Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
This Olive Cheese Bread Recipe is warm, cheesy, buttery, and packed with savory olive flavor. It turns simple bread into a delicious side dish or snack. The melted cheese creates a golden top, while chopped olives add a salty bite.
Ingredients
- 1 large French bread loaf
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup pitted green olives chopped
- ¼ cup pitted black olives chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Prepare the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup easier and prevents the bread from sticking while baking.
Prepare the Bread
- Place the French bread on a cutting board. Slice it lengthwise into two equal halves. Keep the loaf together as much as possible so the topping stays secure.
Chop the Olives
- Drain the olives thoroughly before chopping them. Cut both green and black olives into small pieces. Smaller pieces spread more evenly and give every bite a balanced salty flavor.
Make the Butter Mixture
- Add softened butter, mayonnaise, minced garlic, parsley, chives, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt to a mixing bowl. Stir everything until smooth and evenly combined.
Add the Olives
- Fold the chopped green and black olives into the butter mixture. Stir gently until the olives are evenly distributed without breaking them into a paste.
Spread the Mixture
- Place the bread halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the olive mixture evenly across the entire surface, reaching close to the edges.
Add the Cheese
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the olive mixture. Cover the bread generously, but avoid creating an overly thick layer that could become difficult to slice.
Bake the Bread
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges become crisp and golden.
Broil for Extra Color
- For a more golden cheese topping, broil the bread for one to two minutes. Watch carefully because cheese can brown quickly under the broiler.
Slice and Serve
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for two minutes. Slice it into pieces using a sharp knife. Serve warm while the cheese remains soft and melted.
Notes
- Choose a sturdy French or Italian loaf.
- Drain olives well before chopping.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
- Soften butter before mixing.
- Spread the topping evenly.
- Do not overload the bread with olives.
- Watch carefully during broiling.
- Add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Try Monterey Jack instead of cheddar.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Use fresh basil instead of parsley.
- Add a little grated Parmesan on top.
- Try roasted garlic for a sweeter flavor.