This easy olive oil bread dipping recipe features sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic cloves and fresh herbs. Dip your favorite warm bread in it for an easy appetizer.
One of my favorite things about going out to our favorite Italian restaurant is when the waiter brings a basket of fresh bread and a plate of olive oil dip as we look over the menu to order.
Have you ever created your own bread dip at home to go along with warm crusty bread?
It’s easier than you think and I promise my recipe will put a smile on the faces of everyone at the dinner table.
I’m lucky to have traveled to Italy during my college years and what I remember most is how delicious everything tasted.
Authentic is how I would describe true Italian foods.
So I am always on the lookout for the best tasting products and am pretty particular when it comes to selecting good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
This easy olive oil bread dipping recipe is perfect for creating with my favorite ingredients.
What olive oil is best for bread dipping?
Extra-virgin olive oil is best for dipping bread because it not been treated, so it is darker in color and more flavorful.
Fresh olive oil has a light peppery and grassy flavor with a fruit aroma.
Infusing the olive oil with sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh or roasted garlic will enhance the flavor of the olive oil.
Ingredients to make this simple olive oil bread dip
Good olive oil. Choose an extra virgin olive oil for this simple recipe.
My favorite brand is Kroger’s HemisFares unfiltered olive oil available at Kroger family stores.
If I can’t find it I will always select an unfiltered alternative because the taste is absolutely superior.
Sun dried tomatoes. Tomatoes packed in olive oil lend beautifully to this recipe. Just drain the jar and mince the tomatoes.
Fresh basil. I grow my own basil in the garden in the warmer months of summer.
It’s the intense flavor of homegrown herbs that taste best in this bread dip.
Red pepper flakes. Add a bit of spice for extra flavor to perk up the oil.
Fresh garlic cloves. I love to press the individual cloves of garlic, let it sit in the oil for a half hour to penetrate the flavor and then remove them just before serving.
Parmesan cheese. Select a good quality brick of Parmesan cheese from the deli and cheese aisle at the grocery. Grate or shred the cheese over the oil.
Good bread. The possibilities are endless.
Make your own or head to the bakery department of your grocery for the best bread.
What are the best ingredients for olive oil bread dipping recipes?
There are so many options that can be used to make an olive oil bread dip.
Start with your favorite olive oil and add a splash of aged balsamic vinegar, roasted garlic, fresh or dried herbs and grated hard cheeses like Parmesan or Manchego.
Serve small dipping bowls of oil alongside a boule of crusty Italian bread.
My favorite way to make an herb bread dip is with salty grated Parmesan cheese in my dipping oil.
The rest is experimentation with your favorite combination of fresh or dried herbs.
My personal favorite dip is with sun dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers which already come packed in olive oil.
These ingredients are ideal in a homemade bread oil dip.
Slice homemade bread into small pieces with bowls of the dipping oil and serve it alongside your favorite glass of wine.
You may have to make more than one bread boule when making this bread dip with olive oil. It’s that good!
If you don’t have the time to make your own loaf, hit the bakery of any local grocery stores for the freshest Italian boule, sourdough bread or French bread.
More great appetizer favorites
PEACH CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED HONEY RICOTTA
RICOTTA CROSTINI WITH BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES
CHORIZO STUFFED MUSHROOMS
MELON AND PROSCIUTTO SKEWERS WITH PECORINO ROMANO
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating. Be sure to follow HOME & PLATE on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all the latest content, recipes and updates.
Easy Olive Oil Bread Dipping Recipe with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 Italian bread boule
Instructions
- Add the extra virgin olive oil to a shallow bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the dipping oil to sit for 30 minutes then remove the pressed garlic and serve with a crusty loaf of bread.
Notes
If you make a recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!
Yum! I love this so much! I want to munch on it today!!
I have a baked bread recipe that goes so well with this dipping oil. Give it a try. The link in in this post. Thanks Kristina.
What a great idea to make your own dipping oil. I bet this would be good with a lot of things.
Yes Stephanie….this is so tasty with fresh baked bread. I love the olive oil and use it for marinades as well as so many other recipes. Definitely give it a try.
Very very nice and I love using dipping oils. I will be looking for this oil as I’ve not tried it yet. Your mixture looks so good.
Thanks Ginny…this olive oil is so full of flavor. It is my new favorite! Definitely check it out next time you are shopping at the Kroger family of stores.
I just love olive oil dips! Will pin for later 🙂
Kelly…you should try this oil. It is so full of flavor and even more so with the added ingredients.
This sundries tomato dipping oil sounds delicious, definitely I will try this recipe! Thanks for sharing with us.
I hope you do try it Jagruit…it’s the perfect dipper for Italian night in my house.
How can I make this ahead of time and store it for a party two weeks from now ?
I have not made this ahead of time and stored it but I think it can be made ahead of time. I would add the fresh basil and fresh cheese at the time you serve it. And I would reduce the number of garlic cloves to one so it doesn’t overpower the oil. Let me know how it turns out. ?