Fried Pickles

Introduction

Fried pickles are a crispy, tangy, and utterly addictive appetizer that has become a Southern classic. This snack combines the briny, tart flavor of pickles with a crispy, golden coating, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Whether served at parties, game days, or casual dinners, fried pickles are always a crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to make at home, and their crispy exterior paired with a juicy pickle interior keeps everyone coming back for more. Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or a spicy dipping sauce for a complete flavor experience.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s comforting, flavorful, and ridiculously addictive. The combination of tangy pickles with a crunchy coating is so satisfying. It’s a recipe that’s simple to make yet impressively tasty—perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a snack with your favorite beverage.

The best part? You can customize the coating and dipping sauce to suit your taste—spicy, cheesy, or classic. It’s also quick to prepare, making it perfect for both planned gatherings and last-minute cravings.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Crispy, golden, and crunchy—perfect texture in every bite.
• Tangy pickle flavor balanced with a savory coating.
• Easy to make at home with minimal ingredients.
• Perfect for game day, parties, or casual snacking.
• Kid-friendly and adult-approved, everyone loves them.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5–10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 20–30 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: ~250–300 calories per serving

Cuisine and Course

• Cuisine: Southern / American
• Course: Appetizer, Snack

Ingredients

For the Fried Pickles:

• 1 cup dill pickle slices (chips or spears)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal (optional for extra crunch)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• Vegetable oil for frying

For Dipping Sauce (Optional):

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup or sriracha
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare batter by mixing flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in one bowl; whisk egg and milk in another.
3. Dip pickles in egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture.
4. Fry in hot oil until golden brown, 2–3 minutes per side.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with dipping sauce.

Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Pickles

1. Pat pickle slices dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid.
2. This helps the coating stick better and prevents oil splatter.

Step 2: Make the Coatings

1. In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and milk until smooth.

Step 3: Coat the Pickles

1. Dip each pickle slice into the egg mixture.
2. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure even coating.
3. Repeat for all pickles.

Step 4: Fry the Pickles

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry pickles in small batches for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
3. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 5: Serve

1. Arrange fried pickles on a serving plate.
2. Serve immediately with dipping sauce, such as ranch, blue cheese, or spicy mayo.

How to Serve

• As a starter or appetizer at parties and game nights.
• With ranch, blue cheese, or spicy dipping sauce.
• Serve alongside burgers, sandwiches, or fried chicken for a Southern-style meal.
• Perfect as a snack or side dish for casual gatherings.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Pat pickles dry to ensure a crispy coating.
• Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.
• Keep fried pickles warm in a low oven (200°F / 95°C) if frying multiple batches.
• Add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture for a spicy kick.

Variations

• Spicy Fried Pickles: Add cayenne or chili powder to the flour mixture.
• Cheesy Coating: Mix 2–3 tbsp grated Parmesan into the flour mixture.
• Beer-Battered Pickles: Substitute egg and milk with 1/2 cup beer for a flavorful batter.
• Air-Fried Version: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes for a lighter version.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigeration: Best served immediately; can store fried pickles in an airtight container for up to 1 day, but they lose crispiness.
• Freezing: Freeze uncoated pickle slices for up to 2 months; coat and fry after thawing.
• Reheating: Reheat in oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.

Special Equipment Needed

• Deep skillet, frying pan, or deep fryer
• Tongs or slotted spoon for frying
• Paper towels for draining
• Bowls for coating and batter

Conclusion

Fried Pickles are a crispy, tangy, and irresistible snack or appetizer that everyone will love. With a golden coating and juicy pickle interior, they’re perfect for parties, game days, or casual snacking. Easy to make at home and customizable with sauces or spice levels, fried pickles are a must-try Southern classic for any occasion.

Print Recipe

Fried Pickles

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Appetizer & Snacks

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 20 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 300 calories per serving

Description

Fried pickles are a crispy, tangy, and utterly addictive appetizer that has become a Southern classic. This snack combines the briny, tart flavor of pickles with a crispy, golden coating, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Fried Pickles:

• 1 cup dill pickle slices (chips or spears)
• ¹⁄₂ cup all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₂ cup cornmeal (optional for extra crunch)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp paprika
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₄ tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg
• ¹⁄₄ cup milk
• Vegetable oil for frying

For Dipping Sauce (Optional):

• ¹⁄₂ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup or sriracha
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Pickles : Pat pickle slices dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid. This helps the coating stick better and prevents oil splatter.
2. Step 2: Make the Coatings : In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and milk until smooth.
3. Step 3: Coat the Pickles : Dip each pickle slice into the egg mixture. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure even coating. Repeat for all pickles.
4. Step 4: Fry the Pickles : Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry pickles in small batches for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
5. Step 5: Serve : Arrange fried pickles on a serving plate. Serve immediately with dipping sauce, such as ranch, blue cheese, or spicy mayo.

Keywords: Fried pickles