In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl), stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes or until foamy.
Mix in flour and salt. The dough should clear the sides of the mixing bowl and feel slightly sticky but shouldn't come off on your fingers if you pinch it.
Knead dough for three minutes.
Cover, and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Grease an 11X17-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
On a floured surface, roll out the dough into about a 12x16-inch rectangle about 1/2-inch thick.
Cut the dough in half width-wise with a pizza cutter. Cut into 8 strips lengthwise for a total of 16 strips.
Twist each strip slightly (or leave them as strips), and place about 1/2-inch apart on the baking sheet.
Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise 30 minutes. Toward the end of the resting time, preheat oven to 375 F.
Bake 12-20 minutes or until golden brown.
While breadsticks are baking, stir together butter, seasoning, and garlic salt.
Brush over hot breadsticks, and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if using.
Notes
Warm water: The water should be about 105 F. Water that's too hot will kill the yeast. Water that's too cool will slow the rising process.
Yeast: Can sub an equal amount of instant yeast. If using instant yeast, there's no need to let the yeast mixture stand until foamy.
Flour: You may find that you need to use a little more or less flour depending on how you measure and other factors like the humidity where you live.
Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe.
Garlic salt: If you're watching your sodium, you can use garlic powder in place of part of the garlic salt.
Mixing by hand: If you'd like to make the dough by hand, I have a section above the recipe that gives the instructions for that.