Olive Cheese Bread Recipe

If you’ve never experienced the magic of Olive Cheese Bread, get ready to meet your new favorite obsession. Imagine soft, golden French bread slathered with a creamy, tangy, and savory filling absolutely bursting with briny green and black olives, fresh green onions, and melty Monterey Jack cheese. A touch of butter and sour cream makes every bite lush and decadent, while that precious time in the oven pulls it all together into the ultimate party appetizer or weeknight comfort food. Olive Cheese Bread is a serious crowd-pleaser that pulls big flavors from pantry staples and turns them into something totally irresistible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Olive Cheese Bread starts with its straightforward lineup of ingredients—each one doing some heavy lifting for taste or texture. You won’t need any fancy items, but you will want to make sure they’re the good stuff, because every component truly shines here.

• Full fat sour cream: Gives the filling a tangy richness that leaves every slice perfectly gooey and creamy.
• Softened butter: The butter adds luxurious silkiness and ensures the spread bakes up beautifully golden.
• Green olives (drained and sliced): Bring a salty, tart brightness that balances out the richness.
• Black olives (drained and sliced): They give a mild, earthy brininess and gorgeous color contrast.
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Melts into a stringy, dreamy cheese pull situation with a gentle, creamy flavor.
• Thinly sliced green onions: Add a little bite and just the right pop of freshness throughout.
• Garlic powder: For a subtle garlicky warmth that quietly elevates everything.
• French bread (8-10 oz. loaf): Look for a crusty loaf that will hold the topping and get perfectly toasted.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch to tie all the flavors together.
• Fresh cracked pepper: Adds a touch of spice and rounds out the flavors.

How to Make Olive Cheese Bread

Step 1: Mix the Creamy Base

Start by grabbing a medium bowl and tossing in the full fat sour cream, softened butter, garlic powder, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Stir everything together until it’s mostly smooth. This mixture is the secret behind that creamy, dreamy texture Olive Cheese Bread fans love—don’t rush this part!

Step 2: Add Cheese and Onions

Once your creamy base looks gorgeously blended, fold in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and those vibrant green onions. Stir until the mixture is well combined—those pops of cheese and onion should be evenly distributed, setting you up for perfect bites every time.

Step 3: Fold in the Olives

Now for the show-stopper moment: fold in the green and black olives. Their juicy, briny flavor is what makes this Olive Cheese Bread truly unforgettable. Stir gently—it’s okay if the filling looks a little chunky, that just means every bite will be full of good stuff!

Step 4: Prep the Bread

Take your French bread and slice it in half widthwise, then split each piece lengthwise so you end up with four quarters. This shape maximizes surface area for that delicious topping to cling to, making each slice more exciting for your tastebuds.

Step 5: Top and Bake

Pile the olive-cheese mixture evenly over the cut side of each bread quarter, spreading all the way to the edges. Arrange the pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for melted cheese and edges just starting to turn golden brown—it’s almost there!

Step 6: Broil for the Finish

Switch to broil for 1-2 minutes (keep a close eye!) so the top gets dark golden and extra bubbly. This quick blast crisps the cheesy topping to perfection, so you get a satisfying crunch with every mouthful of Olive Cheese Bread.

How to Serve Olive Cheese Bread

Garnishes

A final touch of fresh parsley adds color and a hint of herbal freshness to your Olive Cheese Bread—just sprinkle chopped leaves over the hot bread right before serving. If you love a little heat, a few red pepper flakes or even a whisper of grated Parmesan can send it over the top.

Side Dishes

Olive Cheese Bread is wonderful on its own, but it pairs beautifully with crisp salads, hot tomato soup, or a platter of roasted veggies. For game day spreads or dinner parties, serve alongside marinated artichokes, stuffed peppers, or even a charcuterie board for an appetizer feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party-friendly twist, slice Olive Cheese Bread into bite-sized fingers and artfully stack them on a rustic board. You can also use mini baguettes for adorable individual servings, or cut the finished bread into triangles for a fun, unexpected look. However you present it, just know it’ll disappear fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any slices left—which is a big “if”—store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors will continue to mingle and deepen, making next-day snacks just as delightful.

Freezing

Freezing Olive Cheese Bread is delightfully easy. Just wrap the unbaked bread topped with the olive mixture in foil and freeze for up to two months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time. It’s the ultimate emergency snack trick!

Reheating

To bring leftover Olive Cheese Bread back to life, toast slices in a hot oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees until warmed through and crisped up on the edges—usually about 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread soggy instead of irresistibly crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While Monterey Jack melts beautifully and has a creamy flavor, feel free to try mozzarella for extra stretch, cheddar for more sharpness, or a blend of both. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts well for the best Olive Cheese Bread experience.

What kind of olives work best?

Classic green and black olives are traditional, but you can experiment with Kalamata or Castelvetrano olives for bolder flavors. Be sure to drain and slice whatever variety you choose, so your bread stays crisp and not soggy.

Can I make Olive Cheese Bread ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble everything up to the baking step, then cover and refrigerate for up to a day. When you’re ready to cook, just pop it in the oven as directed. It’s a fantastic make-ahead appetizer or side for busy hosts.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, Olive Cheese Bread is completely vegetarian as written. Just double-check your cheese to ensure it’s made without animal rennet if that’s important to you or your guests.

How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?

For the crispiest results, use a fresh, sturdy loaf of French bread, don’t overload it with the filling, and bake on a rack or preheated baking sheet so air can circulate underneath. Finishing under the broiler guarantees a golden, crisp top every time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a recipe that brings friends and family around the table with mouthwatering anticipation, Olive Cheese Bread is it. It’s easy, full of flavor, and utterly comforting. Gather your ingredients and treat yourself to the magic of this cheesy, olive-packed delight—you’ll want to make it again and again!

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