Fried Pickles (2024)

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Deep Fried Pickles are crunchy, flavorful, and SO tasty! They are breaded and fried to perfection, making them a crowd favorite!

These crispy little Deep Fried Pickles are for sure on the list of favorite appetizers, right on up there with Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Jalapeño Poppers!

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Why we love THEM!

Deep Fried Pickles are one of our FAVORITE appetizers at restaurants. If they have “frickles” on the menu, we order them.

We love the salty pickle taste with the crunchy breadcrumb coating, similar to our popular Fried Zucchini and Fried Green Beans.

Did you know they are super easy to make at home? This recipe is here to prove it.

These Fried Pickles give a big punch in the flavor department! Add that perfect crunchy outside, and you’ve got one delicious appetizer.

These are sure to be a hit at any football party or family get-together. Make sure to make a big batch because these fried pickles don’t last long around a hungry crowd.

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Best Pickles for FRying

There are lots of different pickles you can use for this recipe! You can use sweet pickles, but we really love dill pickles for breading and frying.

Slice your own pickles. If you want to slice your own pickles I suggest cutting them just shy of a ¼ inch thick for the best pickle to batter ratio.

Varying shapes. Feel free to use any kind of shape and size of pickle you want—round, ovals, spears, or halves.

Pickle prep. Take your pickles out of the jar and make sure they are completely dried. Pat them dry and place them on a paper towel.

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How to Make Fried Pickles

PREP. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Drain and dry pickles and place them on paper towels. Pat DRY with double-layered paper towels.

BATTER. While the oil is heating whisk together flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Add water and mix until smooth.

COAT. Add part of the dried pickles to the batter and toss to coat. Dip pickles in a pie pan filled with Panko.

FRY. Fry in the oil until golden brown. Continue until all the pickles are fried. Serve immediately with Ranch or your favorite dipping sauces.

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Alternative cooking methods

BAKE. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place your breaded pickles in one layer on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

AIR FRYER. Preheat the fryer to 425°F. Place the pickles in a single layer in the fryer basket and cook for 7-10 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy. Flip the pickles and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes on the other side.

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Tips + Storing Info

Flavor variations. Feel free to change up the herbs/spices/seasonings in the batter. Add some paprika or chili powder to make it a little spicy.

Oil. When frying, choose an oil with a high smoking point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.

STORE. If you happen to have any leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for a couple of days.

To reheat. The best way to reheat them is in the oven. I like to crisp them up under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. You can also reheat them in an air fryer.

Favorite dips to serve with fried pickles:

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Recipe FAQ

What are the best pickles for frying?

You can really use any kind or shape. We prefer dill pickle rounds. See the section above titled “Best Pickles for Frying” for more details.

How do I make fried pickles crisp instead of soggy?

Make sure you’re using an oil that’s meant for frying and can tolerate higher temperatures. Then make sure it’s hot enough for frying before adding the pickles. This way the pickles will crisp up rather than absorbing the oil and becoming soggy.

How do you keep batter from falling off fried pickles?

Make sure you pat the pickles plenty dry after taking them out of the jar. Dredging them in the flour mixture before adding the breadcrumbs also helps the batter adhere to the pickle.

For more favorite appetizers, try:

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5 from 165 votes

Fried Pickles

By: Lil’ Luna

Deep Fried Pickles are crunchy, flavorful, and SO tasty! They are breaded and fried to perfection, making them a crowd favorite!

Servings: 6

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 (16-ounce) jar dill pickle slices
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¾ cup water
  • cups panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Fill a frying pan with ½ inch oil and heat over medium-high heat to 350–375°F.

  • While oil is heating, drain 1(16-ounce) jar pickles and place them on paper towels. Pat dry to remove excess juice.

  • Whisk ½cup flour, 2teaspoons garlic salt, 1teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ¼teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Add ¾cup water and mix until smooth.

  • Place 1½cupspanko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.

  • Working in batches, add pickles to the batter and toss to coat. Then dip pickles in breadcrumbs, making sure to coat all sides.

  • Fry pickles in batches in the oil for 1–2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining pickles.

  • Serve immediately with Ranch or your favorite dipping sauces.

Video

Notes

Air Fryer Directions.Preheat the fryer to 425 degrees F. Bread the pickles as directed, then place in a single layer in the fryer basket and cook for 7–9 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy. Flip the pickles and cook for an additional 7 minutes on the other side.
Variations.Feel free to change up the seasonings in the batter for a different flavor. Add some paprika or chili powder to make it a little spicy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 98kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 888mg, Potassium: 46mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 6IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Making this recipe? Tag us!

Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Fried Pickles (2024)

FAQs

What is fried pickle batter made of? ›

Whisk together the beer, 1 1/2 cups flour, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and seasoned salt in a large bowl. Dip the pickle slices into the beer batter, then coat them in the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour. Fry the pickles in the preheated oil until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.

How do you keep breading from falling off fried pickles? ›

Dry the pickles well.

Pickles live in liquid and they need to be very dry before frying if you want the breading to stick well.

How unhealthy is fried pickles? ›

While pickles are a high-sodium food item, the deep-fried pickle is significantly higher. One deep-fried pickle spear contains 1,220 milligrams of sodium, versus 210 milligrams in a regular spear. One deep-fried pickle gives you more than half of the daily recommended intake, which is 2,300 milligrams a day.

How do you make fried pickles crispy again? ›

Reheat leftover deep-fried dill pickles in an air fryer or place them under the broiler until they get crispy again.

What makes pickles so crispy? ›

Calcium chloride (CaCl2), sometimes known as “pickle crisp”, is a type of salt that helps preserve the crunchiness of food. It is used in the food industry to help preserve the texture of canned fruit and vegetables. Sea salt is sodium chloride. In this case, we're talking about calcium chloride!

Why are my fried pickles soggy? ›

It's important to dry food before applying the breading because a high moisture content prevents dry ingredients from correctly reacting with hot oil. If improperly prepared, the batter on your pickles will soak up all that grease instead of frying to perfection.

How do you make pickles stay crispy? ›

The best way to keep your pickles crisp is by taking an extra moment to remove the blossom from the end of the cucumber. By adding this extra cut, you have a crisper pickle. Other ways to ensure a crisp pickle is by adding grape leaves to your jar. I tend to cut off both ends of the cucumber as I quickly process them.

How to create a breading? ›

A 3-stage breading process for pan-frying or deep-frying, begins by dredging the item in wheat flour, dipping in an egg mixture (known as an eggwash), and coating it with bread crumbs. Rice flour or refined starches like cornstarch can be used instead of wheat flour. Eggs are sometimes mixed with milk or water.

Why does my breading fall off after frying? ›

Breading falls off fried chicken or meats due to excess moisture, insufficient binding, improper technique, overcrowding, frequent movement, and inadequate resting. To Prevent Breading from Falling Off: Dry the Meat: Pat it dry. Use a Binding Agent: Flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.

What happens if you eat too many fried pickles? ›

Eating too much sodium can cause your kidneys and liver to work harder. Also, the high blood pressure that often follows diets high in sodium puts even more stress on these organs. As a result, eating too many pickles may be risky for anyone with liver disease or kidney conditions.

Can dogs eat fried pickles? ›

While pickles aren't necessarily harmful, they are extremely high in sodium, and lots of salt isn't healthy for dogs. Pickles also contain ingredients that could be potentially harmful. “Although pickles contain vitamins and minerals beneficial to us, the negative aspects far outweigh the benefits for a dog,” says Dr.

Are fried pickles healthier than French fries? ›

In general, fried pickles are a healthier option than French fries as they are typically lower in calories and fat. However, despite potatoes being relatively calorie dense, the healthiness of both options depends on the method of preparation, the ingredients used, and portion sizes.

Can you prep fried pickles ahead of time? ›

You can prep the dredge ingredients 1-2 days in advance. You can dredge the pickles up to 30 minutes before frying and place them in the fridge to help the dredge set. You can fry them and keep them warm in the oven for about 15 minutes, but not longer as they will lose their crispiness.

Who invented fried pickles? ›

Fried dill pickles were popularized by Bernell "Fatman" Austin in 1963 at the duch*ess Drive In located in Atkins, Arkansas. The Fatman's recipe is only known to his family and used once each year at the annual Picklefest in Atkins, held each May.

Can you eat leftover fried pickles? ›

Ensuring each pickle has enough room is crucial for even reheating. If you have a large batch, consider reheating in stages. And if your leftover pickles appear too dry, a quick spritz of cooking oil can be beneficial.

What is fried batter made of? ›

Batters are made by combining some sort of flour—usually wheat flour, though cornstarch and rice flour are not uncommon—with a liquid and optional leavening or binding ingredients, like eggs and baking powder. They coat foods in a thick, goopy layer.

What is the main ingredient in pickle crisp? ›

Pickle crisp is a product put out by ball, but I'm sure other brands sell it as well. All it contains is calcium chloride, which is supposed to help maintain the firmness of pickles. You simply add a very small amount to each jar when you are packing them. Quick, easy, and just calcium chloride.

What is a pickle shot made of? ›

To make the drink, equal parts spirit and pickle juice are shaken with ice, then strained into a shot glass. While any spirit can be used, tequila and vodka seem to be the most popular options, followed by whiskey.

What is pickle liquor made of? ›

Pickle liquor is an acid solution used to descale or clean steel in various steelmaking processes. Typically, the acids employed in the pickling of steel are hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and hydrofluoric acids or combinations thereof.

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