Vegetarian Vegan Crispy Olive Tapenade with Smoked Paprika
Briny, smoky, and deeply savory, this olive tapenade is the kind of appetizer that disappears from the table before you've even finished setting it out. Two types of olives — Kalamata and green — get blitzed with capers, garlic, lemon, and a generous hit of smoked paprika into a rough, spreadable paste that's bold without being one-note. What really sets this apart is the crispy topping: sliced Kalamata olives roasted at high heat until their edges shrivel and firm up, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. The whole thing comes together with pantry staples and a food processor, making it far more impressive than the effort involved. Since every ingredient here is entirely plant-based, it works beautifully for anyone cooking without meat or animal products — no substitutions needed, no corners cut. Pile it onto crackers or sliced baguette, finish with a drizzle of good olive oil and a scatter of fresh parsley, and you've got a spread that looks like it came from a Mediterranean bistro.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the tapenade
- 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, drained and patted dry
- ½ cup pitted green olives, drained and patted dry
- 2 tbsp capers, drained
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the crispy topping
- ⅓ cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced into rounds
- 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- crackers or sliced baguette, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Toss the sliced Kalamata olives for the crispy topping with 1 tsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, then spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 18–22 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the edges are shriveled and the slices feel dry and slightly firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan — they will crisp further as they cool.
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