We came across this fried basil leaves recipe quite by accident when a friend of ours served them at a barbeque. They were a huge hit with everyone. It seemed so simple and yet people were genuinely disappointed when they were gone.
When we made them at home, the kids loved them too. They are so easy to make, so give them a try to see if you get the same reaction we did.
Fried basil leaves are a crispy and delicious snack. Serve them as an appetizer or place them on top of pasta or salad for a fun twist of flavor.
Be careful....deep fried basil can become addictive!
Ingredients:
16 large fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
olive oil
salt, to taste
Preparation:
In a shallow bowl, whisk the flour and water together to form a smooth, milky consistency. Pour 3/4 inch of olive oil into a heavy saute pan and heat until a drop of the batter rises to the top immediately.
Dredge the basil leaves in the batter and fry in small batches, about 1 minute per side or until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels and immediately season with salt.
Other Appetizer Recipes
Why just use one basil recipe? Here are some other basil appetizer recipes to consider.