Buzz
Though olives and capers are distinct fruits, their taste and uses are remarkably similar. Both offer a sharp, salty punch, making them fantastic for snacking with a refreshing aperitif, adding to salads, or blending into a rich tapenade that pairs beautifully with hearty bread. Here are our top picks for enjoying olives and capers, from the simplest (roasting them) to the more adventurous (grinding them for popcorn seasoning).
Air fry some olives for a crispy, savory snack
It feels like I’m repeating myself, but I’ve already shared everything I wanted to about these air-fried gems, so I’ll do just that:
Roasting olives in the air fryer makes them fragrant and indulgent, but the bonus of air frying is the richer, nuttier taste from a touch of browning. The flesh becomes soft and tender, and thanks to the slight evaporation during roasting, it’s also a bit more substantial and incredibly savory. They’re still olives, but they’re concentrated olives. Honestly, I can’t think of a single downside.
Find the full method here.
Crisp up capers in the air fryer for a tasty drinking snack or garnish
While air-fried olives become lightly browned and slightly juicy, air-fried capers turn into delightful, crispy morsels. I enjoy them like tiny pieces of popcorn, paired with a chilled martini.
Heat olives in a fragrant oil for a luxurious treat
A bowl of marinated olives is always a welcome addition to any snack spread, but warming them in a fragrant, herb-infused oil elevates them to something special and indulgent—because your guests deserve a little intentional indulgence.
Create lemon-caper popcorn
Did you know that you can dry capers in the microwave, then grind them into a savory, slightly tangy powder that’s perfect for sprinkling over popcorn? You absolutely can, and you absolutely should. Then add some lemon zest, because the combination of lemon and caper is a match made in flavor heaven.
Marinate your chicken in feta and capers
A mixture of feta cheese and capers works wonders as a flavorful marinade, not only seasoning but also tenderizing even the driest chicken breast. Add a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
Place olives in your waffle iron
Waffled cheese-stuffed olives may not be the most glamorous dish, but they’re undeniably fun. Here’s the rundown:
The waffle iron presses and
heats the olives
, creating charming little crispy divots and ridges, while the cheese inside melts and fries in the iron, turning golden and crunchy at the edges.
Choose a large, pitted olive (like Castelvetrano), and fill it with a firm—but not crumbly—cheese.
Cook capers in duck fat
If you don’t have an air fryer but still want to enjoy the crispy delight of capers, you can fry them in duck fat, then scatter them over salads, pastas, rice, or simply pop them into your mouth as a savory treat.
Add an olive to your spritz
Olives aren’t just for martinis. Adding a briny olive to a sweetish drink may seem unusual, but it enhances the aperitif with a burst of salty, pungent flavor, balancing out the sweetness, bitterness, and acidity of the drink.
Encourage olive enjoyment by placing a single pit in a ramekin
It can be a bit tricky to get guests to dive into a beautifully arranged charcuterie and cheese spread with all its accompanying nibbles. To create a welcoming, “go ahead and dig in” atmosphere, try placing an olive pit (or two) in a ramekin, so no one feels shy about reaching for those olives.
