Best Olive Oil for Dipping Bread and Easy Ways to Serve It

Warm, crusty bread served with flavorful olive oil is a simple appetizer that works before dinner, alongside pasta, or as part of a larger spread. The key is choosing the right olive oil for dipping bread, since the oil is served uncooked and its flavor is easy to notice.

Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent starting point. Depending on the olive variety and harvest, an EVOO may taste fruity, grassy, peppery, or mildly bitter. You can serve it on its own or add herbs, garlic, balsamic vinegar, cheese, and spices to create an easy olive oil dip for bread.

Whether you prefer a classic EVOO or a seasoned bread dipper, there are plenty of ways to turn a loaf of bread into an easy appetizer.

What Is the Best Olive Oil for Dipping Bread?

The best olive oil for dipping bread is typically a high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a flavor you enjoy on its own. Because the oil is not hidden behind cooking or other ingredients, freshness and flavor make a noticeable difference.

If you enjoy bold flavors, look for an EVOO with grassy, peppery, or slightly bitter notes. These oils pair especially well with rustic bread, sourdough, and focaccia.

For a smoother dipping experience, choose a fruitier or milder EVOO. These oils are also a good base when you plan to add garlic, herbs, balsamic vinegar, or Parmesan.

Big Paw Olive Oil's Early Harvest Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a good option for people who enjoy a fresh, more assertive EVOO. Its distinctive character makes it suitable for bread dipping as well as dressings, finishing, and other uncooked applications.

How to Make an Easy Olive Oil Dip for Bread

A flavorful bread dip does not require a long list of ingredients. Start with quality EVOO and adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Simple Herb and Garlic Olive Oil Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Sea salt to taste
• Grated Parmesan, optional
   

Directions

Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a shallow serving dish. Add the oregano, basil, rosemary, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and a small amount of sea salt.

Stir gently and allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes so the herbs and garlic can flavor the oil. Add Parmesan just before serving, if desired.

Serve the dip with warm slices of baguette, sourdough, ciabatta, focaccia, or another crusty bread.

For extra acidity and sweetness, drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar over the oil before serving.

Easy Ways to Flavor an Olive Oil Dipping Sauce for Bread

Once you have a basic olive oil dipping sauce for bread, it is easy to customize it for different meals and occasions.

Add Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar adds acidity and a touch of sweetness that balances the richness of olive oil. Rather than completely mixing the balsamic into the EVOO, try adding a small drizzle so each bite can pick up a different balance of oil and vinegar.

Big Paw Olive Oil also offers a Balsamic Bread Dipper for shoppers who want a prepared combination that can be served with bread without making a dip from scratch.

Try Rosemary and Garlic

Rosemary and garlic are classic partners for bread. They work especially well with focaccia, sourdough, French bread, and rustic Italian loaves.

Big Paw Rosemary & Garlic Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil provides an easy option for bread dipping. Pour it into a shallow dish and serve as-is, or add freshly ground pepper, grated Parmesan, or a small drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Add Some Heat

For a spicy bread dip, add red pepper flakes, chili seasoning, or a small amount of cayenne.

Another easy choice is Big Paw's Spicy Bread Dipper, which is designed for people who prefer a little heat with their bread. It can also be used beyond dipping, making it useful for other dishes that need a flavorful oil.

Explore Big Paw Olive Oil Bread Dippers

Making an olive oil dip for bread from scratch gives you complete control over the herbs and seasonings, but prepared bread dippers are convenient when you want to serve something quickly.

Big Paw Olive Oil offers several options with different flavor profiles.

The Pizzeria Bread Dipper is a natural choice for Italian-inspired meals and can be served alongside pizza, pasta, or warm bread.

The Balsamic Bread Dipper provides a sweet and tangy alternative for people who enjoy balsamic vinegar with their olive oil.

For something with more heat, try the Spicy Bread Dipper. Big Paw also offers Flaming Fig and Spaghetti Western Bread Dipper for shoppers looking for less traditional flavor combinations.

Serving two or three dipping oils at the same time can also turn a simple bread basket into an easy tasting experience for guests.

What Bread Goes Best with Olive Oil?

A good bread for dipping should have enough structure to absorb the oil without immediately falling apart.

Popular choices include:

• Sourdough
• Focaccia
• Ciabatta
• French baguette
• Rustic Italian bread
• Artisan loaves
   

Warm the bread slightly before serving and slice or tear it into manageable pieces.

Focaccia works particularly well with herb-forward oils, while sourdough can stand up to stronger, peppery EVOOs. A baguette is a versatile option when you are serving several dipping oils with different flavors.

More Ways to Serve Olive Oil with Bread

Bread dipping oil does not have to be limited to a starter before an Italian meal.

Serve extra virgin olive oil and bread alongside soup or salad for a simple lunch. Rosemary and garlic oil pairs naturally with roasted vegetables, while balsamic-based dipping oils can work well on an appetizer board with bread, cheese, olives, and vegetables.

For entertaining, create a small bread-dipping board with plain EVOO, a flavored olive oil, a balsamic option, and a spicy dipper. Guests can taste each one and discover which combination they prefer.

You can also use leftover seasoned olive oil as a base for a vinaigrette or drizzle it over roasted vegetables, pizza, or pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of olive oil is best for dipping bread?

A: Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best choices because its natural flavor can be enjoyed without cooking. Choose a flavor profile that suits your taste, whether you prefer fruity and smooth or grassy and peppery. Big Paw Olive Oil's Early Harvest Koroneiki EVOO is one option for those who enjoy a more distinctive olive oil flavor.

Q: What can I add to olive oil for dipping bread?

A: Garlic, oregano, basil, rosemary, red pepper flakes, black pepper, sea salt, Parmesan, and balsamic vinegar are all popular additions. You can use just one or two ingredients or combine several to create your own olive oil dipping sauce for bread.

Q: Can flavored olive oil be used for bread dipping?

A: Yes. Flavored olive oils are an easy way to add more character without preparing a seasoning mixture separately. Big Paw's Rosemary & Garlic Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be served directly with warm bread or paired with balsamic vinegar and Parmesan.

Q: Does Big Paw Olive Oil sell bread dipping oils?

A: Yes. Big Paw Olive Oil offers several bread dippers, including Balsamic Bread Dipper, Pizzeria Bread Dipper, Spicy Bread Dipper, Flaming Fig, and Spaghetti Western Bread Dipper. You can also use Big Paw's extra virgin and flavored olive oils to create your own bread dip at home.

Find Your Favorite Olive Oil for Dipping Bread

A good bread dip can be as simple as extra virgin olive oil and warm, crusty bread. Herbs, garlic, spices, cheese, and balsamic vinegar can then be added to create a combination that fits your meal.

Explore Big Paw Olive Oil's extra virgin olive oils, flavored olive oils, and bread dippers to find your preferred flavor. Choose a classic EVOO, try Rosemary & Garlic, or explore one of Big Paw's prepared bread dippers for an easy appetizer.

Shop Big Paw Olive Oil and find the perfect dipping oil for your next loaf of bread.