
Olives and cheese are a classic combination, perfect for appetizers, snacks, or cheese boards. Marinated olive and cheese rings are a popular choice, with their elegant presentation and tempting flavours. They can be made ahead of time and are a great option for those on a budget. Olives and cheese can also be served as simple snacks, with a drizzle of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs, or as cranberry olive cheese skewers, perfect for last-minute appetizers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Appetizer, snack, side |
| Presentation | Skewers, ring, bowl, platter, board |
| Cheese | Cream, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, pepper jack, Colby, Swiss, white cheddar |
| Olives | Green, black, Kalamata, garlic stuffed, red pepper stuffed |
| Other ingredients | Olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, basil, garlic, rosemary, oregano, thyme, cranberries, peppers, pepperoncini, pimiento |
| Storage | Refrigerate, covered, for up to 2-4 days |
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What You'll Learn

Olives and cheese as a party appetiser
Olives and cheese are a great combination to serve as a party appetiser. Here are some ideas on how to prepare and serve them:
Marinated Olive and Cheese Ring
This elegant appetiser is visually appealing and temptingly delicious. It can be made ahead of time and is perfect for any occasion, especially one with an Italian-inspired menu. To make it, you'll need cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and olives. Cut the cream cheese lengthwise in half, then cut each half into 1/4-inch slices. On a serving plate, arrange the cheese slices in a ring, alternating between the cheddar and cream cheese. Place the olives in the centre.
For the marinade, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil, and garlic until blended. Drizzle the marinade over the cheese and olives, then sprinkle with pimientos. Refrigerate the appetiser, covered, for at least 8 hours or overnight. Serve with baguette slices, crackers, or bread.
Cranberry Olive Cheese Skewers
These easy party appetisers are perfect for any occasion and can be made in just 15 minutes. You'll need pitted olives (green or black), dried cranberries, and cheese (white cheddar, red cheddar, or feta). Cut the cheese into cubes. To assemble, thread a dried cranberry halfway through a toothpick, then add an olive, and finally, stick the toothpick into a cheese cube. Repeat until all ingredients are used. You can serve these skewers right away, or chill them for 30-60 minutes.
Marinated Cheese and Olives
This appetiser is simple to prepare and perfect for serving at a party. Cube some cheese—you can use any type you like. Add the cheese cubes and olives to a bowl. Make a marinade by whisking together olive oil and vinegar, and Italian seasoning. Drizzle the marinade over the cheese and olives, then stir to coat. Refrigerate for 2 hours. You can serve this appetiser straight from the fridge, or let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes to soften the cheese.
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Marinated olive and cheese ring
To make the marinated olive and cheese ring, you will need the following ingredients: cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, olives, vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil, garlic, and pimientos. You can also add other types of cheese such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or fresh mozzarella and meats such as pepperoni and salami.
- Cut the cream cheese block in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1/4-inch slices.
- Cut the cheddar cheese into 1/4-inch slices as well.
- On a serving plate or platter, arrange the cheese slices upright in a ring, alternating between the cream cheese and cheddar cheese slices.
- Place the olives in the center of the ring.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil, and garlic until well blended. You can also add sugar, celery salt, and red chili flakes to the mix if you like.
- Drizzle the dressing over the cheeses and olives, making sure to cover them evenly.
- Sprinkle the pimientos over the top.
- Cover the plate or platter and refrigerate for at least eight hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the cheeses to soften.
- Serve with baguette slices or crackers on the side.
This appetizer can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. It is recommended to serve it with additional toasted French bread baguette slices or crackers. Enjoy!
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Cranberry olive cheese skewers
Olives and cheese are a classic combination that can be served in many ways, one of which is cranberry olive cheese skewers. This simple yet impressive appetizer is perfect for any occasion and can be easily customized to your taste preferences. Here is a step-by-step guide to making these delicious bites:
Ingredients:
- Cheese of your choice (white or red cheddar, feta, or cream cheese)
- Olives (green or black, preferably stuffed)
- Dried cranberries (plain, no sugar)
- Olive oil
- Herbs (oregano, basil, thyme, or rosemary)
- Toothpicks
Instructions:
Begin by cutting the cheese into bite-sized cubes and setting them aside. In a separate small bowl, combine the drained olives with olive oil and your choice of herbs. Mix this well. To assemble the skewers, start by threading a dried cranberry onto a toothpick about halfway through. Then, add an olive to the same toothpick, pushing it down towards the cranberry. Finally, skewer a cheese cube, ensuring the olive and cranberry are not too far up the toothpick. Repeat this process until you have used up all your ingredients.
Serving Suggestions:
These cranberry olive cheese skewers can be served immediately or chilled for about 30-60 minutes. They can be made up to 2 hours in advance and stored covered or in an airtight container. You can also prepare the cheese and other ingredients ahead of time and assemble the skewers just before serving. This appetizer pairs well with bread or crackers and can be part of a crudités board of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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How to store leftover olives and cheese
Storing leftover olives depends on the type of olive and how they were packaged. If you have leftover olives in brine, make sure they remain covered in liquid and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you bought them from an olive bar at the supermarket, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. If they are dry-cured in salt, store them dry in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftover canned olives can be stored in a sealed container with the liquid in the refrigerator for about a week.
Olives bought in bulk and stored steeped in oil can last several months in the refrigerator. However, it is important to note that preserving produce under oil long-term can be a botulism hazard, so be sure to read up on all ingredients you add before doing that. Discard olives that have turned soft.
Now, let's talk about storing leftover cheese. Storing leftover cheese depends on the type of cheese. Leftover feta cheese, for example, can be stored in olive oil, which helps maintain its moisture content, ensuring it stays soft and moist. It also enhances the taste of the cheese by creating a symphony of flavours. When storing feta cheese in olive oil, ensure that every piece of cheese is fully submerged in the oil to prevent spoilage.
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Olives and cheese as a low-carb snack
Olives and cheese are a delicious, elegant, and healthy snack option. They are perfect as a low-carb snack, appetiser, or party platter and can be prepared in advance.
To make a simple yet impressive marinated olive and cheese snack, start by preparing a vinaigrette. In a bowl, mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, rosemary, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. You can also add sugar, celery salt, and chilli flakes to the dressing if you wish. Cube some cheese—a sharp cheddar works well, but you can use any variety, such as Swiss, Colby, mozzarella, or pepper jack. Use a combination of black and green olives for a pretty contrast and a variety of flavours. Pour the dressing over the cheese and olives and stir until everything is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, or even overnight, to allow the flavours to meld.
You can serve the marinated olives and cheese in a bowl with a slotted spoon, or spread out on a platter. They can also be served as bite-sized skewers, with the addition of dried cranberries. Simply thread a cranberry, an olive, and a cube of cheese onto a toothpick. You can prepare these up to two hours in advance and keep them covered until serving.
Olives and cheese are a great, healthy snack option, full of vitamin E and good fats. They are a perfect, low-effort, low-carb snack to impress your guests or to enjoy yourself any time of day.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to serve olives and cheese as an appetiser. You could make a marinated olive and cheese ring, a cheese board, or cranberry olive cheese skewers.
To make a marinated olive and cheese ring, you will need to cut the cream cheese lengthwise in half, and then cut each half into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange the cream cheese and cheddar cheese slices upright in a ring on a serving plate, alternating between the two cheeses. Place olives in the centre. Drizzle with a marinade made from olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, basil, and parsley. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Serve with baguette slices.
To make a cheese board with olives, you can simply add marinated olives to the board. You can marinate the olives in olive oil, rosemary, vinegar, and garlic. You could also add other items to the board, such as meats, pickled vegetables, dips, mustards, and jams.
To make cranberry olive cheese skewers, thread a dried cranberry halfway through a toothpick, then add an olive and stick this into a cheese cube. Repeat until you have used up all the ingredients. You can use any type of cheese and olive, but it is recommended to use pitted olives. You can use dried oregano, basil, or thyme for herbs.
It is recommended to marinate olives and cheese for at least 8 hours or overnight. However, if you are making cranberry olive cheese skewers, you can prepare the cheese and assemble the skewers right before serving.

























