Name: Bread Dipping Oil
Prep time: 1 min
Total time: 1 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, see note 1; 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano, see note 2; 2 teaspoons Dried Red Chili Flakes (optional), see note 3; Freshly Cracked Black Pepper (optional), see note 4; Balsamic Vinegar Reduction (optional), see note 5

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An easy recipe for bread dipping oil. Simple, quick and tasty addition to dinner, cheese board or charcuterie platter. If you like quick appetizers, put this one on your menu!

This basic bread dipping oil recipe is very versatile. There is no right or wrong when it comes to making this easy appetizer. Add more herbs, less chili flakes, omit black pepper …

What is the best bread for dipping in olive oil?

The best ones are French baguette, Italian-style bread or any artisan bread you can get your hands on.

Ingredients Needed for Making Bread Dipping Oil

Can I substitute extra virgin olive oil?

No. For best results (taste-wise and also health-wise), use extra virgin olive oil.

Do not substitute it with other types (sunflower, vegetable, …).

Is dipping bread in olive oil healthy?

Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed which means it is the best-quality oil you can get and should be included in everyone’s diet and if possible substituted for other oils such vegetable or sunflower oil.

Now that being said, olive oil (like any other oil) contains fat so it’s important to take it in moderate amount. So, if you host a dinner party or any kind of a party from time to time and put this quick appetizer/snack on your party menu, you will be fine.

Also, I recommend using a shallow plate rather than small bowl to serve this bread dipping oil in.

This way you can easily control the amount of oil your bread absorbs which is not easy when you have a deep bowl as we all tend to just dip the bread in deeper, meaning chances are your bread will soak up way more oil.

Storage:

This bread dipping oil is ready literally in 1 minute, so I prefer to make it from scratch every time I want to serve it. However, you can prepare it in a larger quantity and store it in a clean jar on your counter or in the pantry.

It should last for weeks because it does not contain any fresh ingredients. I would omit the balsamic vinegar reduction and added it only before serving.

Ingredient substitutions:

Herbs – instead of dried oregano, you can use herbs de Provence, thyme, marjoram. If I have some leftover Homemade Italian Seasoning on hand, I like to use that.

Black pepper – ground black pepper can be also used, or omit it completely.

Hosting a dinner party/family gathering/Thanksgiving dinner?

Need more easy appetizers to put on your menu? Here is some inspiration for you:

Yield: ¼ cup

Bread Dipping Oil

An easy recipe for bread dipping oil. Simple, quick and tasty addition to dinner, cheese board or charcuterie platter. If you like quick appetizers, put this one on your menu!

Prep Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Ingredients

¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, see note 1
2 teaspoons Dried Oregano, see note 2
2 teaspoons Dried Red Chili Flakes (optional), see note 3
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper (optional), see note 4
Balsamic Vinegar Reduction (optional), see note 5

Instructions

On a shallow plate, combine olive oil, oregano, chili flakes, black pepper and balsamic vinegar reduction (if using).
Mix well and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

Use only extra virgin olive oil.
Dried oregano can be substituted with dried thyme, herbs de Provence, Italian seasoning or basil.
Red chili flakes can be completely omitted. If you decide to use them, make sure not to add too much.
Black pepper can also be omitted.
Balsamic vinegar reduction is thick and perfect for this dipping oil. However, you can omit it.
Without the reduction, you can store this in your pantry or on your kitchen counter for several weeks, however, I recommend making it from scratch before you want to serve it.
Feel free to add more herbs and less chili flakes, if you prefer it that way.