Description
Fried Olives with Garlic Aioli are briny green olives lightly breaded and fried until golden, then dipped into a smooth, garlicky homemade aioli that’s pure flavor heaven. They’re everything but ordinary.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 jar (about 6 oz) large green olives (stuffed or unstuffed), drained and patted dry
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1–2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs or panko
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Neutral oil for frying (like canola or vegetable)
- For the garlic aioli:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp Dijon mustard or a pinch of cayenne
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit in the fridge while you fry the olives—this gives the flavors time to blend.
- Drain and pat olives completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting the coating to stick.
- Set up your breading station with three bowls: flour in one, beaten eggs in another, and seasoned breadcrumbs in the third. Dredge each olive in flour, dip into egg, then roll in breadcrumbs until well coated.
- Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a small saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry olives in batches for about 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with garlic aioli on the side and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Dry your olives well—helps the breading stick. Use a thermometer for frying—350°F is the sweet spot for golden, not greasy. Don’t overcrowd the pan—fry in small batches for even cooking. Keep the aioli chilled—it’s best cold against the hot, crispy olives. Make extra! These disappear fast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: fried olives, garlic aioli, appetizer, crispy snack, Mediterranean