Irresistible Olive Baked Brie: Your Ultimate Guide to a Flavorful National Olive Day Appetizer & Beyond

If there’s one thing that brings immediate joy and comfort, it’s a perfectly crafted snack. While desserts certainly have their charm, I confess a profound love for savory bites. Give me a plate of well-chosen appetizers, and my discipline for portion control vanishes faster than crumbs on a plate. It’s a delightful weakness I’ve embraced, a passion I’ve often shared through recipes for beloved snacks like tangy pickled red onions and sweet cranberry baked brie.

Olives, in particular, hold a special place in my heart (and pantry!). While I often incorporate them into hearty dinner recipes, such as my popular Mediterranean Chicken Thighs, the undeniable truth is that I often find myself enjoying them straight from the jar. Simple, yes, but undeniably satisfying. However, for a recipe blog, “straight from the jar” doesn’t quite cut it for an exciting post. So, I embarked on a mission to elevate this simple pleasure into a super simple yet incredibly delicious recipe that truly celebrates the olive: the Olive Baked Brie.

Celebrate National Olive Day (or Any Day!) with This Easy Appetizer

National Olive Day falls on June 1st, and this recipe is perfectly timed to give you a few days to prepare for a delightful celebration. But let’s be honest, this Olive Baked Brie isn’t just for one specific day. It’s a versatile, crowd-pleasing dish that makes an exceptionally easy party appetizer any time of year. Whether you’re assembling a sophisticated Charcuterie Board for Two or a grand spread for guests, this warm, gooey cheese topped with savory olives and fresh herbs is sure to be a star.

My culinary focus often leans towards recipes tailored for two, catering to intimate meals or small gatherings. However, life often calls for a snack that can be generously shared with everyone. My parents and brother frequently visit, and our days are usually packed with city adventures. In such bustling times, the easiest solution is to simply pile a variety of delicious snacks onto a large board and let everyone graze at their leisure. This baked brie fits seamlessly into such an effortless entertaining philosophy.

Beyond sharing, there are also those wonderful moments when a one-person cheese board becomes the perfect treat-yourself dinner. On evenings when cooking a full meal feels like too much effort, or when I simply crave something comforting and delightful, a personalized snack board is the ultimate indulgence. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who occasionally opts for a gourmet snack board over a traditional dinner!). This Olive Baked Brie is rich enough to be the centerpiece of such a personal feast.

While traditional cheese boards often highlight an array of meats and cheeses, with olives playing a supporting role, my intention here was to bring the humble olive into the spotlight. To truly celebrate National Olive Day, I wanted to showcase the incredible diversity and rich flavors that olives offer. There are so many varieties available, each with its unique character, that you could easily fill an entire board with them alone. For this particular platter, I’ve selected a few favorites:

• Pimento Stuffed Olives: These are perhaps the most universally recognized olives, featuring a vibrant red pimento pepper delicately tucked inside. Their briny, slightly sweet flavor and satisfying texture make them a classic for snacking.
• Garlic and Jalapeño Stuffed Olives: For those who appreciate a little kick, these offer a pungent, spicy twist. The garlic adds an aromatic depth, while the jalapeño provides a pleasant heat. Don’t be afraid to explore other stuffed varieties too, such as those filled with creamy feta or sharp blue cheese for different flavor profiles.
• Sliced Black Olives: Offering a milder, often fruitier flavor compared to their green counterparts, slicing black olives provides a distinct shape and makes them incredibly easy to scoop onto crackers or bread. They bring a subtle richness to the board.
• Pitted Green Olives: These firm, tangy olives are a staple. Here’s a fun fact you might not know: green and black olives are actually the same fruit! The difference lies in their ripeness. Green olives are picked before they fully ripen, giving them a firmer texture and a more pungent, slightly bitter taste. Black olives are left on the tree longer to mature, resulting in a softer texture and a milder, fruitier flavor.
• Kalamata Olives: Hailing from Greece, these distinctive, almond-shaped olives are known for their deep purple color and rich, fruity, and slightly smoky flavor. They are often preserved in olive oil or brine, offering a meaty texture that pairs exquisitely with various cheeses, making them an indispensable component of any olive platter.

Crafting the Perfect Accompaniments: Beyond the Olives

While the olives are the undisputed stars of this board, their supporting cast is equally important for a truly satisfying experience. You’ll want an assortment of crackers – variety in shape, texture, and flavor is always a good idea to complement different components. A handful of your favorite nuts, like almonds or walnuts, offer a delightful crunch and healthy fats. Thinly sliced salami or prosciutto adds a savory, salty element that contrasts beautifully with the cheese and olives. And, of course, the cheese itself!

Brie holds the esteemed position as my go-to cheese for any cheese board, primarily due to its unparalleled ease of preparation and, naturally, its exquisite taste. The process couldn’t be simpler: unwrap, top, and it’s practically ready. Its creamy, buttery texture and mild, earthy flavor make it a versatile canvas for a multitude of toppings.

Baked or Not? Versatile Ways to Serve Brie

While the title proudly proclaims “Baked Brie,” hinting at maximum cheesy goodness, there are several wonderful ways to serve this versatile cheese, catering to different preferences and climates. Baking the brie until its interior is lusciously soft and warm is undeniably a divine experience, perfect for cooler evenings or when you crave that comforting melted texture.

• Classic Baked: As per this recipe, heating it in the oven transforms the firm wheel into a decadent, gooey center, perfect for spreading.
• Grilled “Baked”: If the weather is too warm to turn on the oven, you can achieve a similar effect by placing the brie in a baking dish and gently heating it on the grill.
• Directly Grilled: For an adventurous smoky flavor, you can try grilling the brie directly on the rack. Just be extra careful to ensure it doesn’t puncture and ooze everywhere! A foil sling or a grill-safe tray is recommended here.
• Room Temperature: For a simpler approach, serving brie at room temperature allows it to soften naturally, making it wonderfully spreadable without any heat.
• Chilled Wedges: Alternatively, you can keep the brie cold and cut it into elegant wedges, offering a firmer texture that still pairs beautifully with the olives. This is ideal if you prefer a more traditional cheese experience.

For this recipe, I actually opted for cabrie cheese, which is essentially brie made with goat’s milk. While traditional brie is crafted from cow’s milk, cabrie offers a slightly tangier, more assertive flavor profile, yet maintains that characteristic melt-in-your-mouth creaminess. Whichever you choose – classic cow’s milk brie or the adventurous goat’s milk cabrie – both promise an excellent, melty cheese experience that harmonizes perfectly with the robust flavors of the olives.

The Finishing Touches: Olives, Thyme, and Olive Oil

The true magic of this Olive Baked Brie lies in its simple yet impactful toppings. Halved kalamata and pitted green olives are generously scattered over the warm, creamy brie, providing a wonderful textural contrast and a burst of savory flavor. The olives contribute a satisfying “meatiness” that beautifully balances the richness of the cheese. Fresh thyme sprigs are then sprinkled over the top, lending an aromatic, herbaceous note that elevates the entire dish, while a generous grind of black pepper adds a subtle warmth and spice.

To artfully tie all these elements together and enhance the overall experience, I recommend pouring a thin, shimmering layer of high-quality extra virgin olive oil onto the serving plate before placing the baked brie. This thoughtful detail ensures that when you scoop a dollop of the warm, olive-topped cheese onto a cracker, you also pick up a delicate hint of that fragrant olive oil, enriching every single bite. The interplay of creamy cheese, briny olives, fresh herbs, and fruity olive oil creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly irresistible.

Whether you’re commemorating National Olive Day, hosting a casual get-together, or simply indulging in a moment of solo culinary bliss, this Olive Baked Brie offers a sophisticated yet remarkably easy solution. Its simple elegance and profound flavors make it an unforgettable addition to any snack spread or appetizer menu. Get ready to impress with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness!

Olive Baked Brie with Thyme and Olive Oil

Yield:
6-8 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

Elevate your snack game! Learn how to effortlessly prepare the best olive platter, featuring a delectable Olive Baked Brie infused with fresh thyme and aromatic olive oil. Perfect for National Olive Day or any gathering.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces brie cheese round (or cabrie)
• 1/4 cup halved Kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup halved pitted green olives
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
• Extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Carefully place the brie cheese round on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the inside of the cheese is beautifully softened and gooey, but the rind remains intact.
3. Pour a thin, even layer of your favorite extra virgin olive oil into the bottom of a shallow serving dish. Gently transfer the warm baked brie into the oil.
4. Top the baked brie generously with the halved olives, freshly chopped thyme, and season with black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with crackers, crusty bread, or your preferred accompaniments.

Notes

For a no-bake option, you can also serve the cheese cold, cut into elegant wedges, alongside the olives. This offers a different texture but is equally delicious!

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