Olive Cheese Bread Recipe is one of those deliciously cheesy, savory treats that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Imagine the creamy, tangy sour cream and smooth butter melting into a blanket of Monterey Jack cheese, all studded with briny, flavorful green and black olives. Whether you're prepping a cozy snack for movie night, a savory starter for your next gathering, or a comforting weekend indulgence, this Olive Cheese Bread Recipe has got you covered. I love how it’s quick to put together, yet so satisfying — you’ll find it’s a crowd-pleaser everyone asks for again and again.
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What Makes This So Good
This Olive Cheese Bread Recipe brings together creamy, tangy, and salty flavors with a satisfying crispy texture that really hits the spot. The olives add that wonderful punch of briny brightness that balances the richness of sour cream and cheese — it's a flavor combo that wakes up your taste buds with every bite.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: You only need a handful of simple ingredients, and it comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love the cheesy, olive-studded goodness, perfect for parties or casual dinners.
- Simple Ingredients: Everyday staples like sour cream, butter, cheese, and olives make this recipe easy to pull off.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s a quick weeknight fix or a weekend treat, this bread hits the right note.
Ingredient Guide
Choosing the right ingredients really helps your Olive Cheese Bread Recipe shine. Small details like choosing creamy sour cream or picking the freshest bread do make a difference. And if you want to swap a few things, I’ll share some ideas to keep your bread irresistible.
- Full-fat sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess. Avoid low-fat — it changes the texture.
- Softened butter: For smooth mixing and rich flavor. Room temperature is key!
- Green and black olives: Use your favorite kind, just drain them well to avoid sogginess.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and has a mild, nutty flavor. You could try mozzarella for a stretchier result.
- Green onions: Thinly sliced for a fresh pop, but chives work well too.
- Garlic powder: Adds warmth and a subtle kick — don’t skip it!
- French bread loaf: Choose a fresh, crusty loaf with a soft interior for that perfect contrast.
- Kosher salt & fresh cracked pepper: Essential for seasoning!
Quick Reminder: Full measurements and detailed steps are in the recipe card below to make your Olive Cheese Bread Recipe foolproof.
How to Make Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and ready when your bread is assembled. Slice your French bread loaf in half widthwise, then cut each half in half lengthwise — this gives you four evenly sized pieces to work with. You’ll want to drain your olives thoroughly and slice them if they aren’t pre-sliced. This will make folding them into the cheese mixture seamless and keeps the bread from getting soggy later.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
In a bowl, mix your softened butter, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until mostly smooth. Then add shredded Monterey Jack cheese and green onions, stirring it all together until it’s well combined. Gently fold in the olives last so they stay nicely distributed but don’t break apart.
Spread the olive-cheese mixture evenly over all four cut sides of your bread pieces. Place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes — you’ll notice the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden layer and the edges start crisping up with a cozy aroma filling your kitchen.
For that irresistible golden-brown finish, switch your oven to broil and broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so the cheese achieves a deep golden crust without burning.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Once broiled and beautifully golden, let your Olive Cheese Bread rest for a few minutes — it thickens up slightly and becomes easier to slice. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm, maybe with some marinara sauce for dipping or a side salad, and enjoy the irresistible combination of crunchy bread and creamy, cheesy topping.
Extra Helpful Tips
I want you to feel completely confident making this Olive Cheese Bread Recipe. Small tweaks and quick tricks have helped me turn it into the easy, reliable recipe that keeps friends coming back for more.
- Watch for This Sign: When the cheese bubbles up and turns light golden around the edges, it’s close — don’t wait too long or it can dry out.
- Temperature Trick: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to get a creamy yet firm spread that holds together perfectly.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can mix the topping a few hours ahead and refrigerate it — just bring it back to room temp and give it a quick stir before spreading.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t overload the bread with too thick a layer of topping or the bread can get soggy instead of crisping up nicely.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Want to jazz up your Olive Cheese Bread Recipe? Try adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick or a handful of chopped fresh basil for a herbaceous note. A drizzle of good quality olive oil or a dusting of Parmesan cheese before baking takes it up a notch, too. The beauty of this recipe is how well it welcomes your personal touch.
Tasty Pairings
This bread pairs wonderfully with light sides like mixed greens with a lemon vinaigrette or a bowl of roasted tomato soup. For drinks, consider a crisp white wine, a refreshing iced tea, or even your favorite craft beer — they all complement the cheesy, olive-rich flavors perfectly.
Quick Plating Tips
Slice the bread into manageable pieces for sharing and arrange them on a bright platter with a handful of colorful garnishes like fresh parsley or thin lemon zest strips. Adding a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side makes the presentation inviting and easy for guests to dig right in.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
If you have leftovers, store your Olive Cheese Bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the crust may soften slightly. Just bring it back to room temperature before reheating for best results.
Freezer Friendly?
You can freeze this bread, but I recommend freezing it before baking or broiling. Wrap the assembled, unbaked bread tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to a month. To use, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed. This helps avoid sogginess and keeps that great crust texture.
Reheat Like New
For reheating, I find the oven or toaster oven works best — about 350°F for 8-10 minutes brings back that crispy crust and melty cheese magic without drying it out. If you’re in a hurry, microwave briefly but then crisp it up on a hot skillet or under the broiler for a minute to revive the texture.
Olive Cheese Bread Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Monterey Jack melts beautifully and has a mild flavor, but mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend can add interesting textures and tastes. Just use about the same amount by weight for best results.
Not at all — you can use all green, all black, or even mix in Kalamata or stuffed olives depending on your preference. Just be sure to drain them well to avoid soggy bread.
You can experiment with vegan cream cheese or sour cream alternatives and plant-based butter and cheese. Texture and flavor will vary, but it’s definitely possible to create a tasty vegan version with some adjustments.
Make sure olives are well-drained and avoid too thick a layer of the cheese mixture. Also, baking at the right temperature and finishing under the broiler helps crisp up the edges beautifully.
Final Flavor Thoughts
There you have it — a simple, scrumptious Olive Cheese Bread Recipe that shines with minimal effort and maximum flavor. If you loved this, I’d be thrilled if you left a star rating or shared your favorite twist in the comments. Next time, why not sneak in some sun-dried tomatoes or swap your cheese blend? Whatever you do, enjoy every melty, olive-studded bite!
Print📖 Recipe
Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
This Olive Cheese Bread is a flavorful and creamy appetizer featuring a blend of green and black olives, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and butter, all spread over a crusty French bread loaf and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties or a savory snack, it combines the briny taste of olives with rich cheese and aromatic green onions, finished with a crispy, cheesy top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 6 oz. full fat sour cream
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Olives
- 7 oz. green olives, drained and sliced
- 6 oz. black olives, drained and sliced
Bread
- 8–10 oz. loaf French bread
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the bread mixture.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, softened butter, garlic powder, and a large pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper. Stir the mixture until it becomes mostly smooth and well incorporated.
- Add Cheese and Onions: Add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and thinly sliced green onions to the sour cream mixture, then stir thoroughly until evenly combined.
- Fold in Olives: Gently fold the sliced green and black olives into the cheese mixture, ensuring they are uniformly distributed without breaking them up too much.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the French bread loaf in half horizontally (widthwise) and then slice each half in half lengthwise, resulting in four pieces of bread.
- Spread Mixture onto Bread: Evenly divide the olive and cheese mixture among the four bread pieces, spreading it in an even layer on the cut sides of each piece.
- Bake the Bread: Place the topped bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the edges of the bread begin to turn golden brown.
- Broil for Finish: Switch the oven to broil and place the bread under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese starts to develop a dark golden brown color. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Slice and Garnish: Remove the bread from the oven, slice it into serving pieces, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- Use full-fat sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese for best creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Be careful during the broiling step to avoid burning the cheese; watch it closely.
- Feel free to substitute green and black olives with your favorite olives or add some chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- This bread is best served warm and fresh out of the oven for optimal taste and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for a few minutes to retain crispiness.
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