Kepta duona with garlic. The cheese sauce is optional. AI-generated illustration created for LithuaniaLinks.
What kepta duona is
The bread should still taste of rye beneath the garlic. Fried sticks have a crisp outside and a firmer, chewy centre. The cheese sauce is an addition, so a plate of kepta duona need not arrive covered in cheese.
Its place on the table
Fried bread with cheese was among the snacks selected for Lithuania's national menu in 2020. It belongs alongside the larger dishes in a food guide, even if you only order a bowl to share.
Ordering it in Lithuania
Kepta duona su česnaku means fried bread with garlic; su sūriu adds cheese. Check the menu description if you want the plain version.
Getting the texture right
Choose dense rye bread. Add the garlic after frying so it does not burn, and serve while the bread is crisp.
Home recipe
Garlic fried rye bread with optional cheese sauce
4 portions
Approx. 400 kcal per serving · With cheese sauce
Recipe adapted from: Ieva · Taste of Lithuania.
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- Preparation
- 15 minutes
- Cooking
- 15 minutes
- Total
- 30 minutes
Ingredients
Add only what you need, or add the whole recipe at once.
Bread
- 300 g rye bread
- Neutral oil, for frying
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
Optional cheese sauce
- 100 g finely grated young Gouda
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 to 3 tbsp cold water
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder, optional
Method
- Cut the loaf into short sticks about 1.5 to 2 cm thick.
- Shallow-fry in batches over medium heat, turning after 1 to 2 minutes. Remove when the sides are browned and crisp.
- Toss the hot bread with the fresh garlic and salt.
- For the sauce, gently warm the cheese, mayonnaise and 2 tbsp water together. Stir until smooth; loosen with the remaining water if needed. Stir in the garlic powder if using the listed optional ingredient.
- Serve at once, with the sauce alongside or spooned over some of the bread.
Ingredient information: Rye and possibly wheat; Milk in the sauce; Egg in the mayonnaise. Check the labels of bought ingredients.
Energy estimate
Approx. 400 kcal per serving
Reference servings per batch: 4. 1/4 of the batch, including the optional cheese sauce.
Calculation details
Assumes 40 g frying oil is retained by the whole batch and includes all the cheese sauce. Without the sauce, the same bread portion is about 290 kcal.
Calculated from ingredient quantities and the stated reference serving, rounded to the nearest 10 kcal. Brands, portion size and retained frying fat affect the result.
