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

A pile of golden brown, crispy fried pickles served on a white plate with a small ramekin of 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, plus a simple zesty dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 jar (16 ounces) dill pickle chips, drained well
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 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 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. This step is key for crispy fried pickles.
  2. Set up the dredging stations: In one shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne. In a second dish, whisk the eggs and milk. 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 excess. Dip them into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally, press them firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place 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. Cover and chill while you cook the pickles.
  5. For Deep Frying: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully drop the coated pickles into the hot oil in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crunchy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack set over paper towels.
  6. For Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (198°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the coated pickles in a single layer in the basket (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 crisp.
  7. Serve immediately with the chilled zesty dipping sauce. Give yourself some kitchen kudos for making these amazing crunchy pickle chips!

Notes

  • For the best results when making crispy fried pickles, make sure your pickles are very dry before breading. Moisture prevents crispiness.
  • If you want a Texas Roadhouse copycat flavor, increase the amount of paprika and add a pinch of onion powder to the flour mixture.
  • If you are making a large batch, keep the finished deep-fried pickles warm on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet in a low oven (200°F) while you finish frying the rest.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/fried-pickles-recipe-crispy-air-fryer/