Grenki with Garlic (Video)

These Grenki with Garlic (Гренки с чесноком) are made with Rye Bread (ideally Borodinksy Russian Rye Bread), perfect with a bowl of Borsch or with an ice cold beer. Instructions include the classic Pan Fried method and a quick Air Fryer way. You'll make these Garlic Rye Bread Croutons again and again, the perfect dude food snack, appetizer or side dish.

You'll love this Grenki recipe because they're so easy to make, especially with the Air Fryer (аэрогриль). Ready in under 15 minutes, nice and crunchy with an easy sour cream dip for the Grenki. Budget friendly a bit of nostalgia that tastes great.

Ingredients

• Dark Rye Bread - Borodinsky is best
• Garlic Cloves
• Oil - Sunflower or Vegetable Oil
• Butter
• Salt
• Grenki Dipping Sauce - Sour Cream, Garlic, Dill

What You'll Need

• Frying Pan
• Cutting Board and Knife
• Garlic Press
• Tongs
• Bowl for Tossing
• Air Fryer - if using this method
• Basting Brush - for Air Fryer Method

How to Make Grenki

1. Slice Bread - thinly slice off the crust off the Rye Bread. Cut bread into cubed sticks, about ¾ inches thick (2cm) and 3 inches long (8cm).
2. Season Oil - add 3 tablespoons Oil into a heat frying pan over medium-high heat. Cut 3 Garlic Cloves in half and toss into oil. Fry for about 1 minute until Garlic flavor is released into the oil. Remove Garlic. Melt a pat of butter in oil for richer flavor.
3. Fry the Bread - add Bread Sticks into frying pan in a single layer. Using tongs, flip over and cook on all sides. This should take 4-6 minutes until crispy on the outside. Remove into a bowl.
4. Toss in Garlic - press remaining Garlic Cloves through Garlic Press over the Fried Grenki. Using your hands, toss with the hot fried breadsticks together until coated. Season with Salt.
5. Serve - stack cross hatched, garnish with fresh parsley or grated hard cheese (optional), and serve immediately while hot and crispy with Grenki Dipping Sauce.
6. Grenki Sauce - mix together 1 cup Sour Cream, freshly chopped Dill and 2 cloves of Garlic. Serve alongside Grenki.

Air Fryer Grenki (в аэрогриле)

1. Prepare Bread - slice into cubed sticks, just as the traditional Pan Fried method.
2. Make Garlic Oil - press 3 Cloves of Garlic through Garlic Press and mix with 4 tablespoons of Oil.
3. Coat - using a Basting Brush, evenly coat Garlic Oil on all sides of the Bread Sticks. (Optional: allow to sit for 5 minutes for flavor to infuse)
4. Preheat - warm air fryer to 355°F (180°C).
5. Air Fry - place Bread Sticks in a single layer in the Air Fryer Basket. Air Fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking half way through. Keep an eye on them after 6 minutes so they don't burn, but still nice and crispy.
6. Serve - season with salt, garnish and serve with Grenki Dipping Sauce.

Grenki Flavor Ideas

• Bacon Grenki - pan fry diced bacon, then cook the Bread Sticks in the Bacon fat for a richer flavor. Serve with the fried bacon, or add bacon into the Sour Cream dip
• Herb Grenki - add herbs to your seasoned oil - like chopped Rosemary, Oregano or even Smoked Paprika
• Garlic Butter Grenki - you can use store-bought Garlic Butter, melt it and brush over the bread
• Cheese Grenki - this is restaurant style, garnish with grated Parmesan Cheese or any hard cheese, can even melt cheese over Grenki before serving
• Grenki Dips - instead of the classic Sour Cream dip, serve with a Horseradish Sour Cream Sauce, Georgian Adjika, Tzatziki or creamy Honey Mustard

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Stale Bread - using day old bread is best, as fresh bread is too moist
• Double Recipe - this goes fast, you'll want to double the recipe, keep in oven to keep warm while cooking the second batch, make more than you think you'll need
• Neutral Oils - any oil without flavor works great like Sunflower, Canola, Grapeseed, Vegetable, Avocado or Rice Bran Oil. Avoid Olive Oils.
• Garlic Infused Oils - use infused oil for extra flavor
• Make Extra Sauce - trust me, the garlicky dipping sauce goes fast, be generous and make extra!
• No Overcrowding - in both the Air Fryer and Frying Pan, keep it in a single layer so it crisps evenly

Can I Make Grenki in Advance?

Grenki are best cooked and served immediately. However, you can make a few hours in advance and re-heat in the Air Fryer or crisp up in the oven.

Can I Bake Grenki Instead of Frying?

Yes. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes. You can either brush with Garlic Oil before baking, or toss in Garlic Oil afterwards, or during the last 2 minutes, and place bake in oven to crisp up.

Can I Use White Bread?

In a word... No. These aren't the same as classic croutons. The bread should be a heavy, dark Rye Bread for a hearty flavor. Borodinsky Bread is traditionally used, can find in Eastern European delis.

Storage and Reheating

• Storing Grenki - allow to cook and place in airtight container for 2 days.
• Reheating - place in Air Fryer at 355°F (180°C) for 3-4 minutes. Alternatively heat at same temperature in the oven for about 5-6 minutes.

Grenki Serving Suggestions

• Soup - serve alongside Solyanka, Borsch, Solyanka or Shchi Cabbage Soup
• Beer Snack - think Russian pub food, enjoy with Beer, smoked meats and Dill Pickles
• Charcuterie - add this to your meat and cheese platter for something new
• Zakuski - add this to your Russian feast as an appetizer, alongside Olivier Salad, Smoked Salmon or Herring, Kholodetz, Pickled Cabbage, Herring Under a Fur Coat or even Caviar Blinis

Whether you Pan Fry Grenki or Air Fry Grenki (гренки в аэрогриле), this is a tasty and appetizing snack that captures the flavors of Russia and Eastern Europe. Maximum flavor, minimum fuss, once you try them you'll be hooked. Watch the how to video and hear the crunch! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com