The Zesty Fried Olives With Garlic Aioli Recipe Everyone Loves

Crispy, golden fried olives with garlic aioli spark unexpected culinary magic in your kitchen.

Mediterranean flavors burst from these delectable little bites.

Plump olives transform when coated in a light, crunchy breading that crackles with each bite.

Garlic aioli adds a creamy, zesty companion to the olive’s rich taste.

Salt and herbs dance together, creating a simple yet sophisticated appetizer.

Unexpected textures make this recipe a conversation starter at any gathering.

You’ll want to savor every single crisp, flavor-packed morsel.

Why Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli Are A Must-Try Appetizer

• Tackle Appetizer Challenges: Breaded olives offer a simple yet impressive cooking technique perfect for home cooks looking to elevate their starter game.
• Customize Flavor Profiles: Versatile recipe allows personalization through seasoned breadcrumbs, creating unique taste combinations every time you prepare the dish.
• Quick Party Pleaser: These crispy olives deliver restaurant-quality appetizers with minimal preparation, making them ideal for spontaneous gatherings and social events.
• Minimal Ingredient Investment: Using basic pantry staples like flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs ensures you can create a delicious snack without extensive shopping.

Everything You Need For Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• Green Olives: These tangy, briny olives form the core of the crispy appetizer.

• Flour: Provides a dry base layer that helps egg wash and breadcrumbs adhere to the olives.
• Eggs: Create a sticky binding layer for the breadcrumb coating.
• Breadcrumbs: Deliver a crunchy, golden exterior when fried.
• Oregano: Adds an aromatic herb flavor to the breadcrumb coating.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall seasoning of the breading.

• Vegetable Oil: Serves as the medium for deep-frying the olives to crispy perfection.
• Garlic Cloves: Provide a bold, pungent flavor for the dipping sauce.
• Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the garlic aioli.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and tanginess to the aioli.

How To Cook Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Olives

Drain green olives completely and use paper towels to dry them thoroughly. This ensures the breading will stick perfectly to each olive.

Step 2: Set Up Breading Station

• Flour for first dredging
• Whisked eggs for binding
• Seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with oregano, salt, and pepper for final coating

Step 3: Coat Olives

• First, coat in flour
• Next, dip in egg wash
• Finally, cover completely with seasoned breadcrumbs

Step 4: Heat Oil

Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot until it reaches 350°F. Make sure there’s enough oil to fully submerge the olives.

Step 5: Fry Olives

Gently drop breaded olives into hot oil in small batches. Avoid overcrowding to maintain consistent cooking temperature.

Step 6: Achieve Golden Crispiness

Fry olives for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown exterior that’s crispy and delightful.

Step 7: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer fried olives using a slotted spoon onto a wire rack or paper towels. Let excess oil drip away.

Step 8: Whip Up Garlic Aioli

• Finely minced garlic
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 9: Create Smooth Aioli

Whisk all aioli ingredients until they blend into a creamy, tangy sauce with perfect consistency.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the hot, crispy fried olives immediately alongside the freshly made garlic aioli. Serve while they’re at peak crunchiness and temperature.

Tips For The Best Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• Dry Olives Thoroughly: Ensure olives are completely dry after draining to help breadcrumbs stick perfectly and create a crispy coating.
• Organize Breading Station: Set up three separate dishes with flour, egg wash, and seasoned breadcrumbs for smooth, systematic coating of each olive.
• Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistent at 350°F and fry olives in small batches to achieve an even, golden-brown crispy exterior without burning.
• Create Perfect Aioli: Mince garlic finely and whisk with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a creamy, tangy dipping sauce that complements the fried olives.
• Serve Immediately Hot: Drain fried olives on a wire rack or paper towels and serve right away to enjoy maximum crispiness and flavor.

Different Takes On Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• Gluten-Free Green Olive Poppers: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch as an alternative coating for crispy texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Olives: Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to breadcrumb mixture. Incorporate smoked paprika for extra heat and depth of flavor.
• Herb-Infused Olive Bites: Mix fresh chopped herbs like thyme, basil, or parsley into breadcrumb coating. Create a zesty herb-based dipping sauce using Greek yogurt and fresh herbs.
• Vegan Olive Fritters: Substitute eggs with aquafaba or plant-based egg replacer. Use nutritional yeast in breadcrumb mixture for cheesy flavor and use vegan mayonnaise for aioli.

Great Dips And Sips With Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the salty, crispy olives and cut through the rich, fried texture.
• Cocktail Companion: Mix a zesty gin martini with a lemon twist, which enhances the briny olive flavor and matches the garlic aioli's bright, tangy profile.
• Perfect Appetizer Partner: Serve alongside a light Mediterranean mezze platter featuring hummus, tzatziki, and fresh pita bread to create a harmonious tapestry of Mediterranean flavors.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Pour a cold, hoppy craft pilsner that provides a clean, crisp counterpoint to the olives' deep-fried richness and helps cleanse the palate between bites.

Best Way To Store Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• Store cooled fried olives in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap completely cooled olives individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag for maximum 1 month, ensuring thorough sealing to prevent freezer burn.
• Spread olives on baking sheet, warm at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until crispy exterior returns, rotating midway to ensure even heating and restore original crunchiness.
• Arrange olives in single layer, heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking basket halfway through to guarantee even rewarming and maintain original texture.

Top Questions About Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli

• How do I prevent breading from falling off the olives?

Thoroughly dry olives with paper towels and follow the three-step coating process: flour, egg wash, then breadcrumbs. This ensures better adhesion and a crispy, uniform coating.

• What type of olives work best for this recipe?

Green olives are ideal due to their firm texture and tangy flavor. Choose pitted olives for easier preparation and consistent size.

• Can I make these olives ahead of time?

Prepare the breaded olives in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before frying. This helps set the breading and maintains the coating’s integrity.

Fried Olives With Garlic Aioli Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy fried olives with garlic aioli offer a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer that brings bold flavor and irresistible crunch to any gathering. Perfectly seasoned and golden-brown, these little bites will surprise and delight guests with their unexpected texture and rich, garlicky finish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups green olives
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs

Frying and Seasoning:

• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Garlic Aioli:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Drain green olives thoroughly and pat completely dry using paper towels to ensure optimal coating adhesion.
2. Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Systematically coat each olive by first rolling in flour, then dipping in egg wash, and finally covering entirely with seasoned breadcrumbs.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F, ensuring sufficient depth for complete olive submersion.
5. Carefully lower breaded olives into hot oil in small batches, preventing overcrowding and maintaining consistent temperature.
6. Fry olives for 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally, until they transform into a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
7. Remove fried olives using a slotted spoon and place on wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
8. For garlic aioli, mince garlic cloves finely and combine with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
9. Whisk aioli ingredients until smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy, tangy dipping sauce.
10. Serve hot fried olives immediately alongside prepared garlic aioli for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Drain olives meticulously to prevent soggy breading and ensure crisp, golden exterior during frying.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunchiness, creating a lighter and more delicate coating on the olives.
• Choose briny, firm green olives like Castelvetrano for best texture and flavor profile in this appetizer.
• Experiment with alternative dipping sauces like spicy sriracha mayo or herb-infused Greek yogurt for dietary variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg