Bread Dipping Oil (Olive Oil Dip)

This restaurant-style bread dipping oil is an easy-to-make appetizer that everyone will love. You’ll need a few pantry staples and 5 minutes to make this Italian olive oil dip. 

Bread dipping oil in a bowl with bread slices on the side.

What Is Bread Dipping Oil? 

This is a mixture of mostly olive oil, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, freshly crushed black pepper, a teeny bit of red chili flakes, and a garnish of parmesan cheese.

Many restaurants like Carabba’s, Buca di Beppo, Bonefish Grill, Bravo, etc serve this olive oil bread dip along with freshly baked warm bread as a complementary appetizer. 

Most restaurants use dried herbs along with extra virgin olive oil and today’s recipe is trying to replicate that. 

A bread slice dipped into bread dipping oil.

You’ll Love This Olive Oil Bread Dip

  • Super easy to make: Just mix the ingredients listed and it’s ready.
  • Quick to make: It takes hardly 5 minutes to make.
  • Crowd-friendly: This is perfect for parties or large get-to-gathers as scaling the recipe doesn’t call for extra time. Plus, everyone loves it. 
  • Add to your platter: If making for a party then I recommend adding a few different dips, crackers, and bread and make a large appetizer platter. Other dip options are everything bagel dip, avocado dip, jalapeno popper dip
  • Customizable: You can add or skip some seasonings to this dip as per your liking and still it tastes super flavorful.

🧾 Ingredient Notes

Here is a pic of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious, flavorful bread dipping oil recipe.

Bread dipping oil ingredients in a cup and spoons with labels.

Extra virgin olive oil: This is the star or key ingredient in this dip recipe. So always use good quality oil for the best flavor. You can use flavored oils like garlic oil, herb-infused oil, basil oil, lemon or chili flavored oil, etc.

Which is the best oil for olive oil dip?

  • First, it must be extra virgin olive oil (meaning first press). It has a deeper flavor compared to regular olive oil. 
  • Second, before purchasing make sure that it is not blended with other oil. To your surprise, many brands in the USA sell low-quality oil that is a blend of olive oil along with canola or vegetable oil. 
  • Olive oil is light sensitive, so it should be sold in a dark glass bottle. A clear bottle is a red flag. 
  • Instead of buying imported oil, I prefer to buy that is pressed here in the USA (California). 

Garlic: I have used freshly minced garlic here. Instead, you can use garlic powder.

Italian seasoning: Instead of adding individual dried herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley, etc I opted to use an italian seasoning mix. 

Black Pepper: For the best flavor, I recommend freshly crushed black pepper instead of pepper powder.

Kosher salt: I highly recommend using kosher salt instead of table salt. Regular salt will settle at the bottom, plus it makes the dip salty. While kosher salt enhances the flavors without making it salty.

Red chili flakes: This is optional, but I like to add a teeny bit of it to add some heat to this dipping oil.

Parmesan cheese: Again, it is optional. But I like it as it adds some more flavor.  

👩‍🍳 How To Make Bread Dipping Oil? (Pics)

  1. Take extra virgin olive oil in a bowl or cup. 
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients (except parmesan) – Italian seasoning, minced garlic, kosher salt, crushed pepper, and chili flakes. Mix well and serve. 
Collage of 2 images showing all ingredients in a cup and mixed.

🍽 Best Bread Options For Dipping:

  • French baguette 
  • Italian bread loaf
  • Focaccia
  • Any crusty bread
  • Sourdough bread
  • Crostini

💭 Tips For Olive Oil Bread Dip Recipe

  • Use leftovers besides dipping oil: Drizzle over mashed potatoes, marinate the veggies before roasting, use in making salad dressing, and drizzle over beans or salad.
  • Make ahead option: Mix the dry spices together and keep minced garlic in a separate container (or use garlic powder and mix with spices). Right before serving mix spice mix, garlic, and olive oil. If made a day before then it loses its fresh flavor.
  • Fresh herbs: Instead of dried, you can use fresh herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, etc. If so make sure to chop them finely. Larger chunks/leaves are no fun in the dipping oil.
  • Make it kid-friendly: Skip the red chili flakes. 

🥣 Storage & Shelf Life Of Olive Oil Dip

  • Olive oil bread dip must be eaten fresh right after making it to enjoy its best taste.
  • Because it is super easy to make, I recommended making the required amount only. If needed it can be made right away in a minute in front of your guests. 
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days only (because of the fresh garlic in it). When ready to use, take it out from the fridge, let it sit until it comes to room temperature, and use it as needed. 
  • If planning to make it for longer storage, then use garlic powder instead of fresh, and do not add parmesan cheese. In this case, it can be stored for longer.
A bread dipped into olive oil bread dip.

Did you try this bread dipping oil recipe (Olive oil bread dip)? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.

Bread Dipping Oil (Olive Oil Dip Recipe)

4.60 from 5 votes
Bread dipping oil in a bowl with bread slices on the side.
This restaurant-style bread dipping oil is easy to make appetizer that everyone will surely love. You’ll need a few pantry staples and 5 minutes to make this Italian olive oil bread dip.
Kanan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 6

US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced, or use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetarian parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Take extra virgin olive oil in a bowl or cup.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients (except parmesan) – Italian seasoning, minced garlic, kosher salt, crushed pepper, and chili flakes. Mix well.
  • Serve with a garnish of parmesan.

Notes

  • Use leftovers besides dip: Drizzle over mashed potatoes, marinate the veggies before roasting, use in making salad dressing, and drizzle over beans or salad.
  • Make ahead option: Mix the dry spices together and keep minced garlic in a separate container (or use garlic powder and mix with spices). Right before serving mix spice mix, garlic, and olive oil. If made a day before then it loses its fresh flavor.
  • Fresh herbs: Instead of dried, you can use fresh herbs like basil, parsley, thyme, etc. If so make sure to chop them finely. Larger chunks/leaves are no fun in the dipping oil.
  • Make it kid-friendly: Skip the red chili flakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal (9%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 18g (28%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (15%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 224mg (9%) | Potassium: 21mg (1%) | Fiber: 0.5g (2%) | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 77IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 36mg (4%) | Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
4.60 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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