This restaurant-style bread dipping oil comes together in minutes with fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Serve it with crusty French bread, focaccia, ciabatta, or sliced baguette and you've officially brought the ambiance of an authentic Italian dining experience into your very own home.
The last time I served this bread dipping oil was for a large party. I placed it on a bread board with a mix of toasted baguette slices and rosemary focaccia, along with other dips and spreads like rosemary garlic butter, creamy pesto, and a store-bought marinara spruced up with roasted garlic. The board made for an impressive appetizer, but honestly, this dipping oil is impressive on its own, next to a loaf of toasty focaccia.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Bread Dipping Oil
- Olive Oil | This is a great time to splurge on a quality extra-virgin olive oil. Since it's the base of the recipe and isn't being cooked, the flavor really shines through. Look for one with a smooth, fruity flavor and avoid anything intensely peppery or bitter.
- Parmesan Cheese | Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, savory flavor to the dipping oil.
- Fresh Garlic | A bit of finely minced fresh garlic goes a long way in a bread dipping oil, bringing the seasonings, herbs, and flavors together.
- Seasoning | Rather than pulling multiple herbs off the spice rack, a simple blend of Italian seasoning keeps this recipe streamlined. Italian seasoning combines herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, adding an aromatic, earthy flavor to the bread dipping oil. In addition to Italian seasoning, a mix of Kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper enhances the flavors and adds just the right amount of heat.
- Fresh Parsley (optional) | I've served this bread dipping oil both with or without fresh parsley, and it's delicious either way. I love the gorgeous pop of green color it adds, along with a subtle herbal brightness that balances the savory seasonings. But don't let the lack of fresh parsley stop you from making this recipe.
How to Make Bread Dipping Oil
Combine the Seasoning
In a small bowl, stir together the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley (if using), Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper.
Add Olive Oil
Pour the olive oil over the mixture and stir to combine.
Serve or Let Rest
Serve right away or set aside and let it rest for 15-30 minutes at room temperature to build flavor before serving. The mix of ingredients makes this bread dipping oil instantly delicious, but the resting period amps up the flavor. A little extra time in the olive oil allows the herbs to hydrate and the garlic and seasonings to infuse more flavor.
Serving Tip: Transfer to a small shallow bowl or small rimmed plate for serving. This will help the bread to pick up tasty bits of Parmesan, garlic, and herbs.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead | If you're making bread dipping oil in advance, combine Parmesan, garlic, parsley (if using), herbs, and seasonings, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the olive oil when you're ready to serve, or about 15-30 minutes beforehand to give the flavors time to develop.
Storage | Because of the fresh garlic, parsley, and parmesan, this recipe is not a shelf-stable dipping blend. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 4 days. If the olive oil solidifies in the refrigerator, set it out at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.
Freezing | Bread dipping oil can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, transfer to a freezer-safe, airtight container with about a ½ inch of headspace. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then allow it to come to room temperature before serving. Stir well to break up any Parmesan clumps.
Best Bread for Dipping Oil
Toasted focaccia is my top choice for bread dipping! Its airy interior soaks up flavorful oil, while the crisp, golden crust makes every bite that much better. It's a decadent, full-flavored choice for serving with dipping oil, but there are plenty more delicious options to choose from.
- Focaccia | Rich and flavorful with a soft, fluffy interior and golden, crisp crust. I like to cut this bread into small rectangles for easy dipping.
- Ciabatta | Chewy and airy on the inside with a rustic, crusty exterior. Its open crumb is perfect for capturing the delicious bits of Parmesan, garlic, and herbs in the bread dipping oil.
- Rustic Italian Bread | Another one of my favorites! Its crusty exterior and soft, airy interior make it ideal for soaking up flavorful olive oil.
- French Baguette | A soft, chewy interior with a crisp, golden crust. This is an especially easy serving option alongside bread dipping oil. It slices beautifully and holds up well for dipping.
We keep baguettes in the freezer year-round so they're often my go-to for serving! I slice up the baguette from the bakery, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe, gallon-sized zip-top bag, and remove as much air as possible before freezing. That way, I can easily pull out what I need, toast the slices, and serve them alongside bread dipping oil or some of our favorite party appetizers, like my cheesy spinach dip and pepperoni pizza dip!
And if you're in the mood for something buttery and garlicky, you'll love my homemade garlic bread recipe!
Bread Dipping Oil
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh garlic about 3 cloves
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian parsley (optional)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Pour in the olive oil and stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread, or allow the mixture to rest at room temperature for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
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