Homemade Cheese Sticks Inspired by Pizza Hut Recipe
These Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks are a delicious homemade copycat recipe featuring soft, buttery dough topped with gooey melted mozzarella and parmesan, seasoned with garlic and oregano, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for serving as an appetizer or side dish with your favorite meals, these cheese sticks come with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 31 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons warm water (110°F), divided
- 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
- 1 ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
For Assembly:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted, divided
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, add the active dry yeast. Warm half of the water (about ½ cup) to 110°F and pour it into the yeast bowl. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy, indicating it is activated.
- Prepare the butter mixture: In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Pour the remaining warm water (2 tablespoons) into this butter mixture and let it sit while the yeast is activating.
- Combine wet ingredients: After 5 minutes, whisk the butter mixture until combined; the butter may not fully melt, which is normal. Add the beaten egg yolk and the foamy yeast mixture to the bowl, whisking to blend all wet ingredients evenly.
- Make the dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined to form a soft dough.
- Prepare baking dish: Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and brush 2 tablespoons of the melted unsalted butter evenly over the bottom.
- Spread the dough: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the dough to rise slightly.
- Preheat oven and prepare dough for baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish. Brush the remaining melted butter evenly over the surface of the dough.
- Add cheese and seasonings: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top of the buttered dough, followed by the grated parmesan cheese. Then evenly sprinkle garlic salt and dried oregano over the cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 28-31 minutes until the edges of the dough are dark golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and browned on top.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the cheese sticks cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then remove the cheese sticks from the pan and cut into 8 even slices. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For best results, ensure water temperature is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Use fresh yeast and butter for optimal flavor and texture.
- Allow the dough to rest covered to promote proper rising before baking.
- Adjust baking time slightly if you want softer or more crispy edges.
- Serve immediately after cutting to enjoy the gooey melted cheese.
- Marinara sauce can be warmed for a better dipping experience.
