Whether the breadsticks at Olive Garden contain dairy is a common question for those with dietary restrictions like lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients in Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks to determine if they contain milk, butter, or other dairy products.
The Ingredients in Olive Garden Breadsticks
According to the Olive Garden website, the ingredients in their breadsticks are:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Soybean oil
- Garlic (garlic, water, citric acid)
- Parmesan cheese (pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- Italian seasoning (oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, sage)
- Parmesan cheese topping (parmesan cheese [pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], modified food starch, salt, microcrystalline cellulose)
At first glance, the two types of parmesan cheese listed are the only obvious dairy ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at each ingredient to determine if any others contain hidden dairy.
Enriched Flour
Enriched flour contains no dairy. It is simply wheat flour that has certain B vitamins and iron added back in after processing.
Water
Water contains no dairy.
Yeast
Yeast contains no dairy. It is a leavening agent that helps bread rise.
Sugar
Regular white sugar does not contain dairy or animal products.
Salt
Table salt is vegan and dairy-free.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is extracted from soybeans and contains no dairy.
Garlic
Fresh garlic contains no dairy. The listed ingredients are simply garlic, water, and citric acid for preservation.
Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning contains common herbs like oregano, basil, and rosemary that have no dairy.
Parmesan Cheese
Here are the two parmesan cheese ingredients again. Parmesan cheese is made from cow’s milk, so these ingredients clearly contain dairy.
Do Olive Garden Breadsticks Contain Dairy?
Based on a thorough review of the breadstick ingredients, we can determine that:
- The only ingredients that contain dairy are the two types of parmesan cheese.
- The other ingredients like flour, yeast, seasonings, garlic, and soybean oil are dairy-free.
So in summary – yes, Olive Garden breadsticks do contain dairy because they are topped and made with parmesan cheese. Someone with a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance may have issues after eating them.
Amount of Dairy in Olive Garden Breadsticks
Just because Olive Garden breadsticks contain dairy doesn’t mean they are off limits for those with some dairy sensitivity. The amount of dairy may be small enough that some people can tolerate it.
Unfortunately, Olive Garden does not provide full nutrition information on their website for the breadsticks. However, we can estimate the amount of dairy using the nutrition facts for the soup and salad that comes with breadsticks:
- The soup and salad with breadsticks has 15% of the daily value of calcium.
- Calcium primarily comes from dairy products, so this gives us an estimate.
- Each breadstick may have around 1-3 grams of parmesan cheese on top based on weighing a sample breadstick.
Based on this information, the total dairy in each Olive Garden breadstick is estimated to be:
- Around 1-5 grams of parmesan cheese per breadstick
- Up to 15% of the daily recommended intake of dairy
The amount of dairy varies based on preparation and how much cheese ends up on each breadstick. But overall it seems to be a fairly small amount compared to a full serving of cheese or milk.
Options for Customizing at Olive Garden
What if you want to enjoy Olive Garden breadsticks but need to fully avoid dairy due to an allergy or intolerance? Here are some customization options to order dairy-free breadsticks:
- Request breadsticks without butter – Olive Garden will prepare plain breadsticks with olive oil instead of butter.
- Ask for breadsticks without parmesan cheese topping.
- Some locations may be able to make breadsticks with vegan cheese instead of parmesan. Check with your local restaurant.
With these customizations, you can enjoy Olive Garden breadsticks without the dairy ingredients. Keep in mind that there is likely some cross-contact with butter and cheese in the kitchen. But for most dairy-free diners, ordering breadsticks prepared plain and without cheese is an easy workaround.
Nutrition Info for Customized Dairy-Free Breadsticks
Here is the approximate nutrition information for Olive Garden breadsticks customized to be dairy-free:
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 230 |
| Fat | 3.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 490mg |
| Carbohydrates | 41g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 5g |
With no cheese or butter, the dairy-free breadsticks have zero saturated fat and much lower overall fat. They are still full of carbs and calories from the flour, oil, and yeast. But for someone avoiding dairy, this basic nutrition profile is likely preferable. You miss out on some protein, calcium, and other nutrients from the parmesan cheese however.
Dairy-Free Dipping Sauces
What good are breadsticks without a delicious dipping sauce? Here are some dairy-free sauce options at Olive Garden:
- Marinara sauce
- Tomato basil dipping sauce
- Roasted red pepper or balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- Olive oil and vinegar
Most of Olive Garden’s salad dressings and pasta sauces are made dairy-free, without cream, cheese, or butter. Double check with your server, but you typically have plenty of options for dipping and dunking your customized dairy-free breadsticks.
Should You Consume Olive Garden Breadsticks Without Dairy?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to consume Olive Garden breadsticks without dairy:
Pros:
- Enjoy the familiar flavor and texture of breadsticks
- Avoid gastrointestinal issues from dairy intake
- Get to indulge in a popular appetizer item
Cons:
- Higher carbohydrate food without nutrients from dairy
- Risk of trace amounts of cross-contact dairy
- May not taste as flavorful without cheese
Overall, the decision comes down to your comfort level with possible cross-contact and how strictly you need to avoid dairy. For severe milk allergies, it may be best to avoid breadsticks altogether. But for lactose intolerance or minor sensitivities, customized Olive Garden breadsticks can be an option to enjoy this popular appetizer.
Conclusion
Olive Garden’s breadsticks do contain dairy in the form of parmesan cheese. But the good news is that you can customize them to be dairy-free by requesting no butter and no cheese topping. While not exactly the same experience, you can still enjoy a version of this tasty Italian appetizer. Be sure to get a dairy-free dipping sauce like marinara and use caution with potential cross-contact. With some adjustments, those with dairy restrictions can find an option to participate in the timeless tradition of unlimited Olive Garden breadsticks.