll bake it with.Cut it in half lengthwise, then slice across to make those little breadstick-style fingers, like the ones from Little Caesars.Let them rest under a damp towel or plastic wrap for 10 to 15 minutes, this helps them stay fluffy and soft instead of dense.
- While the dough rests, combine the butter, garlic salt, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan in a bowl. I usually scoop it right back into the butter tub once it's mixed, for easy storing.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake the breadsticks on a the parchment paper on a cookie sheet or baking tray for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on how golden you like them.Our family prefers them baked for 12 minutes for that soft, just-done texture.
- As soon as they come out of the oven, brush generously with the spicy garlic-parmesan butter. Use as much or as little as you like. Serve whilst still warm!
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to taste. Halve the amount for mild, double for bold etc.
- For extra cheesy flavor, sprinkle more parmesan before baking.
Storage
- Basic Pizza Dough: Store any unused dough in a lightly oiled zip-top bag. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Spicy Garlic-Parmesan Butter: Store in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. It spreads beautifully straight from the fridge.
- Leftover Crazy Bread: Cool completely before storing. Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for 4. Reheat in the oven for best texture.
Basic Stand Mixer Pizza Dough Recipe
Check out my basic pizza dough recipe – works every time!Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Takeaway
Homemade doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.
This spicy garlic-parmesan crazy bread proves that a few simple ingredients can turn into something restaurant-worthy.
It’s easy, cozy, and made from the same basic pizza dough that’s already saving us money every week!
Budget Recipes to Try Next!
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Last update on 2026-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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