Introduction

Remember those cozy get-togethers, the ones where the smell of something delicious baking filled the air and everyone gathered around the kitchen? This Olive Cheese Bread brings all those warm, fuzzy feelings right back! It’s ridiculously simple to whip up, making it perfect for those last-minute cravings or when you need a show-stopping appetizer without all the fuss. Seriously, you’re going to be obsessed with how easy and how utterly delightful this bread is.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: From start to finish, you can have this ready in under 30 minutes.
Easy: No fancy techniques required, just simple mixing and baking.
Giftable: Wrap it up tightly (once cooled!) for a delicious homemade gift.
Crowd-pleasing: Everyone adores the savory olives, creamy cheese, and buttery bread.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 loaf French bread: A nice, sturdy loaf is perfect for holding all that goodness.
6 ounces pimiento-stuffed green olives, chopped: Those little bits of pimiento add a pop of color and sweetness!
6 ounces black olives, chopped: For that classic, briny flavor we all love.
2 green onions, chopped: They add a lovely freshness and a hint of oniony bite.
1 stick butter, softened: Make sure it’s soft so it creams up beautifully.
½ cup mayonnaise: This is our secret to a super creamy and spreadable mixture. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
¾ pound Monterey Jack cheese, grated: This cheese melts like a dream. Feel free to mix in some cheddar for extra flavor!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens:

Preheat your oven: Get that oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C). This is important for even baking.
Mix the savory bits: Grab a medium bowl and toss in your chopped green olives, black olives, and green onions. Give them a good stir to get acquainted.
Cream the base: In a separate bowl, this is where we make our creamy magic happen. Cream together the softened butter and mayonnaise until it’s smooth and lovely.
Combine everything: Now, gently fold that glorious olive and onion mixture into the butter and mayonnaise base. Stir until it’s all nicely combined.
Spread the love: Take your French bread, split lengthwise, and generously spread this olivey, creamy mixture evenly over the cut sides.
Cheese, please!: Sprinkle that grated Monterey Jack cheese (or your cheese blend!) all over the olive mixture. Make sure every inch is covered – no cheese left behind!
Baking time: Carefully place the bread halves on a baking sheet. Pop them into your preheated oven.
Bake until bubbly: Bake for about 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for that cheese to be melted, gooey, and bubbly, and the bread to turn a gorgeous golden brown.
Slice and enjoy: Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool just a touch, slice it up, and get ready for the compliments!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling inspired? You can totally customize this bread to your liking!

Cheese: While Monterey Jack is fantastic, feel free to use cheddar, Colby Jack, or even a bit of Parmesan for a sharper flavor.
Olives: If you’re not a fan of pimiento-stuffed olives, regular chopped green olives work just fine. Kalamata olives would also add a lovely Mediterranean twist!
Herbs: A sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning in the olive mixture can add another layer of flavor. Fresh parsley or chives chopped fine and sprinkled on top after baking are also a great idea.
Spice: For those who like a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the olive mixture.

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to make your Olive Cheese Bread absolutely perfect:

Soften your butter: This is key for getting a smooth, creamy spread. If you forget to take it out, you can gently warm it in the microwave for a few seconds, but be careful not to melt it completely.
Drain the olives well: Soggy olives won’t give you the best texture. Make sure to drain them thoroughly after chopping.
Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking to prevent the bread from getting too hard.
Prep ahead: You can mix the olive spread and grate the cheese a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving for the freshest taste!

How to Store It

Leftovers (if there are any!) are precious. Once completely cooled, you can store any leftover Olive Cheese Bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If it’s very warm where you are, the refrigerator might be a better option, though the bread might soften a bit. To reheat, pop a slice in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warm and toasty again.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?: Yes! You can prepare the olive mixture and grate the cheese a day in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge and assemble the bread just before baking.
What kind of bread is best?: French bread is classic, but Italian bread or even a baguette would work wonderfully. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the toppings!
Can I freeze this?: It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you could potentially freeze baked slices tightly wrapped. Reheat them in an oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.
Is mayonnaise really the best binder?: It really is! The mayonnaise adds a wonderful creaminess and helps all the ingredients bind together without making the bread greasy. It’s a surprisingly delicious combination!

Olive Cheese Bread

This Olive Cheese Bread is ridiculously simple to whip up, making it perfect for those last-minute cravings or when you need a show-stopping appetizer without all the fuss. You’re going to be obsessed with how easy and how utterly delightful this bread is.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Equipment

Medium bowl
Separate bowl
Baking Sheet

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 loaf French bread split lengthwise
6 ounces pimiento-stuffed green olives chopped
6 ounces black olives chopped
2 green onions chopped
1 stick butter softened
0.5 cup mayonnaise
0.75 pound Monterey Jack cheese grated

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a medium bowl, combine chopped green olives, black olives, and green onions.
1 loaf French bread
In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and mayonnaise until smooth.
1 loaf French bread
Gently fold the olive and onion mixture into the butter and mayonnaise mixture.
1 loaf French bread
Spread the mixture evenly over the cut sides of the French bread.
1 loaf French bread
Sprinkle grated Monterey Jack cheese over the olive mixture.
1 loaf French bread
Place the bread halves on a baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is golden brown.
Slice and enjoy.

Notes

You can mix the olive spread and grate the cheese a day in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake just before serving for the freshest taste!