How To Crisp Up Capers For A Crunchy Snack

If you've ever dug into a creamy, indulgent lox bagel sandwich, you may have been surprised by a juicy pop of tang in your mouth. Particularly if you're visiting a Jewish establishment in New York City, although these types of bagels are available nationwide, you may find your cream cheese, lox, tomato, and onion bagel topped with little green balls that taste like pickle brine. These small garnishes are called capers and they're often used to bring a salty, acidic bite to whatever recipe they're in.

Capers come from the caper bush, which is native to the Mediterranean and Asia, and are the result of drying and pickling the unripe bud. Besides breakfast bagels, you'll most often find capers in chicken piccata and pasta puttanesca. However, you should always keep them in your pantry to toss over salads, soups, pizza, or popcorn, where they contrast particularly well with rich ingredients.

If you're a fan of pickled flavors, like the ones in olives, you may also enjoy cooking them in this unique way.

It's no secret that vinegary, salty snacks pair well with an alcoholic beverage. In fact, there's a scientific reason for the combination. According to Queensland Health, drinking liquor dehydrates you, making your body crave salty snacks that help restore electrolytes and water. But while olives and mixed nuts are typical bar snacks, a delicious option that you won't find in most establishments is air fried capers. Not only are these little treats tangy and salty, but throwing capers in the air fryer makes their skin turn perfectly crispy. All you need to do, according to Life Hacker, is dry out your capers, toss them in a little oil, and air fry them in the bottom of the basket for up to seven minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can air fry your capers by themselves for a delicious snack, or as a topping for other foods. Try making crispy air fried lemon caper toast, for example, which involves mashing capers with lemon zest and butter on a piece of bread, and throwing the whole thing in the air fryer (via HEB). If you don't have an air fryer, you can fry capers using more conventional methods. Bon Appétit recommends dropping them in hot oil on the stove for up to three minutes, then letting them drain. Finally, grab your favorite alcoholic drink and enjoy — or don't, as these snacks are just as delicious on their own.