Kepta Duona (Lithuanian Fried Garlic Rye Bread)
Local name: Kepta duona
In short: Sticks of dark rye bread fried until crisp, rubbed with fresh garlic and served with a creamy garlic-cheese dip, the classic Lithuanian beer snack. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 460 kcal
Kepta duona, or fried bread, is the snack Lithuanians order with beer. Dark rye bread is cut into sticks, fried until crunchy outside and still chewy inside, then rubbed with raw garlic while hot so the clove melts into the crust. A thick dip of grated cheese, garlic and mayonnaise or sour cream goes alongside. It is simple, salty and disappears fast, so make a generous batch.
Instructions
- Stir the cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and crushed garlic together in a bowl for the dip. Cover and chill.
- Cut the bread into sticks about 1 cm (1/2 in) thick and 7 cm (3 in) long. Day-old bread holds its shape in the oil.
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot to 180°C (350°F), so it is about 5 cm (2 in) deep.
- Fry the bread in 3 batches for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- While the sticks are still hot, rub each lightly with the cut side of a garlic clove and sprinkle with the salt.
- Serve right away with the cheese dip.
Tips
- Use bread that is a day old but not hard. Very fresh rye soaks up oil and turns greasy.
- For a lighter version, toss the sticks in 3 tablespoons of oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once.
Questions and answers
Can I make kepta duona ahead of time?
It is best eaten within minutes. You can fry it up to 2 hours ahead, then recrisp in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 4 minutes and rub with garlic.
What bread should I use for kepta duona?
A dense, dark rye with a firm crumb, such as a Baltic-style rye loaf. Soft sandwich rye falls apart in the oil.
Can I make fried rye bread without deep frying?
Yes. Toss the sticks in oil and bake them until crisp. They will be a little less rich, but the garlic and the dip carry the flavor.
How long does it take to make Kepta Duona (Lithuanian Fried Garlic Rye Bread)?
About 25 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kepta Duona (Lithuanian Fried Garlic Rye Bread)?
About 460 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 460 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
