Description
Matt’s Olive Cheese Bread is a flavorful and spicy Italian-inspired appetizer featuring a crusty ciabatta loaf loaded with a savory blend of Calabrian chili paste, garlic butter, creamy mozzarella, tangy olives, and sharp Parmesan cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, this bread is perfect for sharing as a warm, cheesy snack or party starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Base
- 1 (14 ounce) ciabatta loaf, sliced in half lengthwise
Spread
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste, depending on your spice preference
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup pitted Castelvetrano olives, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the ciabatta halves cut side up for even baking.
- Prepare the Spread: In a small mixing bowl, combine the room temperature salted butter, mayonnaise, Calabrian chili paste (adjust to your spice preference), minced garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until well blended.
- Assemble the Bread: Evenly spread the prepared butter mixture over the cut sides of the ciabatta halves, covering the entire surface to the edges. Layer the shredded mozzarella cheese over the spread, followed by an even distribution of the chopped Castelvetrano and Kalamata olives. Finally, grate and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly atop the bread.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and begins to turn a golden brown hue.
- Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Slice each half of the loaf crosswise into 6 equal pieces, yielding 12 pieces in total. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top for a fresh finish and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Calabrian chili paste to control the heat level.
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and spreading.
- Castelvetrano olives provide a mild, buttery contrast to the briny Kalamata olives. If unavailable, substitute with green olives and kalamata or other briny olives.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best experience with gooey, melted cheese.
- Store any leftovers wrapped tightly and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: olive cheese bread, ciabatta bread recipe, spicy cheese bread, baked olive bread, Calabrian chili bread, appetizer recipe
