Trader Joe’s fried olives are a delicious and unique appetizer that is easy to make at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make this tasty snack.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) jar pitted kalamata olives, drained
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1⁄2 cup olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Drain the olives well and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Working in batches, dredge the olives in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the olives in the egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the olives in the panko breadcrumbs until well coated on all sides.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, fry the olives until golden brown all over, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Allow the fried olives to cool slightly before serving, garnished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Tips
- Be sure the olives are dried well before breading to help the coating stick.
- Use a slotted spoon or spatula to carefully add and flip the olives in the oil to prevent them from sticking together.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and lowering the oil temperature.
- Letting the fried olives cool slightly helps them firm up after frying.
- Store any leftover fried olives in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Fried olives make a great starter or party appetizer. Here are some serving ideas:
- Serve as an appetizer with drinks at a cocktail party
- Use as a topping on salads or pizza
- Skewer on toothpicks for an easy finger food
- Garnish charcuterie or cheese boards
- Add to an antipasto platter
Nutrition
Here is the nutrition information for a serving of 4 fried olives:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 71 |
| Fat | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Protein | 1g |
Substitutions
Customize this recipe with these substitutions:
- Olives: Use any variety of pitted olive such as Castelvetrano, Kalamata, Picholine, etc.
- Breading: Instead of panko, use crushed crackers, corn flakes, or cornmeal for crunch.
- Oil: Swap out olive oil for another neutral, high-heat oil like vegetable or canola.
- Herbs: Season the breading with dried herbs like oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.
Storage
Properly stored fried olives will keep for:
- Room Temperature: 2-3 days
- Refrigerator: 5-7 days
- Freezer: 2-3 months
Allow refrigerated or frozen fried olives to come fully to room temperature before crisping them up again in a 400°F oven for about 5 minutes.
Conclusion
With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily recreate the addictive crunch of Trader Joe’s famous fried olives. Their bold, briny flavor is taken to new heights when coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden. Fry up a batch for your next party or serve as a garnish for salads and charcuterie boards. Just be prepared for requests for the recipe once your guests get a taste!