If you’re on the hunt for a snack that’s both utterly addictive and bursting with Mediterranean charm, look no further than this Olive Chips Recipe. These crispy, salty bites are a delightful way to transform humble olives into a crunchy, flavorful treat that you can enjoy anytime. Whether sprinkled on salads, served alongside dips, or savored straight from the jar, olive chips bring a pop of savory goodness that’s impossible to resist. Plus, they’re incredibly simple to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and a little patience as they bake to perfection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Olive Chips Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building that perfect balance of flavor and texture—rich, briny olives, a hint of olive oil for crispness, and flaky sea salt for that satisfying finish.
- 1 cup pitted black olives (Kalamata or oil-cured): Choose flavorful, briny olives to ensure a deep, rich taste and crispy texture after baking.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional): A light drizzle helps the chips crisp up evenly but is completely optional if you prefer a drier snack.
- Flaky sea salt to taste: Adds a final touch of saltiness and enhances the olives’ natural flavor.
How to Make Olive Chips Recipe
Step 1: Preparing Your Olives
Start by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Dry your pitted olives with paper towels—this step is key to achieving that crisp texture as excess moisture can cause sogginess. You can slice the olives in half or leave small ones whole; either way, laying them in a single layer helps them crisp evenly.
Step 2: Baking to Crisp Perfection
Spread the olives across your prepared baking sheet. If you like, drizzle them lightly with olive oil—it’s a small touch that encourages an even crisp and a golden finish. Pop them into the oven and bake for between 2 and 2.5 hours. It’s important to check every 30 minutes after the first hour so you can catch that just-right moment when the olives curl slightly and become irresistibly crunchy.
Step 3: Cooling and Finishing Touches
Once your olive chips have reached the perfect texture, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. This cooling step helps the chips firm up even more. Before serving, sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt—it elevates the flavor and gives each bite a delightful crunch.
How to Serve Olive Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Olive chips shine as a crunchy garnish that livens up a variety of dishes. Sprinkle them over creamy hummus, soups, or fresh salads to add both texture and a punch of salty Mediterranean flavor.
Side Dishes
Serve your olive chips alongside a cheese board or charcuterie platter for an exciting twist on traditional crackers. They also pair beautifully with roasted veggies or Mediterranean dips like baba ganoush, offering a savory crunch that complements soft, creamy elements.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress your guests, try topping avocado toast with olive chips for a salty, crispy finish or stir them into grain bowls for added texture. They also work wonderfully as a unique crunchy salad topper or crushed and mixed into breadcrumbs for Mediterranean-inspired coatings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your olive chips keep best stored in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay crispy for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed tightly prevents moisture from creeping in and softening your crunchy snack.
Freezing
While freezing is an option, it’s not recommended for olive chips because freezing and thawing can introduce moisture that will compromise their crispness. It’s better to make smaller batches if you want fresh, crunchy chips every time.
Reheating
If your olive chips lose some crunch, you can revive them by popping them back into a warm oven at 250°F (120°C) for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye during reheating to avoid burning and ensure they regain their delightful crispness.
FAQs
Can I use green olives instead of black olives?
Absolutely! While black olives like Kalamata or oil-cured varieties offer a deeper, richer flavor, green olives can also be used for this recipe. Just be mindful of their salt content and flavor intensity, which might slightly alter the final taste.
Is it necessary to remove the pits from the olives?
Yes, pitting the olives before making olive chips helps prevent any hard bits that could hurt your teeth, and it ensures even baking and crisping.
Can I make olive chips without olive oil?
Yes, olive oil is optional. The chips will still crisp up nicely without it, but a light drizzle of olive oil can enhance the texture and deepen the flavor.
How long do olive chips last once made?
Stored properly in an airtight container, olive chips maintain their crispness and flavor for about 3 days at room temperature.
Are olive chips suitable for keto or low-carb diets?
Definitely! Olive chips are low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats, making them an excellent snack choice for keto, low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
Final Thoughts
Trust me when I say this Olive Chips Recipe is a game-changer for snack lovers and Mediterranean cuisine fans alike. It’s simple, flavorful, and wonderfully crunchy—perfect for elevating your everyday snack lineup. Give it a try, and soon you’ll find yourself reaching for these golden bites again and again, whether solo or sprinkled across your favorite dishes.
Print
Olive Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
Discover a simple and delicious way to enjoy olives with this Olive Chips Recipe. These crispy, baked olive chips are perfect as a salty snack or a unique addition to salads, dips, and charcuterie boards. Using pitted black olives such as Kalamata or oil-cured varieties, this recipe dries and crisps the olives in the oven for a healthy, Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted black olives (such as Kalamata or oil-cured)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
- Flaky sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the olives.
- Prepare Olives: Pat the olives dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Slice the olives in half or keep them whole if they are small to promote even crisping.
- Arrange Olives: Spread the olives in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap for optimal drying.
- Optional Oil Drizzle: Lightly drizzle the olives with olive oil if desired for extra flavor and crispness.
- Bake Olives: Bake for 2 to 2.5 hours, checking every 30 minutes after the first hour. Bake until the olives are dry, crisp, and slightly curled.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the olive chips cool completely to set their crisp texture.
- Season and Serve: Sprinkle the cooled olive chips with flaky sea salt before serving. Enjoy as a snack or garnish.
Notes
- Store olive chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain crispness.
- Use olive chips as a crunchy, salty topping for salads, hummus, dips, or charcuterie boards.
- Oil-cured or briny black olives work best for a deep flavor and crisp texture in this recipe.
