Get ready to wow your guests with an incredibly simple yet absolutely delicious Holiday appetizer recipe that will steal the show! This Holiday Olive Oil Bread Dip can be prepared in just 5 minutes, making it the perfect last-minute addition to your festivities.
The process is incredibly easy and requires no specialized cooking skills—just a shallow plate or bowl for mixing. There’s no need for heating or complicated appliances, so you can focus on enjoying your guests’ company instead of hours in the kitchen. This dip can be enjoyed as an appetizer with crusty bread or paired with your favorite pasta dish. It instantly transports you to your favorite Italian restaurant without ever stepping outside. It’s perfect for potlucks, game days, or festive gatherings.
I love serving vibrant and loaded dipping olive oil for bread when entertaining! Not only is it incredibly easy, but it also looks stunning and colorful. Seriously, who can resist dipping warm, fresh bread into something so delicious? Your guests will flock around the bowl, returning for seconds and thirds!
This loaded Holiday bread dipping olive oil is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and takes minimal preparation time. This version packs a festive punch with pomegranate, dates, pistachios, rosemary, and sage—all you have to do is combine these gorgeous ingredients with olive oil and serve them alongside soft, warm bread.
Feel free to get creative and tailor it to what you have on hand! Aim for a delightful mix of colors and textures during the holiday season to keep things visually exciting. Not a fan of pistachios? Swap them for some crunchy pumpkin seeds! Are you catering to vegans? Just omit the parmesan, and you’re good to go! Don’t have fresh herbs, feel free to use dried herbs.
And guess what? Any leftovers are fantastic slathered on whipped feta dip, stirred into creamy hummus, tossed into salads, or dolloped onto fresh salads!
Best of all, you can make it ahead of time, making it one of the best appetizers for the holiday season! Add it to your Thanksgiving Christmas spread with sliced bread, and watch your guests devour it! I recommend making a double or even triple batch. Share your favorite ways to use this dip in the comments, and enjoy the deliciousness!
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: The main ingredient of any olive oil dip is the quality of the oil used. Opting for high-quality extra virgin olive oil will enhance the overall flavor and experience of the dip.
- Dates: For added sweetness, consider substituting dates with dried cranberries, apricots, figs, or prunes, which can provide a similarly delightful taste.
- Pistachios: Incorporating pistachios adds a satisfying crunch to the dip, contributing texture and flavor.
- Parmesan: Parmesan cheese is crucial for a holiday olive oil bread dip. Avoid canned varieties, which typically do not require refrigeration. Instead, look for high-quality Parmesan cheese in blocks, as it will offer superior texture and taste when grated fresh. For those following a vegan diet, the cheese can be omitted, and vegetarian Parmesan options can also be found in stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts.
- Fresh Herbs: Using fresh herbs enhances the dip’s flavor and adds a pop of color. A combination of flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, oregano, and sage works well, but explore other options like basil, mint, or thyme. Dried herbs can also be used as an alternative.
- Garlic: This recipe typically uses two cloves of garlic, but the amount can be adjusted based on personal preference for garlic intensity.
- Orange Zest: This ingredient adds a festive touch to the dip. However, if you do not like the orange flavor, you can omit it.
- Balsamic Vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar elevates the oil with a note of acidity. An aged balsamic vinegar is particularly recommended for this recipe. Specialty dark and thick vinegar also works well, while regular apple cider or vinegar should be avoided. If balsamic isn’t preferred, a squeeze of lemon juice is a suitable alternative.
- Pomegranate: Adding pomegranate introduces vibrant color and a fresh taste to the dip.
- Salt and Pepper: A dash of salt and pepper enhances the flavor profile.
- Bread: An essential component of any olive oil dip, a suitable bread such as focaccia, French baguette, ciabatta, sourdough, or crunchy crostini is required to enjoy the dip fully.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Pour olive oil into a small serving bowl or plate. Add the remaining ingredients one by one, mixing everything well.
Serve with warm, crusty bread. Enjoy!
Top tip
Ensure fresh herbs, dates, and pistachios are diced into tiny pieces. This way, you’ll be able to taste all the different flavors with every bite! Also, if they’re in large chunks, they will be harder to use as dipping oil
Add more olive oil if you need to want to.
Don’t use a jar of minced garlic. Use fresh cloves and mince them at home. It makes a difference.
Shred your own Parmesan cheese.
Use the best quality EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) for the recipe.
Feel free to adjust any of the spices and herbs to your liking. You can easily play around with this recipe. You will never go wrong.
Make a little extra and use it as a salad dressing! Yep, I’m not kidding. It’s so good with a crunchy salad and vegetables and made with lemon juice.
FAQ
Dip chunks of focaccia, crostini, or slices of a French baguette
Brush it on toasted sourdough.
Spread it on your fav sandwich bread as a lovely light condiment.
Use it in salad or slaw as a dressing.
Toss it with pasta, Grilled veggies, or potatoes.
You sure can! Mix it up and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours ahead of time. Let it come to room temperature before serving so the flavors are at their best.
The oil will last at least a week and be stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
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Holiday Olive Oil Bread Dip
Ingredients
- ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Fresh sage finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano finely chopped
- 2 teaspoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 date finely chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoon pistachios finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic grated
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate arils
Instructions
- Pour olive oil into a small serving bowl or plate.
- Add all the remaining ingredients one by one. Mix everything well.
- Serve with warm, crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure fresh herbs, dates, and pistachios are diced into tiny pieces. This way, you’ll be able to taste all the different flavors with every bite! Also, if they’re in large chunks, they will be harder to use as dipping oil.
- Please add more olive oil if you’d like to.
- Don’t use a jar of minced garlic. Use fresh cloves and mince them at home. It makes a difference.
- Shred your own Parmesan cheese.
- Use the best quality EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) for the recipe.
- Feel free to adjust any of the spices and herbs to your liking. You can easily play around with this recipe. You will never go wrong.
- Make a little extra and use it as a salad dressing! Yep, I’m not kidding. It’s so good with a crunchy salad and vegetables and made with lemon juice.
Nutrition
Warm Regards,
Dhwani.
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