If You've Never Had Olives Prepared This Way, You're Missing Out

One of the most delightful snacks you can enjoy is warm olives. This might surprise you, since olives are often served cold, tossed in salads, or simply snacked on from a bowl. But if you take the time to season and gently warm them, you’ll find it transforms the entire olive experience. There are various methods for warming olives, and we’ll outline them below.

Stovetop

The simplest method is to warm them in a pot on the stove. In a recent YouTube episode of 'Home Movies' called Apero Hour, chef Alison Roman demonstrates how she drains a jar of green olives, adds a generous pour of olive oil, seasons with fennel seeds and paprika, then heats them gently over a low flame, stirring occasionally.

As Roman explains, 'They’re not really cooked, just warmed... The flavor is in the oil on the outside. It’s similar to roasted peanuts or sunflower seeds, where the flavor is on the shell and you eat the whole thing to experience it.'

Roman explains, 'A warm olive is a whole different experience from a cold one; the flavors really open up.' This makes sense, since warm food is generally more flavorful than cold. She particularly loves Castelvetrano olives, which she believes are the best for this method.

Grilled

Another great way to warm olives is by grilling them on the barbecue. You can use a heatproof metal basket, a cast iron skillet, or wrap them in aluminum foil and place them directly on the coals.

For a fun presentation, if the olives are pitted, you can skewer them onto pre-soaked bamboo sticks. Add your favorite seasonings like garlic, pepper, chile flakes, and herbs—or get creative with any spices that you prefer.

Roasted

Finally, try roasting olives on a baking sheet lined with foil. While olives are often added to dishes like Chicken Marbella for roasting, they can also shine on their own.

Toss the olives with olive oil and any aromatics you have on hand, such as fennel, garlic, chile flakes, herbs, and citrus. Roast at 450°F (232°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re sizzling. Serve warm.

Alternatively, you can slow-roast them in a small pan covered with foil. Bake at 300°F (149°C) for up to an hour, allowing the olives to absorb all the delicious flavors.

No matter the method, warm olives are a crowd-pleaser. Serve them with plenty of crusty, chewy bread to soak up the flavorful spiced oil.