Bread dipping oil is a tasty 6-ingredient dip just like they serve it as an appetizer in the fancy Italian restaurants. This 5-minute oil for bread dipping is made by mixing extra virgin olive oil with flavorful herbs, garlic and balsamic vinegar. You can also use it as a drizzle on salads or to add extra flavor to your meals. It's a simple way to make eating bread more fun and delicious!
This restaurant copycat bread dipping oil recipe is simply the BEST. It is so easy and quick to make. This recipe is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, low carb and soy free.
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Similar to Easy Italian Bruschetta, Olive Tapenade, Sour Cream and Chives Dip and Whipped Cottage Cheese, this Dipping oil for bread is my go-to recipe for appetizer dips.
Restaurant Copycat Bread Dipping Oil
Nationwide restaurant chains like Carrabba's, California Pizza Kitchen and Olive Garden serve balsamic vinegar and olive oil dipping sauce for bread as a starter. So do our local mom & pop restaurants like Bonta, Francesca and Giannis's Cafe.
It is downright therapeutic to see the servers make this dip live on your table. Plus the wafting aroma of freshly baked loaf. It is Heavenly!
There is perfect harmony of oil getting dipped, herbs getting added, garlic getting mixed with finishing notes of freshly ground black pepper, sea salt and parmesan. Just so good !
This oil dip is so irresistible, I can't stop eating it. My kids love it. We have to literally stop ourselves from finishing off the whole loaf of bread before we know it.
It took me a long time to photograph and write this recipe. Simply because, no one had patience to wait around. Once you dunk a bread piece and eat it, you keep going ! It's unstoppable.
Ingredients
Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. And frankly, there is no exact measurement needed. Let your taste be your guide.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil : I prefer to use small batch for the freshness.
- Aged Balsamic Vinegar : Adds a robust zesty taste
- Minced Garlic : fresh, cooked or roasted
- Italian Seasoning Blend : I used store brought mix but you can use equal part dried basil, parsley, rosemary, oregano and thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt
- Optional : freshly grated Parmesan Cheese or Nutritional Yeast, Red pepper flakes
How to Make Oil for Bread Dipping?
Start off by pouring the olive oil on the serving dish.
Add minced garlic, Italian Seasoning. Then add some freshly ground salt and pepper. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar. Add cheese ( if using )
Using a piece of bread, swirl and mix everything well. Try a press it down a little so garlic is mashed up.
Wait for few minutes ( if possible) so the flavors develop. Dip the bread slices and enjoy ! Bon Appetite
This garlic herb oil dip is so delightful, you can use it to perk up lots of different meals.
- Besides crusty baguette, serve it as a dipping oil veggies or cheese rolls
- Drizzle it on grilled meats and veggies
- Use it as sandwich spread or tortilla wraps
- As a salad dressing
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this Italian bread dipping oil as a light appetizer on the table before the big meal. It helps the conversation flow nicely for a classy dinner party.
Serve this Garlic & Herb Olive Oil Bread Dip with a crusty baguette or the crostini. It is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
This bread dip is a great option for such a light appetizer, served alongside other favorites like Pan Con Tomate, Olive Tapenade, Mango Peach Salsa or Greek Tzatziki Sauce.
Tips For Making The Best Olive Oil Bread Dip
- Since there are only 6 ingredients involved, choose the freshest ingredients for all except balsamic vinegar ( which tastes best aged) It makes the whole lot of difference in taste.
- You can make this in a mason jar, shake it up, and use it later. But since we are using fresh garlic, don't store it for too long.
- If fresh raw garlic isn't your thing, you can simmer the garlic cloves in olive oil for 10 minutes and use the garlic infused olive oil.
- You can also roast the garlic in the oven and use the pulp.
- To keep this recipe dairy free and allergy friendly, I am not including parmesan cheese but you certainly can use it as an additional ingredient.
What is the best oil to use for dipping bread?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the purest and perfect oil to use for dipping and drizzling. It is delicately flavored and has fruity notes of olives that make the solid base for dipping oil. Choose the freshest batch. I prefer to buy a small batch EVOO for the dip.
Our Favorite Italian Recipes
- Pasta Fresca - Pasta in Balsamic Vinegar sauce
- Penne Rosa - Pasta in Creamy Tomato Sauce
- Restaurant Style Risotto - Creamy earthy and comforting
- Penne Pesto Primavera - Full of veggies and earthy pesto sauce.
- Creamy Lemon Basil Pasta - light and refreshing pasta
Recipe FAQs
Yes. However, if you are using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs, add two times extra. The dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor. So to make up the exact flavor, you will need a little extra of the fresh herbs.
This dip works beautifully as a marinade or salad dressing. Instead of making it on the serving plate, whisk all the ingredients in the mason jar. Also, if you want to use it for an extended period of time, simply leave out the fresh garlic and just add that when you are ready to use it.
Dipping oil for bread has a cornucopia of flavors . It is earthy, herby, garlicky with a slight tingling of spicy and salty. It is a fiesta to the taste buds.
If you make this Bread Dipping Oil Recipe, do let us know how you like it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Bread Dipping Oil
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper - freshly ground preferred per taste
Optional Ingredient
- 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Start off by pouring the olive oil on the serving dish. Add minced garlic, Italian Seasoning. Add some freshly ground salt and pepper. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar. Add cheese if using.
- Using a piece of bread, swirl and mix everything well. Try a press it down a little so garlic is mashed up.
- Wait for few minutes ( if possible) so the flavors develop. Dip the bread and enjoy ! Bon Appetite
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 31, 2021. It was revised with new photos and FAQ s on January 2nd, 2024.
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