This homemade bread dipping oil is so simple to make, and a perfect addition to a weekend dinner or a spread for a celebration. Made by combining extra-virgin olive oil with garlic, lemon, red pepper flakes, olives, red wine vinegar, and herbs, it can be ready in minutes. Serve it with an array of fresh breads like I did below, and add an Italian restaurant feel to your dinner party.

close up view of homemade bread dipping oil in a terracotta bowl on a serving board with various cut up breads

Ingredients

To make this homemade dipping oil, you’ll need the following:

Olive Oil – 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Mixed Olives (Green Olives + Kalamata olives) – 1/3 cup mixed olives, pitted
Fresh Basil – 6 basil leaves (about 1 tbsp when finely chopped)
Fresh Parsley – a handful of fresh parsley (about 1 tbsp finely chopped)
Dried Oregano – 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Garlic – 1 garlic clove, minced
Lemon – 1 tbsp lemon juice and the zest from one lemon
Red Pepper Flakes – 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Red Wine Vinegar – 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt – 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes like Maldon (or more to taste)
Bread – Bread, Focaccia, Flatbreads (to dip)

Make it in Two Easy Steps

Step 1. Finely chop the olives and the fresh herbs (parsley and basil).

overhead view of chopped parsley, basil, and olives used for dipping oil on a white cutting board

Step 2. Combine the extra-virgin olive oil with the finely chopped olives, finely chopped fresh basil, finely chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, red wine vinegar, and salt.

olive oil being combined with herbs, lemon, garlic, and chopped oils to make bread dipping oil in a glass container with a spoon

overhead view of homemade dipping oil in red terracotta bowl on a wooden background

Serve the oil with focaccia, flatbreads, and your favorite bread (I love sourdough, olive bread, and ciabatta).

top down view of bread dipping oil in a red bowl with an arrangement of focaccia, pita, and other bread above it on a round wooden serving board

Tear off a piece of bread and scoop up some of that rich, aromatic dipping oil, or spoon it onto the bread. You won’t believe how flavorful it is, and it’s so easy to make. If you made it and loved it, let me know in a review below.

More Appetizers for Your Spread

Entertaining a crowd? Try these marinated olives on a bed of whipped ricotta with any extra bread you have. Make your own homemade garlic bread with fresh baguettes from the bakery, or try a few of these crostini for your next dinner party.

Recipe Card