These Copycat Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks are thick, golden, and loaded with melty mozzarella and garlicky butter on top of the chewiest homemade dough you've ever pulled apart. The first time I made these, my kitchen smelled exactly like walking into a Pizza Hut on a Friday night, and honestly, that smell alone was worth every minute. The crust has that signature chew, the cheese bubbles and browns just right, and the garlic butter soaks in like a dream. Best part? You only need simple pantry ingredients to pull it off.
If you love cozy, crowd-pleasing recipes like these, you might also enjoy my Fluffy Japanese Soufflé Pancakes, Super Quick Avocado Toast with Hard Boiled Egg, Raspberry Chia Pudding, Belgian Waffle, and Turkey Sausage Recipe for more easy homemade favorites worth bookmarking.
Why You'll Love This Copycat Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks Recipe
There are so many reasons to make this copycat pizza recipe at home instead of ordering out. Here are just a few:
- The dough is thick, chewy, and baked to a perfect golden bottom, just like the real thing.
- Garlic butter soaks into every inch before the cheese even goes on, building layers of flavor.
- It feeds a crowd easily and costs a fraction of the delivery price.
- You can customize the cheese, add herbs, or dial up the garlic to make it your own.
- It reheats beautifully, so leftovers are never a disappointment.
This copycat pizza stick recipe is the kind of thing that becomes a weekly tradition once you make it the first time.
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Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make these copycat pizza hut cheese sticks from scratch.
For the Dough:
- Warm water (½ cup): Activates the yeast and gets the dough going. It should feel warm on your wrist, not hot.
- Instant yeast (1 ⅛ teaspoons): Gives the dough its rise and creates that classic chewy texture.
- Room-temperature water (1 ¼ cups): Balances the dough hydration for a soft, workable consistency.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps the dough bake up tender.
- Bread flour (4 cups / 22 ounces): The backbone of this copycat pizza dough. Bread flour creates a chewier texture than all-purpose.
- Salt (1 ½ teaspoons): Brings all the flavors together and strengthens the dough structure.
- Semolina flour (1 tablespoon): Dusted on the surface to prevent sticking and add a subtle crunch to the bottom.
For the Topping:
- Butter, melted (3 tablespoons): The base of the garlic butter that soaks into the dough before baking.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Adds that signature savory garlic flavor without being overpowering.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons): Adds a nutty, salty bite that layers beautifully under the mozzarella.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): Melts into golden, bubbly, stretchy perfection on top.
To Serve:
- Pizza or marinara sauce for dipping.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Activate the yeast: Whisk together the warm water and yeast in a medium bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes until the mixture turns foamy and fragrant. If nothing happens after 5 minutes, your yeast may be old, so start fresh.
Combine the wet ingredients: Pour the room-temperature water and olive oil into the yeast mixture and stir gently to combine.
Form the dough: Add the bread flour and salt to your food processor or large mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture while mixing or pulsing until a smooth, elastic dough comes together. It should feel slightly tacky but not sticky.
First rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let it rest in a warm spot for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. This is where all that good chew develops.
Prep your oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet. Dust your work surface and rolling pin with semolina flour to keep the dough from sticking.
Shape the dough: Roll the risen dough out into a rectangle roughly the size of your baking sheet. Transfer it carefully to the pan and press it gently into the corners.
Apply the garlic butter: Stir the melted butter and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Brush this mixture evenly all over the surface of the dough. Don't rush this step, it is what gives this copycat pizza recipe its signature flavor.
Add the cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the buttered dough first, then pile on the shredded mozzarella in an even layer, making sure to cover all the way to the edges.
Bake: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly and the edges look set and lightly browned. Your kitchen is going to smell incredible.
Slice and serve: Let the tray rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting into sticks with a knife or pizza cutter. Serve warm with a bowl of marinara or pizza sauce on the side.
Substitutions and Variations
This copycat pizza recipe is very flexible. Here are a few easy swaps:
Add a pinch of Italian seasoning or dried oregano to the garlic butter for an herby upgrade.
Bread flour can be replaced with all-purpose flour if that is what you have. The sticks will be slightly less chewy but still delicious.
Mozzarella can be swapped for provolone, a mozzarella-provolone blend, or even pepper jack for a spicy twist.
Garlic powder can be replaced with one clove of freshly minced garlic for a stronger, more pungent flavor.
Semolina flour can be skipped if you do not have it. A dusting of regular flour works fine.
Equipment You'll Need
Knife or pizza cutter
Medium mixing bowl
Food processor or large mixing bowl
Plastic wrap
Rolling pin
Baking sheet or pizza pan
Small bowl
Pastry brush
Storage Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftover copycat pizza hut cheese sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes to bring the cheese back to life. A microwave works in a pinch but the crust will soften.
Freezer: You can freeze baked cheese sticks in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen at 375°F for about 10 minutes
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a warm bowl of classic marinara sauce for that authentic Pizza Hut copycat experience.
- Pair alongside a big green salad and a bowl of tomato soup for a cozy weeknight dinner.
- Set them out as a game day snack next to other finger foods like wings or sliders.
- Cut them into smaller pieces and serve as a party appetizer with a few different dipping sauces: ranch, garlic aioli, and marinara all work great.
Expert Tips for Perfect Copycat Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks
Watch your yeast temperature. Water that is too hot will kill the yeast. Aim for around 105 to 110°F, which feels warm but comfortable on your wrist.
Do not skip the rise. That 30 to 40 minute rest is what gives this copycat pizza dough its chewy, airy texture. Rushing it will make the sticks dense and flat.
Use bread flour. This is the secret to nailing the texture in this copycat pizza recipe. Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose, which creates that satisfying chew.
Brush the butter generously. Every corner should be coated. The garlic butter is what makes these sticks taste like the real deal, so do not hold back.
Pull them from the oven when the cheese is just golden. Overbaking dries out the dough. You want the cheese bubbly and spotted, with edges that look crispy but a center that is still soft.
Let them rest before slicing. Even just 3 minutes makes a difference. The cheese sets slightly and you get cleaner cuts.
FAQ
Does Pizza Hut make cheese sticks?
Yes! Pizza Hut's cheese sticks are one of their most popular menu items. They come with marinara sauce and feature a soft, chewy dough base topped with mozzarella and Parmesan. This copycat pizza recipe recreates that same experience right at home.
How many cheese sticks are in a Pizza Hut order?
A standard Pizza Hut order of cheese sticks typically includes 8 sticks. This homemade copycat pizza version yields 6 to 8 sticks depending on how you slice them, so you get a very similar serving size.
Is Pizza Hut cheese sticks halal?
This varies by location and country. If halal certification is important to you, this copycat pizza hut cheese sticks recipe is a great alternative because you control every ingredient that goes in.
How many calories are in 4 Pizza Hut cheese sticks?
Based on this copycat pizza recipe, each serving of approximately 1 to 2 sticks contains around 471 calories. Four sticks would land in the range of 300 to 400 calories depending on slice size. Always check the official Pizza Hut nutrition page for exact figures on their version.
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Pairing
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Homemade Cheesy Garlic Sticks
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine the warm water and yeast in a medium bowl, whisking briefly. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until foamy.
- Add room temperature water and olive oil to the foamed yeast, stirring to blend.
- Place bread flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk to evenly distribute the salt.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and stir or knead by hand or with a mixer until dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a baking sheet lightly or line with parchment paper and set aside.
- Sprinkle semolina flour on your countertop and rolling pin to prevent sticking, then roll the dough into a rectangle roughly the size of the baking sheet.
- Melt the butter in a small bowl using medium power in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir in garlic powder until combined.
- Brush the garlic butter evenly over the dough.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly across the dough and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 3–5 minutes, then cut into strips and serve hot with pizza or marinara sauce.
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