Snake Breadsticks

Snake breadsticks are a fun and imaginative variation of the traditional breadsticks from Turin. Here’s how to prepare these cute snacks that both adults and children can make.

Ingredients

• 250 g of soft wheat flour
• 125 ml of lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon of barley malt or honey
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 7 g of fresh brewer’s yeast
• Semolina flour or cornmeal for dusting
• Sesame, poppy, dried rosemary, or other preferred herbs for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the brewer’s yeast in the lukewarm water with barley malt or honey to activate it.
2. Add the sifted flour, oil, and finally the salt. Knead vigorously until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.
3. Let the dough rest covered with a damp cloth or with plastic wrap in a warm place, away from drafts, until it doubles in volume (about 1-2 hours).
4. After the rising time, take the dough and divide it into small portions, create snake-like shapes by rolling them with your hands dusted with semolina flour or cornmeal on the work surface. If you wish, you can sprinkle the snake breadsticks with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or aromatic herbs.
5. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave space between them to prevent sticking during baking.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 10-15 minutes or until the breadsticks are golden and crispy.
7. Let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Interesting Facts

You can have fun giving the snake breadsticks various shapes, such as spirals, waves, or knots, to make them even more eye-catching, especially if they are meant for children.

Snake breadsticks are perfect as a snack for parties or as an accompaniment to appetizers and aperitifs. Have fun and happy cooking!