Introduction

There are some recipes that just bring back a flood of happy memories, aren’t there? For me, this Olive Cheese Bread Appetizer is one of those. It instantly reminds me of holiday gatherings, cozy evenings with friends, and those spontaneous potlucks where everyone asks, “What’s that delicious smell?!” This recipe is incredibly straightforward, comes together in a flash, and delivers a flavor punch that’s simply irresistible. You’re going to love how effortlessly you can whip up this crowd-pleasing treat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready to bake in minutes, perfect for last-minute entertaining.
Easy: Seriously, if you can stir and spread, you can make this!
Giftable: Imagine gifting a pre-made one to a neighbor or friend for a weeknight treat!
Crowd-pleasing: The combination of savory olives, creamy cheese, and a hint of garlic is a winner every single time.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! Here’s what you’ll need to create this little slice of heaven:

1 (8-10 ounce) loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise: A good sturdy French bread is key here. It’s the perfect vessel for all that yummy topping.
4 tablespoons Butter, softened: Softened butter makes it easy to spread and gives the bread a lovely golden finish.
6 ounces Sour cream, full fat: This is the creamy, dreamy base that holds everything together. Don’t skimp on the fat – it makes all the difference in richness!
8 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded: Oh, Monterey Jack! It melts like a dream and has a mild, creamy flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.
6 ounces Black olives, pitted and sliced: The briny, salty goodness of black olives adds a wonderful depth.
7 ounces Green olives, pitted and sliced: Green olives bring a brighter, tangier flavor that perfectly complements the black olives.
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder: Just a little whisper of garlic to enhance all those savory notes.
1 teaspoon Kosher salt: Kosher salt has a lovely texture and clean saltiness.
1 teaspoon Pepper, fresh cracked: Freshly cracked pepper makes a world of difference, trust me!
1/4 cup Green onions, chopped: For a pop of fresh color and a subtle oniony bite at the end.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get baking! This is where the magic happens. You’ll be amazed at how simple this is.

Preheat your oven: Get that oven nice and toasty to 350°F (175°C). This ensures everything melts and browns perfectly.
Mix the magic topping: Grab a medium bowl. Into it goes the sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, those lovely sliced black olives, and the zesty green olives. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, kosher salt, and that freshly cracked pepper. Give it all a good stir until everything is beautifully combined. I like to taste a tiny bit at this stage to make sure the seasoning is just right!
Prep the bread: Lay your halved French bread on a baking sheet, cut-side up. If you like a little extra buttery goodness, you can spread a thin layer of the softened butter on the cut sides of the bread before adding the topping. This step is optional but totally recommended for an extra layer of flavor and a crispier edge!
Pile on the goodness: Now, spread that glorious cheese and olive mixture evenly over both halves of the French bread. Make sure to get it right to the edges!
Bake until bubbly: Carefully place your baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for about 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for that cheese to be melted, bubbly, and maybe even a little golden brown in spots. The bread should be lightly toasted and fragrant.
Garnish and serve: Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for just a moment. Sprinkle generously with those fresh chopped green onions. They add such a lovely burst of freshness! Slice it up into appetizer-sized pieces, and watch it disappear.

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your creativity! Here are a few ideas:

Cheese Swap: If Monterey Jack isn’t your favorite, feel free to use cheddar, Colby Jack, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for an extra nutty flavor.
Olive Lovers Unite: Pimento-stuffed olives are another delightful option to toss into the mix.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the topping mixture for a gentle kick.
Herbal Notes: A tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley or chives mixed into the topping before baking adds another layer of fresh flavor.
Bacon Bits: Who doesn’t love bacon? A sprinkle of cooked, crumbled bacon on top before serving is always a winner.

Tips for Success

Let’s make sure your Olive Cheese Bread is absolutely perfect! Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

Don’t Over-Bake: Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time. You want bubbly cheese, not burnt bread!
Even Spreading: Make sure the topping is spread evenly so every bite gets a good mix of cheese and olives.
Prep Ahead: You can totally prepare the topping mixture up to a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just assemble and bake when you’re ready to serve!
Cooling Time: While it’s tempting to dive in immediately, letting it cool for a few minutes makes it much easier to slice cleanly.

How to Store It

Leftovers (if there are any!) are delicious. Once cooled, wrap any remaining Olive Cheese Bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. You can enjoy it cold, or pop a slice into the toaster oven or a skillet for a few minutes to warm it up and get that cheese gooey again!

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I use a different type of bread?
A: Absolutely! A baguette or even a sturdy Italian loaf would work wonderfully. Just slice it appropriately for your desired serving size.

Q: How do I reheat leftovers?
A: The best way is to reheat individual slices in a toaster oven or a dry skillet over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp. You can also microwave it, but it might lose some of its crispness.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time for a party?
A: Yes! You can assemble the topping and spread it on the bread a few hours before serving. Cover it loosely and keep it at room temperature. Then, bake it just before your guests arrive. For longer prep, store the topping separately in the fridge and assemble closer to baking time.

Olive Cheese Bread Appetizer

An easy and fast appetizer made with French bread, cheese, olives, and seasonings, perfect for parties or casual gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Servings 8 slices

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Medium bowl

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 loaf French bread 8-10 ounce, sliced in half lengthwise
4 tablespoons Butter softened
6 ounces Sour cream full fat
8 ounces Monterey jack cheese shredded
6 ounces Black olives pitted and sliced
7 ounces Green olives pitted and sliced
0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Pepper fresh cracked
0.25 cup Green onions chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sliced black olives, sliced green olives, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Stir until well combined.
1 loaf French bread
Lay the halved French bread on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Optionally, spread a thin layer of softened butter on the cut sides.
1 loaf French bread
Spread the cheese and olive mixture evenly over both halves of the French bread.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Remove from oven, let cool slightly, sprinkle with chopped green onions, slice, and serve.
1 loaf French bread

Notes

This recipe is fast, easy, giftable, and a crowd-pleaser. It can be prepped ahead of time.