If you’ve ever wondered how to turn those delicious olives into a crunchy, savory snack, you’re in for a treat with this Olive Chips Recipe. These crispy baked olive slices are packed full of bold Mediterranean flavors, offering a surprisingly addictive snack that’s low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free. The magic lies in baking firm olives until they shrivel into perfect little crisps that carry a salty, slightly chewy bite — perfect on their own or as a spectacular addition to salads and charcuterie boards. Once you try this Olive Chips Recipe, you’ll find a whole new way to enjoy olives beyond the usual!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because of its simple and fresh ingredients. Each one plays an essential role in building layers of flavor and texture—from the firm olives that crisp up wonderfully, to the garlic and onion powders that bring a warm, aromatic touch. The olive oil helps everything crisp without drying out, making these olive chips irresistibly good.
- 1 cup pitted black or green olives (firm variety): The star of this snack, firm olives hold up and crisp beautifully in the oven.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps the olives bake evenly and adds a silky richness that enhances flavor and texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a punch of savory flavor that complements the olives perfectly.
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder: Provides a subtle sweetness and depth without overwhelming the palate.
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (optional): Classic Mediterranean herb that adds a fragrant, slightly earthy note.
- Pinch of salt: Balances all the flavors and draws out the olives’ natural briny goodness.
How to Make Olive Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Olives
First things first, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). This moderate temperature allows the olives to dry out and crisp without burning. Then, pat your olives dry very thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture — this step is crucial to achieving that perfect crunch.
Step 2: Slice Your Olives
Slice the olives into thin rounds or halves depending on their size and your preference. Thinner slices will crisp more easily, but thicker pieces will still have that delicious chewy center that makes olive chips so unique.
Step 3: Season the Olives
Place the sliced olives in a bowl and toss them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano if using, and a pinch of salt. Tossing ensures every chip is coated evenly with flavor and a touch of oil for crispness.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake
Spread the olives out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid burning — you’re looking for shriveled, crispy edges with a slightly chewy center.
Step 5: Cool and Crisp Up
Once they come out of the oven, let the olive chips cool completely on the baking sheet. They will firm up and crisp even more as they reach room temperature, so patience here pays off!
How to Serve Olive Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle your olive chips with a little flaky sea salt, fresh chopped herbs like parsley or rosemary, or a zest of lemon to brighten the flavors. These simple touches elevate their appeal, making them party-ready in a snap.
Side Dishes
Olive chips are perfect alongside creamy dips such as hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush. They also pair beautifully with fresh veggie platters or as part of a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad, adding texture and a salty punch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, scatter olive chips over warm roasted vegetables or use them as crunchy toppings on avocado toast. They also look stunning on cheese boards, adding an unexpected crisp element to contrast soft cheeses and charcuterie.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your olive chips in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve their crispness. Properly stored, they should stay crunchy for up to 4 days. Avoid moisture to prevent them from getting soggy.
Freezing
While you can freeze olive chips, it’s better to enjoy them fresh for peak texture. If you do freeze, store them in a freezer-safe bag and thaw at room temperature, but note they may lose some crispness after thawing.
Reheating
If your olive chips lose their crunch, simply pop them back into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes. This little refresh helps restore their crisp edges, making them taste freshly baked again.
FAQs
Can I use any type of olives for this Olive Chips Recipe?
It’s best to use firm varieties of olives since soft or overly briny olives won’t crisp up well. Look for olives labeled as “firm” or “semi-firm” to get the best crispy texture.
Are olive chips healthy?
Absolutely! Olive chips are low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free. They offer healthy fats from olive oil and are a great alternative to typical salty snacks.
Can I season olive chips with flavors besides garlic and oregano?
Definitely! Experiment with smoked paprika, chili flakes, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan after baking for a custom flavor twist.
How thin should I slice the olives?
About 1/8 inch thick is ideal. Thin slices crisp nicely but still maintain a bit of chew in the center, which is the hallmark of the perfect olive chip.
What if my olive chips burn quickly?
Oven temperatures can vary, so if they burn fast, lower the heat slightly and check more frequently toward the end of baking. Also, make sure slices are spread out and not overlapping.
Final Thoughts
This Olive Chips Recipe is a wonderful way to spotlight olives in a new, exciting form that’s crispy, flavorful, and downright addictive. Whether as a snack or a creative garnish, these chips bring an authentic Mediterranean flair to your kitchen with minimal fuss. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and discover your new favorite crunchy delight!
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Olive Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Description
These crispy Olive Chips are a delicious, low-carb snack made by baking firm black or green olives seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and oregano. Perfectly crisp on the edges and slightly chewy in the center, they make a great savory treat on their own or as a topping for salads, dips, and charcuterie boards. This Mediterranean-inspired vegan recipe is simple to prepare and gluten-free, offering a tasty alternative to traditional chips.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted black or green olives (firm variety)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for slow baking the olives into crispy chips.
- Dry the olives: Thoroughly pat the olives dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible, ensuring they crisp up during baking.
- Slice the olives: Cut the olives into thin rounds or halves, depending on size and your preference, for even cooking and crispiness.
- Season the olives: In a medium bowl, toss the sliced olives with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano if using, and a pinch of salt to evenly coat and flavor them.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Spread the seasoned olives in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Bake: Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping the olives halfway through to ensure they shrivel and crisp up evenly. Watch closely towards the end to avoid burning.
- Cool and serve: Let the olive chips cool completely on the baking sheet so they crisp up more before serving.
Notes
- Use firm olives for the best texture; soft or overly briny olives may not crisp well.
- These olive chips are great as a low-carb, salty snack or as a flavorful topping for salads, dips, and charcuterie boards.
- Keep an eye on the chips towards the end of baking to prevent overcooking or burning.
