Cheesy Olive Bread
This easy Cheesy Olive Bread is the ultimate party appetizer that can be assembled in minutes. Loaded with melty cheese, briny olives, and fresh herbs.
Cheesy Olive Bread Recipe
If you love creamy, melty cheese and briny olives, this will be your new obsession. I first discovered a similar recipe a few years back from The Pioneer Woman and instantly fell in love. Olives are seriously my food love language, I eat them daily as a snack. But paired with rich cheese and a few simple herbs, they become pure indulgence.
I also love that this recipe requires so little effort. Just mix together the cheese, olives, and herbs, spread it generously over French bread, and bake. That’s it! It’s an impressive appetizer your crowd won’t be able to resist.
Simple Ingredients You Need
- French bread– Any artesian style bread works great — Ciabatta, sourdough, Italian.
- Sour cream and mayo– This combo brings a lighter, silkier creaminess and melts together beautifully.
- Cheese– We use Monterey Jack because it melts super creamy and has a milder taste.
- Butter
- Black olives
- Green olives with pimentos
- Green onions add a subtle onion flavor.
- Salt and pepper
Important Tip
For the best flavor and texture, serve your cheesy olive bread immediately after baking. If you’re taking it to a party, transport it unbaked and finish it in the oven when you arrive.
How To Make Cheesy Olive Bread
- Preheat oven and slice French bread in half lengthwise and place cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- In a bowl combine the rest of the ingredients until creamy.
- Divide the cheese and olive mixture between the two bread halves spreading all the way to the edges.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and lightly golden. Allow to rest 10-minutes and then slice into desired pieces.
Not Just An Appetizer. Serve It With Soup!
This cheesy olive bread isn’t just an irresistible appetizer, it’s also the perfect companion to a cozy bowl of soup. The salty olives, melty cheese, and toasty edges bring just the right amount of richness to balance anything from a hearty tomato soup to a simple chicken noodle. It’s the kind of side that turns an ordinary soup night into something extra comforting and a little bit special.
Ang’s Helpful Suggestions When Making Olive Bread
Use a mix of olives
Combining green olives with black olives creates a more complex, briny flavor.
Don’t skip the mayonnaise
Even if you’re not a mayo fan, it creates a richer, creamier base and helps the toppings melt evenly.
Use fresh garlic for bold flavor
If you enjoy garlic taste, add fresh minced garlic or garlic powder to the cheese mixture.
Choose a sturdy bread
A rustic loaf holds up better to the heavy cheesy topping.
Add heat if you like spice
Crushed red pepper flakes, or sliced pickled jalapeños are a nice addition.
Broil the top
If you want the top to have a deeper golden color, broil for a few seconds after baking. Note: if using parchment paper, you’ll want to replace with foil.
Make it ahead
You can make the cheese mixture 24 hours in advance. When ready to enjoy, spread on bread halves and bake.
Does Cheesy Olive Bread Reheat Well?
Yes! Don’t throw away the leftovers. Keep refrigerated up to 2 days. Simply wrap 1-2 bread pieces in foil. When you’re ready to reheat, bake at 350℉ in foil packs for 10-minutes, then unwrap and bake another 2-3 minutes. If you have an air fryer, this will also work well. It is not recommended to microwave the cheesy bread.
Optional Add-Ins and Variations
- Sun-dried tomatoes offer a beautiful color and taste.
- Feta cheese for extra tang
- Chopped artichokes for a creamy, briny addition
- Pepperoni or salami for a heartier appetizer
- Pickled jalapeños for a little spice
I guarantee if you bring this cheesy olive bread to your next festive gathering, you’ll be the star of the party!
Cheesy Olive Bread
Equipment
- medium bowl
- Large sheet pan
Ingredients
- 1 French bread loaf sliced in half lengthwise
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream full-fat
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 3/4 cup black olives, roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup green olives with pimentos, roughly chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced, about 1/4 cup
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Slice French bread in half lengthwise and place cut side up on prepared sheet pan.
- Next add the rest of the ingredients to a medium bowl and combine until creamy.
- Using a knife or the back of a spoon, divide and spread the cheesy olive mixture between the two bread halves, making sure to spread all the way to the edges.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.
- Allow to rest for 10-minutes before slicing into desired size pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
Try These Festive Appetizers Next!
More easy and yummy apps to make: Bacon Wrapped Parmesan Crackers, Marinated Cheese Appetizer, Cranberry Brie and White Cheddar Pull Apart Bread, Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts, Mediterranean Artichoke Dip Bruschetta, Smoked Sausage Cranberry Cheddar Bites and Pimento Cheese Dip.
Note: Some of the links on my website are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra charge to you.