This Garlic Parmesan Bread Dipping Oil is the ultimate finishing touch for your favorite crusty bread. Packed with herbs, spices, and fresh garlic, then finished with grated parmesan and rich extra virgin olive oil, it’s a flavor-packed addition to any appetizer spread. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s the easiest way to elevate any loaf.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Fast and easy: No cooking involved—just mix and serve.
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Packed with flavor: A perfect blend of herbs, garlic, spice, and cheese.
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Crowd-pleasing appetizer: Always a hit at parties, dinners, or casual get-togethers.
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Customizable: Easily adjust the heat or herbs to your liking.
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Pairs well with everything: Great with baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia, or sourdough.
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Make ahead friendly: Pre-mix the dry ingredients to save time.
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Versatile: Can be used as a salad drizzle or pasta toss.
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Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples with bold results.
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Impressive presentation: Looks beautiful when served in a shallow dish.
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Restaurant-quality at home: Tastes like your favorite Italian eatery’s signature oil.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
½ tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Directions
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In a small bowl, whisk together the crushed red pepper, black pepper, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
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Transfer the mixture to a shallow serving dish.
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Stir in the freshly minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese.
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Just before serving, drizzle enough extra virgin olive oil over the mixture to cover.
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Serve immediately with slices of your favorite crusty bread.
Note: For best flavor and food safety, do not combine the garlic, cheese, and olive oil with the dry spice blend until you’re ready to serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Variations
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Spicy version: Add extra crushed red pepper or a pinch of cayenne.
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Lemon zest: Stir in a little fresh lemon zest for brightness.
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Balsamic twist: Drizzle with a few drops of aged balsamic vinegar before serving.
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Fresh herbs: Use chopped fresh basil or oregano for a fresh garden flavor.
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Nutty flair: Add toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for texture.
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Sun-dried tomatoes: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean touch.
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Cheese swap: Use pecorino romano instead of parmesan for a sharper kick.
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Roasted garlic: Replace raw garlic with roasted garlic for a sweeter, milder flavor.
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Herb oil infusion: Infuse olive oil with herbs and garlic ahead of time for depth.
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Smoky note: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
Storage/Reheating
Store any leftover dry spice mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. Once combined with garlic, cheese, and oil, it should be used immediately or refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours for safety. If chilled, allow to come to room temperature before serving. Reheating is not recommended, as this oil is best served fresh and at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I prepare this dipping oil ahead of time?
You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time, but combine with garlic, cheese, and olive oil only right before serving.
What type of olive oil is best?
Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor, as it’s the main ingredient.
Is this dipping oil spicy?
It has a mild to moderate heat from the crushed red pepper. Adjust to your taste.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, but keep in mind that fresh herbs reduce the shelf life and should be used immediately.
What kind of bread pairs well with this?
Crusty breads like baguette, ciabatta, focaccia, or sourdough are ideal.
Can I leave out the parmesan cheese?
Yes, but the parmesan adds a rich, savory depth. You can substitute with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
How long does the mixed oil last?
Once garlic and cheese are added, it should be consumed within 24 hours and kept refrigerated if not used immediately.
Can I use pre-minced garlic?
Freshly minced garlic is best for flavor and texture, but jarred garlic can be used in a pinch.
What’s the purpose of the dry mix?
Pre-mixing the dry ingredients allows for quick assembly and even distribution of flavor.
Can I turn this into a salad dressing?
Yes, just whisk in a little vinegar like balsamic for a quick vinaigrette.
Conclusion
This Bread Dipping Oil is an easy and elegant way to elevate any bread basket. With its savory blend of herbs, garlic, and parmesan swirled in golden olive oil, it’s sure to impress guests or satisfy your own craving for something flavorful. Serve it fresh with your favorite bread and enjoy restaurant-level indulgence right at home.
Print
Bread Dipping Oil
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Garlic Parmesan Bread Dipping Oil is a quick and flavorful appetizer made with a blend of herbs, spices, garlic, and parmesan cheese, finished with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Perfect for pairing with crusty Italian bread.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- ½ tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil (enough to cover when serving)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the crushed red pepper, black pepper, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
- Transfer the dry spice mix to a shallow serving plate.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle enough extra virgin olive oil over the mixture to cover.
- Serve immediately with fresh crusty bread. Do not combine the garlic, cheese, oil, and dry spices until just before serving.
Notes
- Only mix the garlic, cheese, oil, and dry seasonings right before serving to preserve freshness.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Great with crusty bread like a French baguette or ciabatta.
- Spice levels can be adjusted by reducing the amount of crushed red pepper.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (with approx. 1/4 cup olive oil total)
- Calories: 163
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
