If you’re searching for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a side dish that always gets devoured, Olive Cheese Bread is a truly irresistible choice. With its golden, bubbly cheese topping, savory olives, and crunchy French bread, this recipe turns simple ingredients into pure comfort with every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Savory and Cheesy Perfection: Every slice is loaded with melted Monterey Jack cheese, briny olives, and savory goodness—truly the best of all worlds.
- Fuss-Free Entertaining: Olive Cheese Bread is my go-to for parties because it comes together in minutes and never fails to impress a hungry crowd.
- Customizable Flavor: Tweak the cheeses, try different olives, or add spicy touches—this recipe is amazing for adaptable flavor adventures.
- Crowd-Pleaser Every Time: Serve it as a side, a game-day snack, or the centerpiece of an appetizer platter—people can’t stop coming back for seconds!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Olive Cheese Bread requires just a handful of staples, but each one brings unbeatable texture or big flavor. It’s that irresistible harmony of creamy, tangy, salty, and crunchy that keeps everyone raving and reaching for another piece!
- French Bread: Choose a classic baguette or loaf—its crisp crust and airy inside perfectly cradle all the cheesy, olive-rich goodness.
- Spanish Queen Pimento Stuffed Olives: These add savory brininess and a little pop of color; chopping them roughly ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
- Black Olives (drained): Mellow and slightly earthy, they perfectly balance the sharpness of the green olives and cheese.
- Green Onions (scallions): Thin slices offer a hint of freshness and mild onion zip that brighten up the entire bread.
- Butter, Room Temperature: Softened butter is the backbone of the creamy spread—let it come to room temp for the easiest mixing.
- Mayonnaise: Sounds unexpected, but mayo makes the topping ultra creamy and helps it brown beautifully in the oven.
- Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated: Its meltability and delicate tang are the ultimate finish—buy a block and grate it yourself for best melt and flavor.
Variations
One of the best things about Olive Cheese Bread is just how easily it adapts to your mood or pantry staples. Go ahead—swap cheeses, experiment with olives, or sneak in something bold for a new spin every single time!
- Spicy Kick: Add chopped pickled jalapeños or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to give your bread a zesty, spicy twist.
- Different Cheeses: Try mozzarella for gooeyness, pepper jack for heat, or a sprinkle of sharp cheddar for extra flavor depth.
- Bread Options: Use ciabatta, sourdough, or a rustic Italian loaf in place of French bread—you honestly can’t go wrong with sturdy, crusty bread.
- Herb Boost: Mix in fresh chopped parsley, basil, or chives for an herbaceous burst of color and flavor.
How to Make Olive Cheese Bread
Step 1: Prep the Olives and Onions
Roughly chop the Spanish queen pimento-stuffed olives and the black olives, aiming for olive pieces that will nestle perfectly into your cheesy spread. Next, slice the green onions into thin rounds—these little flecks will cover every slice with their fresh, mild flavor.
Step 2: Mix the Cheesy Spread
In a large mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, mayonnaise, grated Monterey Jack cheese, chopped olives, and sliced green onions. Stir them all together until every ingredient is thoroughly combined and coated—no dry patches, no big clumps, just pure, creamy deliciousness waiting to happen!
Step 3: Build Your Olive Cheese Bread
Slice your loaf of French bread lengthwise so you have two long halves. Lay both halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Take your luscious cheese-olive mixture and spread it generously and evenly across both bread halves, making sure to go right to the edges for that “every bite is the best bite” experience!
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Slide your baking sheet into a 325ºF oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and just starting to develop gorgeous golden brown spots. Let it cool for a minute or two, then slice, serve, and try to resist eating it all yourself!
Pro Tips for Making Olive Cheese Bread
- Best Bread Texture: Day-old or slightly stale French bread works wonders—it’s sturdy enough to hold the cheesy topping without going soggy.
- Hand-Grated Cheese: Skip the bagged shreds and grate your own Monterey Jack; it melts silkier and delivers deeper, creamier flavor in every bite.
- Spread Evenly, Generously: Don’t skimp on the filling—make sure each inch of bread gets a thick, even layer for the ultimate gooey, rich experience.
- Watch for the Bubbling Cue: The bread is at its best when the cheese is fully melted and the edges are crisp but not scorched—keep a close eye in those final minutes!
How to Serve Olive Cheese Bread
Garnishes
Fresh herbs make Olive Cheese Bread feel extra-special. A sprinkle of parsley or chives adds color and an aromatic finish, while a sprinkle of cracked black pepper gives each slice a little burst of zing. For a touch of visual drama, reserve a few chopped olives and scatter them over the top just before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair your Olive Cheese Bread with a crisp green salad, a hearty bowl of tomato soup, or alongside your favorite pasta dinner. It also disappears shockingly fast next to grilled meats at a backyard barbecue or as part of a big game-day spread with dips, veggies, and snacks.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice Olive Cheese Bread into small sticks or cubes and serve with toothpicks as cheerful party bites. If you’re feeling dramatic, load up a serving platter, garnish boldly, and let the melted cheese pull tempt everyone at the table. Or pop triangles into a bread basket and let people tear off their own rustic portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (it’s rare!), wrap cooled slices tightly in foil or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The bread holds up beautifully and the flavors deepen as they meld together overnight.
Freezing
You can freeze assembled, unbaked Olive Cheese Bread! Wrap the prepared, topped bread halves in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw—just pop it straight into the oven from frozen and add an extra 5-8 minutes bake time.
Reheating
To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350ºF oven until hot and bubbly again. The bread toasts up wonderfully, restoring that irresistible crunch and gooey cheese magic. (Microwaving is fine for a softer texture, but the oven is truly worth it!)
FAQs
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Can I make Olive Cheese Bread ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the bread and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just bake right before serving for the best melty results.
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What other cheeses can I use if I don’t have Monterey Jack?
Great question! Mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, or even pepper jack are fantastic swaps—or use a blend to create your own melty masterpiece.
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Is Olive Cheese Bread spicy?
Nope—not unless you add spicy ingredients! As written, the recipe is rich and savory but mild. To kick up the spice, feel free to add jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
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Can I make this bread gluten-free?
Of course! Simply use your favorite gluten-free baguette or rustic loaf—everything else in Olive Cheese Bread is naturally gluten-free and deliciously melty.
Final Thoughts
Pulling fresh Olive Cheese Bread out of the oven is always a treat—its rich aroma, gooey cheese, and salty olives guarantee happy, satisfied smiles at every gathering. Give this recipe a whirl, and I promise, it’ll quickly become your new signature snack or side. Enjoy every warm, melty bite!
Print
Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
Description
This Olive Cheese Bread is a deliciously cheesy and savory appetizer that is perfect for any gathering. The combination of olives, green onions, and gooey cheese on crispy French bread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French Bread
- About 25 Spanish Queen Pimento Stuffed Olives
- 6-ounce can of Black Olives, drained
- 2 stalks Green Onions (scallions)
- 1 stick Butter, Room Temperature
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 3 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated
Instructions
- Roughly chop olives and green onions: Chop both black olives and pimiento-stuffed olives. Slice green onions thinly.
- Combine ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine butter, mayonnaise, cheese, olives, and green onions. Mix until well combined.
- Spread mixture on bread: Spread the mixture thickly onto the sliced French bread.
- Bake: Bake at 325ºF for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
