Mediterranean Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks with Yogurt Herb Dip

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Introduction

Hi friends, Linda here. I’ve been making bread in my kitchen for more than ten years, and garlic breadsticks are still what my family asks for most. A few summers ago I wanted to give my usual recipe a Mediterranean twist, so I added feta, oregano and a bright Greek yogurt dip. It was gone in about ten minutes.

This easy homemade breadsticks recipe gives you a soft, chewy inside, crisp golden edges and a cheesy garlic topping that makes the kitchen smell like a bakery. The yogurt herb dip is fresh and tangy and cuts through all that cheese. You can serve these as a healthy appetizer, a game day snack, or next to soup or salad on a busy weeknight.

If you love cheesy bread as much as I do, also try my classic Cheese Bread Sticks. They make a great comfort food option on their own.

Essential Ingredients

For the breadsticks:

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

For the garlic cheese topping:

• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the yogurt herb dip:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat works best)
• 1 small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Alternative Ingredients

• Flour: Bread flour gives a chewier stick. You can also use half whole wheat flour for more fiber.
• Shortcut dough: A pound of store-bought pizza dough works fine when you’re short on time.
• Cheese: Halloumi or kasseri can replace feta. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based mozzarella and skip the feta.
• Yogurt: Labneh makes the dip thicker. Skyr is a good high-protein option.
• Herbs: Out of fresh dill? Use 1 tsp dried dill. Basil or chives also work well.
• Butter: Swap it for more olive oil to make it lighter and more in line with the Mediterranean diet.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Activate the yeast. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, sugar and yeast. Wait 5 minutes until it looks foamy. If nothing happens, your yeast may be expired or the water was too hot.

2. Make the dough. Add the flour, salt and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 6 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth and stretchy.

3. Let it rise. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a towel and let it rise somewhere warm for 45 minutes, until it roughly doubles.

4. Prepare the dip. While the dough rises, grate the cucumber and squeeze out as much water as you can with a clean towel. Mix it with the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, mint, olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover and chill. The flavor gets better as it sits.

5. Shape the breadsticks. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Press the dough into a rectangle about 9×13 inches (23×33 cm) on the sheet.

6. Add the garlic butter. Mix the melted butter, olive oil and minced garlic. Brush it all over the dough, right to the edges.

7. Top with cheese. Sprinkle on the mozzarella first, then the feta, Parmesan, oregano and red pepper flakes.

8. Bake. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and the edges are deep golden brown.

9. Slice and serve. Let it rest for 3 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley and cut into strips with a pizza cutter. Serve warm with the chilled yogurt dip.

Pro Tips

• Squeeze that cucumber. This is the mistake I made for years. Without squeezing, my dip turned watery after an hour. Now I squeeze it twice.
• Don’t burn the garlic. Raw minced garlic on top can scorch at high heat. If your oven runs hot, mix the garlic into the butter and warm it gently for one minute first.
• Use a hot pan. A preheated baking steel or pizza stone gives you a crispier bottom.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded mozzarella has anti-caking agents that keep it from melting smoothly.
• Use good olive oil. Quality extra virgin olive oil really shows in a simple recipe like this one. For more on picking oils and flour, the guides at Serious Eats are some of the best around.

Recipe Info

Detail	Info
Prep Time	20 minutes
Rise Time	45 minutes
Cook Time	18 minutes
Total Time	1 hour 23 minutes
Servings	6 people
Yield	About 16 breadsticks + 1¼ cups dip
Difficulty	Easy
Cuisine	Mediterranean

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These breadsticks are cheesy, garlicky and soft, and the dip keeps them from feeling too heavy. They use cheap pantry staples, so they’re a great budget-friendly party food. Kids love the cheese, adults love the feta and herbs, and everyone dips more than they should. It’s also very forgiving for beginners. My first batch years ago came out a little flat because my kitchen was cold, and they still got eaten.

What Makes This Recipe Unique

Most garlic breadsticks stop at mozzarella and butter. This version adds salty feta, oregano and a Greek-style tzatziki inspired dip with fresh mint and dill. That gives you rich and fresh flavors in every bite. It’s like a cross between Italian cheesy bread and a Greek mezze platter.

Key Features

• Soft, chewy homemade dough with no special equipment
• Three-cheese topping: mozzarella, feta and Parmesan
• High-protein Greek yogurt dip
• Make-ahead and freezer friendly
• Easy to adapt for vegetarian or lighter diets
• Good for parties, potlucks and family dinners

Nutrition Facts (per serving, about 2 to 3 breadsticks with dip)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	410 kcal
Protein	16 g
Carbohydrates	46 g
Fat	18 g
Saturated Fat	8 g
Fiber	2 g
Sodium	690 mg
Sugar	3 g

Nutrition values are estimates and will vary with the brands and portions you use.

You’ll Also Love

If this recipe made you hungry for more, here are a few favorites from my kitchen:

• Creamy Garlic Herb Butter Spread to brush on any bread you bake
• Mediterranean Chickpea Bowl for a fresh, filling meal to go with your breadsticks
• Cheese Bread Sticks for a classic version without the Mediterranean twist

For more Greek-inspired dip ideas, I often browse the recipe collections at BBC Good Food, and Allrecipes has lots of reviews from home cooks if you want to see how other people change their breadsticks.

Conclusion

That’s my Mediterranean cheesy garlic breadsticks with yogurt herb dip. It’s a simple recipe, and after ten years of baking, simple is often what I come back to most. Golden cheesy bread, a cool herby dip and good company make any evening better.

Your results may vary a little depending on your oven, flour and how warm your kitchen is, and that’s okay. Bake them a couple of times and you’ll find what works for you. If you try this recipe, leave a comment and tell me how it went. I read every one.

Happy baking,
Linda 🐝