Get ready to elevate your bread game with the absolute best Olive Cheese Bread you’ll ever taste! Packed with flavor and cheesy goodness, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. Just imagine thick, crusty French bread loaded with a flavorful mix of olives, onions, pimientos, garlic, and, of course, heaps of gooey cheese.
This easy bread is a breeze to whip up and it’s downright irresistible. Whether you pair it with soup, pasta, or salad, or savor it all on its own, it’s guaranteed to be a showstopper at any meal!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Olive Cheese Bread
If you know us, you know that the only thing we love more than a good bread recipe is one that’s simple, quick, and easy to make! Luckily, this olive cheese bread recipe ticks all the boxes. Not only is it tasty, but it’s also:
- Loaded with veggies and dripping with cheese.
- Perfect for making ahead of time.
- Great for feeding a crowd.
- The best side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
By no means is this olive bread recipe light, but it is definitely delicious and totally worth indulging in! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Bread – We like French bread the best, but any thick crusty bread will work fine.
- Garlic – Fresh roasted garlic is key to creating out-of-this-world flavor.
- Olive Oil – Used to caramelize the garlic, creating a sweet and savory taste.
- Butter – Spread on top of the bread, butter creates a super rich bread no one can resist.
- Veggies – Pimientos and green onions add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that balances out the heaviness of the fats from the butter, olives, and cheese. If you want, you can also add diced jalapeños for a bit of a kick!
- Olives – We use green and Kalamata olives, but any varieties you like best can be used.
- Cheese – We adore Trader Joe’s Tuscan Mozzarella cheese! Or, Monterey Jack tastes great, too if you prefer a bit of spice.
- Mayonnaise – Our secret weapon, mayonnaise creates an extra rich and decadent flavor and locks in moisture for tender, gooey bread with a crisp, crunchy exterior.
How to Make the Best Olive Cheese Bread
One bite of this olive cheese bread and you’ll never go back to pre-made or store-bought bread options again!
- Roast the Garlic. Peel the outer layers off the whole head of garlic, making sure to leave the cloves intact. Then, use a sharp knife to cut off the top 1/4 of the head to expose the cloves beneath. Drizzle olive oil on top, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the garlic with aluminum foil, and bake in the oven for 40 minutes before setting it aside to cool.
- Create the Topping. Once cool enough to handle, squeeze the garlic cloves into a large mixing bowl followed by the butter, olives, pimentos, mayo, cheese, green onions, and jalapeños, if using. Stir until they are well combined.
- Bake the Bread. Spread the mixture onto sliced French bread. Place it in the oven to bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Then, slice into 1-inch pieces, and enjoy!
Storage Options
We love a good time-saving make-ahead recipe, and this olive cheese bread is just that! Wrap leftovers in
Serving Suggestions
Honestly, it’s so tempting to devour this olive cheese bread straight out of the oven! But it’s even better when paired with your favorite dishes. If you’ve got the willpower to wait before diving into this lovely loaf of deliciousness, it pairs amazingly with all your favorite meals like:
- One Pot Spicy Rigatoni
- One Pan Alfredo Pasta
- Crispy Rice Bowl SweetGreen Copycat
- Roasted Red Pepper and Cauliflower Soup
- Roasted Tomato Soup
Common Questions About Olive Cheese Bread
A sturdy French or Italian bread works perfectly as a base — you want something that can hold up to all those rich toppings without getting soggy! Sourdough also adds an amazing extra layer of flavor.
The key is draining and patting your olives really dry before mixing them with the cheese spread – this keeps excess moisture from making your bread go limp.
You can prepare the cheese and olive mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge – when you’re ready to serve, just spread it on bread and pop it in the oven!
This bread pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or a bowl of tomato soup — it’s also fantastic alongside grilled meats or as part of an antipasto spread.
More Savory Bread Recipes
Whether you’re serving a crowd or cooking a cozy dinner for the family, you won’t want to miss out on more of our favorite savory bread recipes!
- Easy Focaccia Recipe with Tomatoes
- Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Pull Apart Bread)
- Homemade Garlic Bread with Spinach and Artichokes
- No Knead Cheesy Focaccia Bread
The Best Olive Cheese Bread
Ingredients
- 2 heads garlic
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 stick unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup sliced green olives
- 1/2 cup sliced Kalamata black olives
- 4 ounces chopped pimientos
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 8 ounces Trader Joe's Tuscan Mozzarella Cheese grated (or substitute with Monterey jack cheese)
- 3 stalks green onions scallions
- 1 loaf French bread, halved
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Peel the outer layers of the whole head of garlic, making sure to leave the garlic cloves intact.2 heads garlic
- Using a sharp knife, cut the top 1/4 off the head of garlic to expose the cloves beneath. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes. Set aside to cool.2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Once the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the cloves into a large mixing bowl. Add the room-temperature butter, green and black olives, pimientos, mayo, cheese, and green onions. Mix to combine. *Option to add jalapeño for a kick!1 stick unsalted butter, 1/2 cup sliced green olives, 1/2 cup sliced Kalamata black olives, 4 ounces chopped pimientos, 8 ounces Trader Joe's Tuscan Mozzarella Cheese, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 3 stalks green onions
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Spread the olive mixture onto the sliced French bread.1 loaf French bread, halved
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden and bubbly! Slice into 1-inch pieces, and serve warm.
- Store in a sealable bag at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love this bread! It is delicious!
Thank you so much, Gigi!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I would love it if the recipes had nutritional info provided.
This looks awesome btw & would love to try itโฆ
Hi Lorraine! The nutritional information is provided at the bottom of every recipe card. ๐ We hope you give it a try!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I have tried The Pioneer Woman recipe but I think I’ll like yours better. The added garlic and pimentos will really jazz it up.
How much mayo? Not listed
It’s 1/4th cup!
Absolutely delicious! I don’t live close to a Trader Joe’s, so I used some sharp cheddar with the mozzarella. Also just buttered the bread instead of mixing a stick of butter with toppings. I did use some Tamed jalapenos from Mezzetta. Will definitely make again during upcoming Christmas season maybe as an appetizer. Loved it!
Yay! We are so glad you loved it! Love the modifications as well!
Why mayo?
You can’t tell that it has mayo but it gives it the perfect richness!
How much mayo? Not listed
It has 1/4 cup mayo, it’s listed as mayonnaise!
Thank you for some reason it’s not showing on my list
Thank you for some reason it’s not showing on my list of ingredients
delicious bread with a salty bite. loved it !! quite easy as well . i used pimento stuffed green olives
Love the use of pimiento stuffed olives!