Parmesan Spice Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
Parmesan Spice Olive Oil Dipping Sauce is an easy-to-make dip that tastes delicious with any bread. Serve this easy oil dipping sauce recipe as an appetizer or alongside your favorite meal.
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This Olive Oil Parmesan Spice Dipping Sauce is something I’ve been making since the early 2000’s. (Saying that automatically makes me feel o-l-d.) It came about when I studied abroad in Italy, though I’d had it before at Italian restaurants.
You know that dip, right? The one that the waiter makes tableside, and it feels so fancy because he’s pouring olive oil over herbs, and it smells, looks and tastes delicious.
When I lived in Italy during the summer of 2006, I quickly discovered that Tuscan bakers don’t salt their bread. Which means the bread tastes like nothing. So instead of avoiding the bread, my classmates and I made variations of this dipping sauce every night before our first course was served.
Everyone had their own rendition of what they liked. I found that I gravitated toward adding a lot of parmesan, salt and pepper to my olive oil before drenching my bread in the mix.
When my summer abroad was over, I brought back this dip to the States. I’ve been making it ever since, even though the bread I get here is significantly better than the Italian bread I ate there. (Who’d have thought?)
Why I love this recipe:
Recipes like this simple Olive Oil Bread Dip are fun because they are guidelines, but not necessarily set in stone. You can tinker with them all you like to find the combination that works best for you and your tastebuds.
This recipe is my personal favorite, and it combines high quality olive oil with parmesan cheese and a mixture of herbs and spices.
Pair it with your favorite bread (toasted or warm, please and thank you) and a glass of wine, and you are off to an excellent start for whatever occasion you’re celebrating, be it a simple dinner or something more.
This dip always transports me to my favorite Italian restaurant and also reminds me of the months I spent in Tuscany.
More easy dips to make: Whipped Feta Dip | Pepperoni Dip | Hot Crawfish Dip | Buffalo Chicken Dip | Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Box grater or cheese shredder
- Medium bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- Pepper mill
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here are the simple ingredients you need to get from the grocery store:
- Extra virgin olive oil — now is the time to use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor because you’ll definitely taste it. I like this Graza Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, but you can use whatever you’ve got at home. Do not replace with an oil blend or a lower quality oil, like vegetable oil.
- Parmesan cheese — use real parmigiano reggiano, please and thank you. I prefer grated to shredded, but either way should work in this dip.
- Herbs de provence — this dried herbs and spice blend usually includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, marjoram, oregano and bay leaf, though there are certainly variations between companies that make and bottle this mixture. This is a French seasoning blend and it is not the same thing as Italian seasoning.
- Black pepper — use a pepper to grind this goodness fresh. I like to make the grind a little more coarse so that the bites of pepper stand out.
- Red pepper flakes — these add a little pop of heat with every bite! If you’re concerned about it being too spicy, add just a sprinkle.
- Kosher salt — for just a hint of saltiness. Since the parmesan is already pretty salty, we do not need a lot. Medium grain kosher salt is my go-to, and Diamond Crystal is my favorite brand. Do not use table salt, as that is saltier than kosher.
- Bread —use whatever bread you’ve got on hand for dipping. I personally love a French baguette, but this is fabulous with ciabatta bread, fresh focaccia or really any loaf of fresh bread.
Ingredient notes and variations:
Some might wonder why we aren’t using fresh herbs for this recipe, and I’ll tell you why: I like the dried herbs used here and have always made it this way because I always have those on hand. (My patio herb garden is a gift, but it does not give year-round.)
However, if you’d like to make your own blend of herbs to use in this dip, feel free. Fresh rosemary, fresh basil, fresh thyme and fresh oregano would add lovely bright pops.
You can also add freshly minced garlic to this easy bread dip if you like that flavor. (Add a sprinkling of onion powder or garlic powder if you don’t like it as potent.)
Add a drizzle of good-quality balsamic vinegar for an acidic pop. You could also use a squeeze of lemon juice, too.
How to make Parmesan Spice Olive Oil Dipping Sauce for Bread
If you haven’t already, shred the parmesan cheese.
Pour the olive oil into a serving bowl. You could also do this in a small liquid measuring cup, as shown in the pictures.
Measure in the shredded cheese and seasonings. Give them a stir with a whisk or a rubber spatula until combined.
Serve at room temperature with slices of your favorite bread.
How to store:
Store leftover dipping oil in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before serving again with warm bread.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
In college, I made versions of this simple olive oil dip every time my roommate and I hosted friends for dinner. It was and is the best starter.
If I were hosting people and planning to serve this easy appetizer today, here are a few things I would do:
- Double or triple the recipe. It’s pretty easy to do and easier to throw together if you need more, but I like having a few serving bowls around so guests can graze while we make dinner.
- Serve with toasted bread. Whether you’re baking it fresh or getting something from the local bakery, placing the bread in the oven for a few minutes to toast up before slicing and serving is an awesome idea.
- Make stations. Offer a few serving bowls of this so that your guests don’t have to crowd around a single bowl. (Do this if you’re having several people over.)
Quick tips and tricks for the best oil bread dip:
- Use good olive oil. I cannot stress this enough because the oil is the base of this dip and you will taste it.
- Make your own variation after your first time making this dip. Add raw garlic (or roasted garlic) for some punch, if you’re into that. Add lemon zest for an acidic pop. Sprinkle in other fresh or dried herbs that you have.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Let come to room temperature before serving again.
Here’s how you can make this olive oil bread dip recipe at home:
Olive Oil Parmesan Spice Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated or shredded
- ¾ teaspoon Herbs de Provence
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
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Instructions
- Shred the parmesan cheese.
- Combine the cheese, olive oil, and seasonings in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until combined.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toasted or warmed bread.
Video
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
I can almost smell this, between the fresh baked puffs and fragrant dip. Yum !!!