Olive Bread: Easy Spanish Tapas Loaf with a Golden Crust 56 2026

Olive bread, or pan de aceitunas, is one of our favorite loaves to put on the table when we set out a spread of tapas. It is very easy to make and is ideal for serving alongside cheeses, cured meats, or patés.

This rustic loaf gets its character from briny black olives and a touch of fresh thyme. The dough comes together quickly, and most of the time is hands-off while it rises, so even a beginner baker can pull it off.

Below you will find the step-by-step method for making this savory Spanish bread at home, from mixing the dough to baking it to a golden, crackly crust.

Ingredients for Olive Bread

This recipe yields 12 servings.

• 250 g wheat flour
• 4 g salt
• 2 g dry baker's yeast
• 170 ml warm water
• 60 g pitted black olives
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves

How to Make Olive Bread Step by Step

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients

To make this olive bread we need wheat flour, yeast, salt, and water. For the filling, we will use whichever olives we like best, which can be black or a combination of black and green. We will also flavor this bread with thyme, though any other aromatic herb you enjoy will work well too. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 250 g of wheat flour, 4 g of salt, and 2 g of dry baker's yeast.

2. Add the Water

To make things easier, we use a stand mixer, but you can perfectly well make this bread by kneading it by hand with a little more patience. On this occasion, we used dry baker's yeast, though if you don't have it or prefer to use fresh yeast, you would need about 6 g for this recipe, and in that case you would have to mix it with a little warm water before starting the process.

3. Knead and Form a Ball

Knead at medium speed for 8 minutes. If you knead by hand, it will take about 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Form a ball, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for 90 minutes.

4. Let the Dough Rise Until Doubled

After the rising time, the dough should have doubled in size. This is a very simple and tasty bread, ideal for serving as an appetizer alongside a cheese board or a charcuterie board, though it is also wonderful served already sliced to accompany homemade patés, and it is even delicious with butter, either plain or flavored to taste.

5. Deflate the Dough and Add Olives and Thyme

Press down on the dough to release the air on a floured countertop, form a square, and distribute 60 g of pitted black olives, chopped, and 1 teaspoon of thyme leaves over it.

6. Shape the Bread

Form a roll, making sure the olives are well distributed, leaving the seams on top for a more rustic finish. Place the dough on a baking tray.

7. Let It Rise Again

Cover again with the cloth and let it rise for 1 more hour, until it doubles in volume. The bread will open along the seams, so we don't need to score it with a blade. Preheat the oven to 200 ºC.

8. Bake the Olive Bread

Bake the olive bread for 30 to 45 minutes at 200 ºC with top and bottom heat until it is golden and as crusty as you like. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.

Tips for the Best Olive Bread

Choose Your Olives and Herbs

Use whichever olives you like best, whether black or a mix of black and green, and chop them so they distribute evenly through the dough. Thyme gives this loaf a lovely aroma, but any other aromatic herb you enjoy will work just as well.

Kneading by Hand or with a Mixer

A stand mixer makes quick work of the dough, but you can absolutely knead it by hand with a little more patience, about 10 to 12 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. If you use fresh yeast instead of dry, you will need about 6 g and should dissolve it in a little warm water before you begin.

How to Serve It

This bread is ideal as an appetizer with a cheese board or a charcuterie board, and it is also excellent sliced to go with homemade patés. It is even delicious with butter, either plain or flavored to taste.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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