Looking to take your french bread and olive oil dip routine to another level? The best easy bread dip is bursting with flavor from garlic, basil, thyme, parmesan, and other Italian herbs with olive oil and salt for a rich and good bread dip that is savory and satisfying!

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Olive Oil and Herb Dip

If you love dipping french bread in olive oil as much as we do, you can love this good and easy way to enhance the flavor of your olive oil. By adding salt, herbs, and spices – along with some parmesan cheese – we're loading up every bite of bread with a ton of flavor, you won't be able to resist the urge to double-dip!

We love to serve this bread dip on cheese plates, with appetizer spreads, with fresh baked breads and rolls, or with baguettes. It is good brushed over toasted baguettes for bruschetta, and even tossed with pasta or salad for an extra burst of flavor!

We hope you love this simple and good recipe as much as we do.

How to Make Bread Dip

To make this bread dip, you will need the following ingredients:

Dried Basil (1/2 teaspoon):
- Dried basil contributes a sweet and slightly peppery flavor to the dip. It adds a hint of herbal freshness to the overall taste.
Dried Thyme (1/2 teaspoon):
- Dried thyme has a savory, earthy flavor with a subtle hint of mint and lemon. It adds depth and complexity to the dip's flavor profile.
Dried Rosemary (1/2 teaspoon):
- Dried rosemary is known for its strong, piney, and slightly resinous aroma. It imparts a robust and aromatic quality to the dip.
Dried Oregano (1/2 teaspoon):
- Dried oregano has a bold, slightly bitter taste with hints of citrus and pepper. It adds a Mediterranean flair and a slightly zesty flavor to the dip.
Dried Marjoram (1/4 teaspoon):
- Dried marjoram is closely related to oregano but has a milder, sweeter flavor. It complements the other herbs and adds a subtle floral note.
Red Pepper Flakes (1/4 teaspoon or more, to taste):
- Red pepper flakes provide heat and a mild spiciness to the dip. The amount used can be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness.
Sea Salt (1/2 teaspoon):
- Sea salt enhances the overall flavor by balancing and highlighting the flavors of the herbs and spices. It also provides seasoning to the dip.
Parmesan Cheese (1 tablespoon):
- Parmesan cheese adds a rich, savory, and slightly nutty flavor to the dip. It contributes to the umami profile and makes the dip creamy when combined with the olive oil.
Olive Oil (4-5 tablespoons):
- Olive oil serves as the base of the dip, providing a smooth and luscious texture. It helps to bind all the dried herbs and spices together and adds a pleasant, fruity flavor.

To make this bread dip, we will use the following method:

You can mix the herbs, salt, and red pepper flakes months in advance and store in an airtight container like a jar.
When ready to serve, mix with grated parmesan cheese and olive oil.

Kitchen notes

Use Italian herbs seasoning. Don't want to measure out all of your herbs? Skip the spoons and replace the basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram with a tablespoon of Italian Herbs seasoning mix instead.

Use coarse salt. Using a crunchy, coarse salt with texture adds salty flavor without additional sodium, as well as adding texture to your dip.

Give as a gift. You can mix up the herbs and place in a jar with a handmade label or decoration for a neighbor or teacher gift that is good and thoughtful!

Skip the cheese. If you're dairy-free or looking for a cheese substitute, you can use nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan, or skip the parmesan altogether.

A few answers

How long does bread dip last?

Dip mixed with parmesan should be used within three days if stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator.
Herbs and spices without parmesan and oil can be stored for up to four months.
Oil and herbs can be mixed and stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry place for up to four months.

Can we add other herbs to this recipe?

Fennel, Aleppo pepper, cayenne pepper, crunchy garlic, roasted garlic cloves, everything bagel seasoning mix, and lemon pepper seasoning all mix in deliciously into bread dip.

What bread should we dip into bread dip?

We love serving this with french bread, sourdough bread, baguettes, rolls, and any savory bread that is sliced for dipping.

Serve it with

Our good Easy No Knead Bread and Easy Beer Bread are good dipped in olive oil and herbs – like Yeast Rollsfrench bread, focaccia, pita bread, or other savory breads!

We also like to drizzle this bread dip over noodles for a quick and easy pasta or in Pasta Salad!

The Best Easy Bread Dip Recipe

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Ingredients

½ teaspoon dried basil*
½ teaspoon dried thyme*
½ teaspoon dried rosemary*
½ teaspoon dried oregano*
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram*
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, more or less, to taste
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
4-5 tablespoons of Olive oil

Method

In a large bowl, mix herbs and salt. If not serving immediately, place in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to four months.
When ready to serve, pour herbs and salt onto a plate. Top with grated parmesan cheese, and drizzle olive oil over plate.
Serve with crusty bread, breadsticks, or crackers to dip in olive oil.