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    HOME » Appetizers

    Dated: August 1, 2022 Last Modified: October 22, 2022 by Laura This post may contain affiliate links.

    Olive Oil Bread Dip

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This olive oil bread dip mixes up in less than 5 minutes for a flavorful addition to your table! Simple, quick, and a great appetizer to serve year round. 

    Most Italian restaurants serve this olive oil dip as soon as you sit down and I know my family always dives right in! Think places like Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bucca di Beppo, or your favorite Italian restaurant. 

    But the big secret is that it is so easy to make at home, you don’t need to put on pants to enjoy this! With only a few simple ingredients, you can make this olive oil bread dip. It's an easy appetizer that everyone loves. 

    Serve this alongside your favorite pasta, with some gluten free pizza, or with some delicious bread - check out this gluten free and dairy free bread! 

    Free from: Wheat, gluten, dairy, casein, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, mollusks, celery, corn, sesame, mustard, lupin, sulfites, and more 

    closer look at herbed olive oil bread dip in a shallow white bowl surrounded by bread slices, herbs, and lemon slices
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love this Olive Oil Bread Dip
    • Ingredients
    • Variations 
    • Instructions 
    • FAQ
    • Recipe

    Why You’ll Love this Olive Oil Bread Dip

    • Easy to make with both fresh or dry herbs
    • An elegant appetizer that is quick to make anytime of year
    • Super allergy friendly with no top 14 allergens at all

    Ingredients

    You only need 7 ingredients to make this and they are all ones to easily find at your local grocery store! 

    ingredients for olive oil bread dip in various glass bowls on the wood kitchen table

    Olive Oil 

    There are so many olive oils out there today it can be really overwhelming when you need to choose one for dipping bread vs using as a salad dressing. In general, I recommend that you look for a cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil from a single country of origin. They will have a good quality and be the most flavorful. 

    Some of my favorites are Kirkland Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil for the best price and great flavor and California Olive Ranch for the amazing flavor. 

    Pro tip! After you open olive oil, keep it in a cool, dark location and use it within 1-2 months. Olive oil can go rancid quickly. If unopened, it can last in a cool, dark location for up to 2 years. Just don’t keep it next to the oven or stove. 

    Fresh Herbs

    From the list of ingredients, use whatever fresh herbs that you have. I usually have a huge pot of basil in my window, so that always gets used. 

    • Fresh basil
    • Fresh oregano
    • Fresh thyme
    • Fresh rosemary
    • Fresh parsley 

    Dried Herbs 

    Whatever you don’t use fresh, you can totally use in dried form. In the winter, I often only have dried herbs on hand and that is totally okay! 

    • Dried basil
    • Dried thyme
    • Dried rosemary
    • Dried oregano
    • Dried parsley 

    Garlic 

    You can use fresh garlic, roasted garlic, or even garlic powder. It all depends on what you have on hand and how much of a garlic lover you are! 

    Minced fresh garlic will provide the most punchy garlic flavor. Use this if you are making and serving your olive oil bread dip right away, and plan on using it all up that same evening. Raw chopped garlic left in oil for longer than a day can cause food borne illness. 

    Oven roasted garlic will provide the most sweet and savory depth of garlic flavor to your bread dip. Mash it with a fork and serve right away, same as with the fresh garlic, though you don’t have to worry about using it up in 6 hours. 

    Garlic powder is my favorite method to make this in the winter or when I’m preparing the olive oil ahead of time for a dinner party. 

    Lemon Juice 

    Just a drizzle of lemon juice helps to blend all the flavors together and keeps this dip from being too heavy. 

    Variations 

    If you are not allergic to dairy, you can also add a tablespoon of shredded parmesan cheese for extra flavor. 

    If you are not allergic to sulfites, you can add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a deeper and more earthy flavor. Note, the kids may not like this addition as balsamic vinegar can be an acquired taste! 

    Want to spice things up a bit? Add in up to ½ a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give it a nice heat. 

    olive oil bread dip on the wood kitchen table surrounded by bread slices and fresh herbs. a single slice of bread is dipped into the bowl.

    Instructions 

    For the full instructions complete with measurements, please see the recipe card below. 

    The instructions for this recipe couldn’t be easier. 

    In a small bowl, add the olive oil, dried and fresh herbs, and drizzle of lemon juice. Whisk well. Add salt and black pepper. Whisk again. 

    Finally, add in any additional ingredients you may be using, like red pepper flakes or parmesan cheese. 

    Serve in a shallow dish or a little bowl to make it easy to dip the bread. 

    FAQ

    Can you use a pre-made Italian seasoning blend? 

    Sure, if that is what you have and enjoy by all means use it! One of my favorite blends is this one.

    How to Store 

    This olive oil bread dip can be made a few days in advance if using fresh or dried herbs. Make sure to use the fresh garlic and fresh basil right before serving. 

    Store in a cool, dark location and add any remaining garlic, herbs, or added extras right before serving. 

    Also, olive oil shouldn't be kept in the fridge. Keep it at room temperature for best results. 

    What to serve with this dip? 

    Of course, a good crusty bread is essential for this dip. A gluten free flatbread is also a welcome addition to the table with this dip! Any sort of fresh bread from italian bread to a warm crusty bread like French bageuttes, or even some sourdough bread all taste amazing. Go wild and serve them all in a huge bread basket! 

    If you are having a dinner party, you can also serve this with a charcuterie board. And of course, it goes great with a glass of wine! 

    Other Appetizers to Enjoy 

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    If you try these out, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. And if you want more delicious, dietary friendly recipes you can subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

    Recipe

    olive oil bread dip in a shallow white bowl with lots of herbs in the bowl and surrounding the bowl. slices of bread and lemons are also seen surrounding the bowl.

    Olive Oil Bread Dip

    This olive oil bread dip mixes up in less than 5 minutes for a flavorful addition to your table! Simple, quick, and a great appetizer to serve year round.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: allergy friendly, easy
    Allergen: Celery Free, Corn Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Fish / Shellfish Free, Peanut Free, Sesame Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free, Wheat Free
    Yield: 6 people
    Author: Laura // Living Beyond Allergies

    Equipment

    • measuring cup
    • measuring spoons
    • mixing bowls
    • whisk

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup olive oil
    • Squeeze of lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon basil fresh (½ tablespoon dry)
    • ½ teaspoon oregano dried
    • ½ teaspoon thyme dried
    • ¼ teaspoon rosemary dried
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
    • 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese optional

    Instructions

    • In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined. Use a whisk if desired. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Notes

    How to Store 
    This olive oil bread dip can be made a few days in advance if using fresh or dried herbs. Make sure to use the fresh garlic and fresh basil right before serving. 
    Store in a cool, dark location and add any remaining garlic, herbs, or added extras right before serving.
    LivingBeyondAllergies.com

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Love this recipe?Mention @livingbeyondallergies or tag #livingbeyondallergies!

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