Easy Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
Bringing your favorite, fancy Italian restaurant starter straight to your table! This easy bread dipping oil is a burst of Mediterranean flavor, using good olive oil and your favorite crust bread. It makes a perfect appetizer or afternoon snack!
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About 6 months ago, Scott and I started Sunday family dinners with the kids. It’s one of those intentional decisions to maintain a steady rhythm that draws us back together, at least once a week. With the weather turning warmer, we often find ourselves on the deck with good snacks and yummy drinks.
I placed a few bowls of this dip and freshly baked baguettes around the table, and they were gone in a flash! Everyone remarked on how much flavor there was and how delicious the vinegar tasted. It was a simple moment that set the tone for a beautiful afternoon of great conversations, silly shenanigans, and most importantly, connection.
Why You’ll Love Dipping Oil for Bread
- Quick and easy – This dipping oil is a great last minute dinner party dish and delivers a ton of flavor with little effort!
- The perfect easy appetizer – Made in minutes, this easy bread dip disappears every time I serve it. Because the dip uses dried herbs instead of fresh herbs, most people already have the majority of the ingredients in their pantry.
- Simple ingredients – With a short ingredient list, each item makes an impact. Be sure to choose high-quality ingredients for the best-tasting dip.
- Delicious – What’s not to love about dipping bread in oil and vinegar? Especially when it’s served with warm bread fresh from the oven!
- Versatile – This delicious dipping oil isn’t just for only bread. Use it as a salad dressing, marinade, or toss with roasted vegetables, like carrots, zucchini, or potatoes.
Ingredients
- Olive oil – Use a good quality olive oil for the best results. Unfortunately, many olive oils sold in big box stores are cut with a cheaper, lower-quality oil. Look for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with a ‘pressed on’ date or ‘harvest date’ so you know how old the oil is.
- Balsamic vinegar – The acidity of the vinegar adds a brightness that complements the rich olive oil and cheese. An aged balsamic vinegar will have a sweet, mellow profile.
- Red pepper flakes – Red pepper flakes are a hidden gem and one of my favorite spices. Just a pinch brings any food to the next level. Just be careful not to add so much that it’s too hot to enjoy.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves will pack a punch of flavor that you just won’t get from garlic powder.
- Salt – Add a sprinkle of kosher salt over the top of the bread oil to taste!
How to Make Dipping Oil for Bread
To a shallow bowl, add minced garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Pour 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar over the herbs and stir to combine.
Let the dipping oil sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors meld before serving.
Serve your favorite bread with this simple olive oil dip.
Store
Place leftover dipping oil in an airtight container and refrigerate.
FAQs
What Kind of Oil for Bread Dipping?
Since olive oil is the star of the show, be sure to use a high quality olive oil. Look for extra virgin olive oil in a dark glass bottle. Unrefined, cold-pressed olive oil will have a rich color and peppery flavor.
What Kind of Bread is Best for Dipping in Oil?
The type of bread is less important than choosing fresh bread with good flavor. Some great options are French baguette, Italian bread, focaccia, ciabatta bread, or crusty sourdough bread. My personal favorite is a crusty sourdough bread. I suggest not using a bread with a complex flavor that would compete with the flavors in the oil.
Is Dipping Bread in Oil Healthy?
The Mediterranean diet is long been touted as a healthy way of eating. It focuses on nutrient-dense whole foods with minimal processing, such as fresh produce, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats like nuts and olive oil. It’s not surprising that dipping bread in olive oil is a staple in this cuisine.
How Long Does Bread Dipping Oil Last?
Dipping oil can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Do I Need to Refrigerate Dipping Oil?
Because the dipping oil has fresh garlic in it, it is perishable and needs to be refrigerated after use. There’s not enough acidity in the dipping oil to keep it safe from botulism, or food contamination.
The oil does become thick after chilling, but it becomes liquid again after sitting at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Have fun and make the dipping oil your own. Experiment by adding parmesan cheese or sundried tomatoes.
If You Like This Recipe, You’ll Also Like These…
- Mediterranean Layered Dip
- Easy Homemade Boursin Cheese
- Easy Whipped Honey Butter Compound
- How To Make Roasted Garlic Herb Compound Butter
If you tried this recipe, I’d love to hear from you! Please share your favorite way to serve this bread oil!
Easy Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
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Ingredients
- 70 g extra virgin olive oil ⅓ cup
- 15 g balsamic 1 tablespoon
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp salt and black pepper
Instructions
How to Make Dipping Oil for Bread
- To a shallow bowl, add minced garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning,1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Pour 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar over the herbs and stir to combine.
- Let the dipping oil sit for 20-30 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors meld before serving.
- Serve your favorite bread with this simple olive oil dip.
Store
- Place leftover dipping oil in an airtight container and refrigerate.
