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This olive oil bread dip is packed with bold herbs, garlic, and parmesan flavor that instantly transforms any slice of bread into something restaurant-worthy. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes!
Pair this olive oil dipping sauce with Easy French Bread or Sourdough Bread to soak up all that deliciousness!
Why you’ll love this olive oil bread dip recipe!
It is incredible how such an easy-to-make dip can transform your bread. A plain piece of crusty French bread or sourdough becomes something addictive and irresistible. All that salty, garlic, herby flavor is impossible to resist.
I should probably warn you that once you dunk your bread into this bread dip and taste all those intense spices and herbs, you are going to end up dunking and eating, dunking and eating…the whole loaf will be gone in minutes!
- Restaurant-Style at Home: This dip tastes just like the one you get at your favorite Italian restaurant, with rich olive oil and perfectly balanced herbs in every bite.
- Ready in Minutes: You only need about 5 minutes to mix everything together, making it perfect for last-minute appetizers or quick snacks.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of garlic, parmesan, and Italian herbs creates a bold, savory dip that makes even simple bread irresistible.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or building a charcuterie board, this dip always impresses guests.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Minced garlic – You can chop up fresh garlic cloves, or take a shortcut and use jarred minced garlic. I find fresh garlic to have a more powerful flavor, but jarred garlic is so super simple to use and still tastes good.
- Italian seasoning – Italian seasoning is made with a blend of dried herbs. It usually has basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. Italian seasoning sometimes has red pepper flakes, dried cilantro, and savory too, but each blend is a tiny bit different. Use a store-bought blend, or make your own Italian seasoning.
- Onion powder – Adds depth and a subtle savory note.
- Grated parmesan cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese is the best as far as flavor.
- Olive oil – Be sure to use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. It will have the best, buttery, peppery flavor that you will taste in every bite of dip.
Variations
- Add ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper to make a spicy olive oil bread dip.
- Add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary to make the dip even more herby.
- Cut the top off of a whole head of garlic and place it, cut side up, with the garlic paper still on, in a small ramekin. Fill the ramekin with olive oil. Then, cover it with foil. Place the ramekin on a rimmed baking tray, and put it in the oven at 350 degrees. Roast the garlic for one hour. Remove the garlic from the oven, and let it cool for another hour. Once the garlic is cooled, squeeze the roasted cloves out of the garlic paper. They should pop right out! Mash up the roasted garlic cloves, and use these to make roasted garlic olive oil bread dip. It will have a very sweet, pungent taste.
How to Make Olive Oil Bread Dip
- Mix the seasonings: Add all of the dry seasonings, minced garlic, and the grated parmesan cheese to a small bowl. Stir them together well.
- Add the oil: Add the olive oil to the bowl and stir again, mixing the seasonings into the oil. Let the olive oil and herb mix sit. The longer it sits, the more the olive oil will absorb the flavors of the garlic and herbs.
Best Bread for Dipping
Choosing the best bread for dipping makes all the difference when serving this recipe.
Crusty breads work best because they hold up to the oil without falling apart. Some great options include:
- French bread – Light, airy, and perfect for soaking up oil
- Sourdough bread – Adds a slightly tangy flavor
- Italian bread – Soft inside with a sturdy crust
- Ciabatta – Great texture with lots of air pockets
How to Store
Since this olive oil bread dip with herbs is made with fresh garlic and freshly grated parmesan cheese, it does need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Olive oil does contain lots of healthy unsaturated fats. It contains antioxidants and also anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic and herbs are also quite healthy and have many nutrients. Olive oil bread dip is fairly healthy. However, keep in mind that it is still very high in fat and calories, and bread contains lots of carbs. It is perfectly fine to enjoy in moderation but not something you want to eat at every meal.
Crusty, thick bread is best for serving with olive oil. Choose a bread that will soak up the oil and not crumble apart. Sourdough bread, French bread, and Italian bread are all great for dipping.
Virgin olive oils are made by cold pressing the olives. There is no heat or chemicals used to extract the oil from the olives. Virgin olive oil has a richer, more peppery taste that is delicious when used in bread dip.
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after sitting for a bit. Just store it in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving.
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Olive Oil Bread Dip
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 3 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, stir the fresh chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, black pepper, salt and grated cheese together.2 Tablespoons minced garlic, 3 Tablespoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 3 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- Add the olive oil to the bowl and whisk.2 cups olive oil
- Let the mix sit for about 30 minutes just to let the flavors really develop in the oil.
- Enjoy with your favorite fresh breads!
Notes
- You can keep the garlic oil in an airtight container for two weeks. After that, the garlic is no longer considered safe to eat. If you don’t think you will be able to enjoy all the dipping oil within two weeks, just cut the recipe in half!
- Add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix to give the dipping oil a little bit of a kick.
