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The Ultimate Crispy Fried Pickles Recipe (Restaurant-Style & Air Fryer Options)

A pile of crispy, golden brown Fried Pickles served on a white plate next to a small bowl of creamy dipping sauce.
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Learn how to make perfectly crispy, tangy fried pickles at home. This recipe includes instructions for classic deep-fried pickles and a lighter, crunchy air fryer version, complete with a zesty dipping sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 jar (16 ounces) dill pickle chips, drained well
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying (or cooking spray for air fryer)
  • For Dipping Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pickles: Lay the drained pickle chips on several layers of paper towels and pat them completely dry. Moisture prevents crispiness.
  2. Set up the dredging stations: In one shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In a second dish, whisk the eggs and milk together. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Coat the pickles: Working in small batches, dredge the dry pickle chips first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip them into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press them firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place the coated pickles on a clean, dry baking sheet.
  4. Prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, lemon juice, and dried dill. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
  5. For Deep Frying: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully drop the breaded pickles into the hot oil in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  6. For Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded pickles in a single layer (you will need to work in batches). Lightly spray the tops of the pickles with cooking spray. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crunchy.
  7. Serve immediately with the zesty dipping sauce.

Notes

  • To achieve the best crunch, ensure your pickles are very dry before coating them.
  • For a Texas Roadhouse copycat flavor, increase the paprika slightly and ensure your seasoning blend is generous.
  • If you are making the air fryer version, spraying the breading lightly with oil is key to achieving that golden, fried look.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/fried-pickles-ultimate-crispy-recipe/