Description
Learn how to make perfectly crispy, tangy fried pickles at home. This guide gives you the deep-fried, restaurant-style method and an easy, healthier air fryer alternative for the best game day appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 ounce) jar 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 deep frying (or cooking spray for air fryer)
Instructions
- Prepare the pickles: Lay the drained pickle chips on several layers of paper towels. Place more paper towels on top and press gently to remove as much moisture as possible. This step is key for crispy fried pickles.
- Set up the dredging station: In one shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Dredge the pickles: Working in small batches, take a handful of pickle chips and dredge them thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip the floured pickles into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, press the pickles firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place the coated pickles on a clean baking sheet.
- For Deep Frying: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Carefully drop the breaded pickles into the hot oil in a single layer, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels.
- For Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded 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 crunchy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a Texas Roadhouse copycat flavor, add a pinch of onion powder to the flour mixture.
- If you are making the air fryer version, spraying the breadcrumbs generously helps them brown properly.
- Drain the pickles very well; excess moisture prevents the breading from sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Frying or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 55