Restaurant-style Bread Dipping Oil easily made at home in just 10 minutes! This olive oil dip for bread is perfect served with crusty Italian bread for a quick and easy impressive appetizer or snack.

Bread Dipping Oil Recipe
You know that irresistible bread dipping oil they serve at your favorite Italian restaurant? I mean, I could just fill up on that with some fresh bread and a plate of cheese, and simply skip the main meal. Well, you can easily make it at home in just minutes with the same fantastic results.
There are many ways you can make dipping oil for bread, but the base is olive oil, herbs, and seasonings. My recipe adds in a few more umami ingredients to make it the best ever. Serve with some crusty Italian bread or focaccia and you won’t be able to stop dipping!

Ingredients Needed
This bread dipping oil recipe is made with good quality olive oil, either fresh or dried herbs, and a few other ingredients for the best flavor.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for details and measurements.)
- Herbs – A combination of parsley, thyme, and oregano. I prefer fresh, but dried can also be used.
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Garlic – For aromatics and flavor. Again, I like to use freshly minced for the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used instead.
- Melted unsalted butter – This is a secret ingredient I learned about from a local restaurant!
- Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed.
- Balsamic vinegar – This offers a sort of rich, complex sweet and tart flavor. It compliments the other flavors so well, but it is optional if you prefer to leave it out.
- Olive oil – Use the best quality olive oil, since this is the base of the dip and you will taste the difference.
- For serving – Freshly grated Parmesan to sprinkle on top and warm crusty bread for dipping.

How To Make Bread Dipping Oil
It’s so incredibly quick and easy to make dipping oil for bread which is great if you need an impressive last minute appetizer.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for details and measurements.)
- Combine ingredients. Add all the ingredients to a small jar, fasten tightly with the lid and shake vigorously to incorporate.
- Place in a condiment bowl. Transfer the oil mixture to a shallow condiment bowl and sprinkle the Parmesan over the surface.
- Serve. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping!

Serving Suggestions
This Italian bread dipping oil can be made in minutes and served with bread for a great last minute appetizer. It does tastes better the longer it sits, but if you’re in a pinch for time you can serve it right away. We love it with crusty dutch oven bread, French bread, or focaccia, and it’s a perfect addition to a charcuterie board or wine party. Or serve it as part of an Italian meal with spaghetti sauce and pasta.
This flavored olive oil is also wonderful used as a salad dressing or pouring over veggies baked in the oven. Or cut down on the amount of oil and use it as a paste/rub for roasted pork tenderloin.
Proper Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The mixture can solidify in the fridge, just let stand 30 minutes and give it a good whisk before serving again.
If you’d like to store the mixture longer, you’ll need to use dried herbs and garlic powder instead of fresh, then store in a little container and add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to serve. The mixture of dried ingredients will keep for up to 4 months in a tightly sealed container in your pantry.
More Easy Appetizers:
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Bread Dipping Oil
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh parsley (or 1/2 tablespoon dried)
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 small cloves finely minced garlic (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , melted
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar , optional but reccommened
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese , for serving, optional
- warm crusty bread or focaccia , for dipping
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except the Parmesan) to a small jar, fasten tightly with the lid and shake vigorously to incorporate.
- Transfer the oil mixture to a shallow condiment bowl and sprinkle the Parmesan over the surface.
- Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping!
Fantastic, (do not leave out the balsamic vinegar)