Introduction

This Cheesy Baked Olive Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring creamy cheeses and briny olives baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for parties or casual gatherings, served warm with crusty bread for dipping.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy, golden-brown baked cheese dip, showing a slightly crispy top layer with melted cheese. The dip is topped with a mix of green and black sliced olives and small pieces of chopped green onions and parsley, scattered across the top. Two pieces of crusty bread are resting on the right side, partially dipped into the mixture. A spoon is scooping into the dip at the bottom left corner, revealing a thick and creamy inside with chunks of black olives. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some bread fragments and a bit of greenery nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz. full fat sour cream, room temperature
8 oz. full fat cream cheese, room temperature
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. shredded mozzarella, divided
2 oz. shredded Parmesan, divided
1 (6 oz.) can pitted medium black olives, halved or sliced
1 (6 oz.) can pitted green olives, halved or sliced
Kosher salt
Fresh cracked pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, garlic, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, a few hearty pinches of kosher salt, and a pinch of fresh cracked pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Gently fold in the halved or sliced black and green olives, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×9-inch baking dish or a medium-sized cast iron skillet. Spread it out into an even layer.
Step 5: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top of the dip.
Step 6: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Then switch the oven to broil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese on top turns dark golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Step 7: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm with sliced French baguette or your favorite crackers. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use full-fat dairy for the creamiest dip and best melting effect.
Try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Swap the black or green olives for Kalamata olives if you prefer a tangier flavor.
For a lighter version, substitute part of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt, though the texture will be less rich.

Storage

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.

How to Serve

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a baked dip that has a golden-brown, bubbly cheese layer on top. The cheese layer is speckled with slightly browned spots, showing a melted and crispy texture. In the center, there is a mix of sliced green and black olives along with chopped fresh green herbs and sliced green onions scattered over the top. A spoon is scooping out a portion from the bottom right corner, revealing a creamy white layer beneath the cheese and a darker layer with beans or similar ingredients underneath. Three slices of toasted bread rest on the upper left corner of the dish on the white marbled surface, next to a small bowl of green herbs and a striped kitchen towel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dip mixture in advance and refrigerate it. Bake it just before serving to ensure it’s hot and melty.

What can I serve with this olive dip?

This dip pairs well with sliced baguette, pita chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks like bell peppers and cucumbers.

Cheesy Baked Olive Dip Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 82 reviews

This Cheesy Baked Olive Dip is a creamy, savory appetizer perfect for entertaining. Made with a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a mix of black and green olives, this dip is baked until bubbly and golden on top. Serve it warm with sliced French baguette for a crowd-pleasing snack or party starter.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dairy and Cream Base

8 oz. full fat sour cream, room temperature
8 oz. full fat cream cheese, room temperature
8 oz. shredded mozzarella, divided
2 oz. shredded Parmesan, divided

Olives

1 (6 oz.) can pitted medium black olives, halved or sliced
1 (6 oz.) can pitted green olives, halved or sliced

Flavorings

2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt, to taste
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Sliced French baguette, for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip evenly.
Combine the base ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the sour cream, cream cheese, minced garlic, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the shredded Parmesan, and then season generously with kosher salt and a pinch of freshly cracked pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until you achieve a smooth and well-combined creamy mixture.
Fold in the olives: Gently fold the halved or sliced black and green olives into the cream cheese mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed without crushing them.
Transfer to baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×9 inch baking dish or a medium-sized cast iron skillet. Spread the olive and cheese mixture evenly in the dish. Then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top to create a cheesy crust.
Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the dip for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Broil for a golden top: For the last 1 to 2 minutes, switch your oven to broil and watch carefully as the mozzarella on top browns to a beautiful golden and slightly darkened color. Remove from the oven promptly to avoid burning.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the dip warm alongside sliced French baguette for dipping. Enjoy this rich and flavorful appetizer!

Notes

Room temperature cream cheese and sour cream help achieve a smooth and creamy dip texture.
Watch closely during broiling to prevent burning the cheese topping.
You can substitute fresh mozzarella for shredded if preferred, but shredding ensures even melting.
This dip is best served warm but can be reheated gently in the oven if needed.
For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeño to the cheese mixture.

Keywords: cheesy olive dip, baked dip, party appetizer, olive dip recipe, cream cheese dip, mozzarella dip, easy appetizer