When my daughter hits a “won’t eat phase,” I get creative with dinner by serving dips. Somehow, dips magically bypass her refusal to eat anything I cook. Recently, I served them with these healthy Italian breadsticks (wholemeal grissini) and they were a huge hit!

We love making homemade hummus and tzatziki together, and I usually add a third dip using leftover cooked veggies blended with garlic and olive oil. Think roast butternut squash, beetroot, or wilted spinach. Normally, we pair these with veggie sticks, wholemeal pita, or homemade crackers. But inspired by the bread-baking craze during COVID-19, I decided to try my hand at grissini. I’m so glad I did!

Why Make Your Own Healthy Italian Breadsticks?

Store-bought breadsticks can be full of preservatives and refined flour. Making your own means you control the ingredients. Using wholemeal flour boosts the nutritional value with B vitamins, dietary fibre, and a lower GI compared to white flour. I’ve even made these with wholemeal spelt flour, which is great for those sensitive to gluten and is packed with protein, iron, copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, and folic acid.

This simple recipe is so easy, even little hands can help, especially with the fun “snake” rolling step. Honestly, these breadsticks turned out easier than I expected and have become a regular in our home. They’re even lunchbox-approved! Because there is just the two of us, I usually cover and refrigerate the other half of the dough for making fresh grissini or a pizza base a few days later.

What Are Grissini?

Grissini are classic Italian breadsticks—crunchy, slender, and perfect for dipping.

Ingredients for Wholemeal Grissini

1.5 tsp active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
Optional: 3 tbsp of your favourite flavour additions (finely chopped rosemary, parmesan, sesame seeds, etc.)
2 tbsp good quality olive oil

Step-by-Step Method

Activate the Yeast:
Add yeast to warm water (~45°C) in a bowl and set aside to foam for about 10 minutes.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and any flavour additions.
Form the Dough:
Mix in the yeast mixture and olive oil until a soft dough forms.
Knead:
Knead the dough in the bowl until smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes).
First Rise:
Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for 1 hour.
Shape the Breadsticks:
Preheat oven to 175°C. Split the dough in half. Roll out one half to about 0.5cm thick and cut into 2cm wide strips (my daughter loves using a pizza cutter for this!). Fold each strip in half and roll into long “snakes.” Repeat with the other half.
Prepare for Baking:
Place the breadsticks on a parchment-lined baking tray. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Bake:
Bake at 175°C for 8–12 minutes, (depending on how thin your snakes are and what type of flour you used)..
Cool and Serve:
Allow to cool before serving.

Tips for Perfect Homemade Breadsticks

For extra crunch, bake a few minutes longer.
Try different flavourings—herbs, seeds, or cheese.
Wholemeal spelt flour works beautifully for a nutty flavour and extra nutrition.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Serve your healthy Italian breadsticks with homemade dips like hummus, tzatziki, or blended roasted veggies. They’re also perfect for lunchboxes or as a crunchy snack with soup or salad.

FAQs About Healthy Breadsticks

Can I freeze these breadsticks?
Yes! Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I use all-purpose flour?
You can, but wholemeal flour adds more fibre and nutrition.

Are these breadsticks vegan?
Yes, as long as you skip cheese or use vegan alternatives.

Try This Healthy Breadsticks Recipe!

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out! Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram. For more healthy snack ideas, check out our other recipes.