Olive oil bread dips are amazing; the rich, fruity, and slightly peppery taste of extra virgin olive oil combined with herbs, garlic, balsamic vinegar, or spices creates layers of flavor that elevate a simple piece of bread into a gourmet experience. 

A staple in any Italian restaurant, olive oil bread dips are perfect for serving alongside your favorite pasta and some red wine or as an easy appetizer served with ciabatta, focaccia, or a French baguette. Fortunately, making your own olive oil bread dip is incredible, and it can be achieved with just a few flavorful ingredients and minimal prep time. So, without further ado, let's dip right in. 

Key Ingredients For Olive Oil Bread Dip

Olive oil bread dip can be made with many different ingredients, depending on the taste. However, our favorite bread dipping oil recipe includes: 

• High-quality extra virgin olive oil: Fantoio Grove's cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil would work wonders for this recipe. It comes from non-GMO organically farmed olives whose quality isn't affected by pesticides or herbicides and, thus, aren't contaminated by chemicals. Using a good quality olive oil is key to achieving the best taste.

• Minced garlic or garlic powder: You can use fresh garlic or roasted garlic powder for this recipe. We prefer freshly minced garlic cloves, but both work just fine. 

• Italian herbs (oregano, dried basil, thyme, parsley): You can add any Italian seasoning mix that contains your favorite dried herbs. You can use fresh herbs as well, such as fresh rosemary. 

• Crushed red pepper flakes: Adding red pepper flakes is completely optional; add some for heat. 

• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional for richness): Parmesan adds a delicious umami depth and enhances the overall flavor. Please note that it may not be to everyone's taste, so you might want to opt for a dairy-free alternative, like nutritional yeast. Parmesan also contains potassium, a beneficial mineral found in many cheeses.

• Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice for acidity: A splash of balsamic vinegar provides a subtle sweetness, while fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor with a citrusy kick. Choose based on your preference. 

• Freshly ground salt and pepper: For the best flavor, use high-quality sea salt or even kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the dip with just the right balance of seasoning. 

Other Uses for Olive Oil Bread Dip

This olive oil mixture isn't just for dipping! You can also use it as a:

• Salad dressing: Drizzle over fresh greens for an easy homemade vinaigrette.

• Marinade: Perfect for chicken, fish, or roasted vegetables.

• Pasta topping: Mix it with pasta for a light and flavorful sauce.

How to Make Olive Oil Bread Dip

As previously stated, olive oil bread dip is incredibly easy to make. Just mix your ingredients in a bowl, add your olive oil, and drizzle some balsamic vinegar or lemon juice on top. Of course, you can swap some ingredients based on what you have in the kitchen or based on who's coming. 

Make sure to use high-quality quality olive oils for the best taste, like Fantoio Grove's cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Let the dip sit for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature before serving with some fresh, crusty bread. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. 

Serve with fresh bread like ciabatta or a French baguette, and enjoy this simple yet flavorful dipping sauce. You can also make this dip hours before serving; just make sure to refrigerate it in an airtight container and let it acclimate to room temperature some 30 minutes before serving.

Why Choose Frantoio Grove Olive Oil?

Organic olive oil is immensely tasty, especially when mixed with a selection of herbs and spices. If you're looking to buy premium olive oil, don't hesitate to check out Fantoio Grove, the first and only regenerative organic certified olive farm and mill in California.