Fried Capers

Fried capers are crisp, golden, and bursting with flavour! Ready in minutes, they add a briny tang and great texture to salads, pastas, and more.

Fried capers are a simple yet transformative ingredient that can add a burst of flavor and a delightful crunch to a variety of dishes.

These little green gems, once fried, become crispy and golden, offering a unique combination of briny tang and satisfying texture.

Making fried capers is incredibly easy and quick, requiring just a few minutes and minimal ingredients.

They're perfect for enhancing salads, pastas, fish dishes, and more, providing a gourmet touch with minimal effort.

I love adding them to dishes like Caprese Pasta Salad, Spinach Goat Cheese Pasta or into a Grilled Halloumi Sandwich.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• Variations
• Storage
• Top tips
• FAQs
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: You can whip up fried capers in less than 10 minutes.
• Flavorful: They add a unique briny, tangy flavor that enhances many dishes.
• Versatile: Use them in salads, pastas, on fish, or as a garnish.
• Impressive: They provide a gourmet touch with minimal effort.
• Textural Contrast: Their crunchiness adds an interesting texture to your meals.

What Are Capers?

Capers are the pickled flower buds of the caper bush (Capparis spinosa), commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine.

They have a sharp, tangy flavor that adds a distinctive punch to dishes. Capers are often used in sauces, salads, and as a garnish.

Types of Capers to Use

Capers come in various sizes, from small nonpareil capers to larger caper berries.

For frying, small capers are ideal because they get uniformly crispy and offer a perfect bite-sized crunch.

Nonpareil capers are the most commonly used type due to their delicate texture and flavor.

What do Fried Capers Taste Like?

Fried capers have a unique taste that combines the original briny tang of capers with a new, nutty richness from frying.

They become crispy, adding a delightful texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy interior.

The frying process also enhances their umami qualities, making them a flavorful addition to many dishes.

How Does Frying Them Change Them?

Frying capers transforms their texture from soft and briny to crispy and crunchy.

The process also mellows their intense tanginess, creating a more complex and balanced flavor profile.

The result is a delightful, nutty taste that adds a gourmet touch to any dish.

Ingredients

• Capers: Small and tangy, they transform when fried. Use small capers for the best texture.
• Olive Oil: The base for frying, it adds a subtle fruity flavor. You can substitute with vegetable oil if needed.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Pat the capers dry with a clean tea towel or paper towel. This will stop the capers from splattering in the hot oil.

Line a plate with paper towel and set aside.

Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping one caper in - if it sizzles it’s ready to cook the whole batch.

When the oil is hot add the capers and fry, stirring often, until golden and crispy - about 2-3 minutes.

Remove the fried capers with a slotted spoon.

Drain on the plate with kitchen paper.

Serving Suggestions

• Salads: Sprinkle on top for a crunchy, tangy element. Check out these 28 Tasty Healthy Salad Recipes.
• Pasta: Use as a garnish on creamy or tomato-based pastas. Try them with Pink Sauce Pasta (Rosatella Sauce).
• Fish: Perfect as a topping for grilled or baked fish.
• Avocado Toast: Add for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
• Soups: Sprinkle on creamy soups like potato or cauliflower for a pop of flavor. I love them on Celery and Stilton Soup.

Variations

• Herbed Capers: Add a sprig of rosemary or thyme to the oil for an aromatic twist.
• Spicy Capers: Sprinkle a pinch of chili flakes into the oil for a bit of heat.
• Lemon Fried Capers: Toss the fried capers with some lemon zest for a fresh, citrusy flavor.
• Garlic: Add a minced garlic clove to the oil for a garlicky twist.
• Parmesan: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan immediately after frying for a cheesy flavor.
• Smoked Paprika: Toss the fried capers with a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky taste.
• Truffle Oil: Drizzle a bit of truffle oil over the fried capers for an indulgent touch.
• Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

Storage

Store: Fried capers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. They don't freeze well, as they lose their crispiness upon thawing.

FAQs

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