Garlic & Cheese Bread Sticks

In Italy and other parts of the world more broadly, the phrase “bread sticks” is typically understood to mean grissini, thin, crispy batons of bread, baked until they’re dry and cracker-like. In North America, however, bread sticks are almost their diametic opposite: wide, soft, and often accentuated with savory seasonings and cheese. Trader Joe’s Garlic & Cheese Bread Sticks are firmly of the North American kind, meaning they have a luxuriously soft texture, with garlic, other aromatic spices, and a blend of four cheeses baked right in. Don’t get us wrong: grissini have their place (we’ve sold them before and almost certainly will again!) but when you want something soft, savory, and cheesy, these Bread Sticks are hard to beat.

A consummate companion to pizza, pasta, soups, and salads, Trader Joe’s Garlic & Cheese Bread Sticks are delicious right out of the package, but even more so when heated up in an oven for a few minutes right before serving. Each batch is made with a mix of grated Parmesan, Romano, mozzarella and Cheddar, ensuring that each bite is satisfyingly cheesy. In addition to their use as a side, they also make a great appetizer when served with warm marinara for dipping—a little like straightened out garlic knots, if you will.