Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (2024)

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Our favorite Fried Pickles with perfectly crispy, and well-seasoned breading are quick and simple to make. Serve them with a bowl of ranch for dipping, and watch them disappear!

Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Deep Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make and Fun to Eat!
  • These Fried Pickles Are…
  • The Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How to Make Fried Pickles
  • Helpful Tips for the Crispiest Fried Pickles
  • What to Serve with Fried Pickles
  • Storing and Reheating the Leftovers
  • Get the Recipe
  • More Tasty Appetizers

    Deep Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make and Fun to Eat!

    Fried pickles are a southern favorite, and everyone in this household is a big fan. This is a special appetizer that’s fun to eat, and always gets “oohs” and “aahs” whenever I serve them.

    If you are thinking that deep frying pickles sounds too complicated, stay with me! I promise, making these fried pickles is super easy. Even if you have never fried anything before, you can do this! And the crispy, crunchy, salty reward is so worth it.

    These Fried Pickles Are…

    • Really Crispy: No soggy pickles here! This recipe makes a really crispy, crunchy treat. You won’t be able to stop eating them.
    • Seasoned to Perfection: When you are deep frying food, it’s important to get the seasoned breading just right. You want it to be zesty and flavorful, and this recipe delivers.
    • Simple to Make: Say goodbye to your fear of deep frying! This simple tutorial takes all the mystery out of deep frying your very own crunchy pickles.
    • Perfect for Game Day (or Anytime!): Whether you’re creating the perfect table of snacks for the Super Bowl, or treating yourself to the extra special snacks, these pickles are sure to be devoured. You might want to make two batches!

    If you love dill pickles, be sure to check out this dill pickle cheese ball recipe and my dill pickle pasta salad! Still not sold on deep frying? This air fryer fried pickles recipe might be just what you’re looking for.

    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (2)

    The Ingredients You’ll Need

    So, what’s in this recipe for fried pickles? Glad you asked! Here is the list of mouthwatering ingredients. (Remember, you can scroll down to the bottom of this post to find a printable recipe card with full ingredient amounts and nutrition facts.)

    • Pickles: Drain a jar of your favorite sliced pickles – any kind you like.
    • Oil: Vegetable oil, or another neutral high-heat oil for frying.
    • Flour: All-purpose flour.
    • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
    • Baking Powder: To make the pickles extra-crispy.
    • Milk: Whole milk is my go-to, but low fat milk would also be fine.
    • Eggs: A couple of large, whole eggs.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (3)

    How to Make Fried Pickles

    Making fried pickles is an easy way to get started with deep frying, if you’ve never done it before. You don’t have to worry about handling raw chicken or anything like that. You just bread the pickles and fry them until golden brown!

    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (4)
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (5)
    • Dry the Pickles. Lay the drained, sliced pickles out on a baking sheet lined with paper towels, and pat the tops dry with another paper towel. Set the baking sheet aside.
    • Heat the Oil: Next, pour about 2 inches of oil into a deep skillet, and turn the heat to medium-high. Allow the oil to heat until it reaches 350°F on a thermometer.
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    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (7)
    • Make the Seasoned Flour. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and baking powder.
    • Make the Egg Mixture. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the milk and eggs together.
    • Bread a Few Pickles: Working in batches of five or six pickles at a time, dips Pickles into the flour mixture, the egg mixture, and then the flour again.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (8)
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (9)
    • Fry the Pickles in the Hot Oil. Gently lower the pickles into the hot oil, and let them cook for 1 – 2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Flip them over halfway through the cooking time so they brown evenly.
    • Drain. Use a slotted spoon to lift the fried pickles out of the oil, and place them on a clean, paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (10)
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (11)
    • Repeat. Continue breading, frying, and draining the remaining pickles until they are all done.
    • Enjoy! Serve your homemade fried pickles with freshly chopped parsley and ranch, if desired.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (12)

    Helpful Tips for the Crispiest Fried Pickles

    If you are anything like me when I was frying pickles for the first time, you’ve got questions. Here are some helpful tips to get you on your way:

    • Pickle Options: You don’t have to use any particular kind of pickles – as long as you dry them, almost any pickles will work. Dill chips are the most common, but you could use sandwich slices for really big fried pickles, or even pickle spears! Sweet pickles also work, although they’re much less common.
    • Drying the Pickles: I can’t stress this enough – drying the pickles is essential to getting a really crispy crunch. If your pickles are still damp when you bread them, the breading will be a bit soggy and won’t stick very well.
    • Heating the Oil: The other big thing to remember is to heat your oil to the right temperature, and keep it there. I highly recommend using a thermometer that clips onto your frying pan (I use this candy thermometer when frying. If your oil gets too hot, it can burn the pickles. If the oil is not hot enough, the pickles will take too long to fry and will become oily!
    • Baked Pickles: Yes, you can make these in the oven, too! They will not turn out quite as crispy, but they’ll still be tasty. Just prepare them as instructed, but then lay them on a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet, and bake at 450°F for about 15 – 20 minutes, or until they’re golden-brown and crisped up.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (13)

    What to Serve with Fried Pickles

    Dipping sauce! Seriously, dipping crunchy fried pickles into your favorite sauce is half the fun. We love classic ranch, but you could do all kinds of sauces, including…

    • Cilantro Lime Dressing: This cilantro lime dressing recipe is a bit like ranch, but with a twist thanks to plenty of fresh green cilantro and mouth-puckering lime. It’s ultra-refreshing and perfect for dipping.
    • Tzatziki: Another creamy contender, homemade tzatziki sauce is a Greek classic that is very light and simple, adding just the right richness to a platter of homemade fried pickles.
    • Sweet Chili Sauce: This addictively delicious sweet chili sauce is so good, you’ll want to eat it on everything. Try it with fried pickles to give them even more crazy-good flavor.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (14)

    Storing and Reheating the Leftovers

    While this dish is best served fresh, storing the leftovers couldn’t be easier – the real challenge will be having any leftovers to begin with! If you do save some for later, make sure to follow these guidelines for storing and reheating.

    • Storing: Keep the fried pickles in your refrigerator, preferably sealed in an airtight container or storage bag. I like to add a clean, dry paper towel in there to absorb any moisture and keep them from getting too soggy.
    • Reheating: Reheating fried pickles is easiest in the air fryer. Just add them to the basket, and air-fry at 450°F until heated through. You can also do this in the oven.

    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (15)

    5 from 2 votes

    Print Pin Recipe

    Yield: 6 Servings

    Fried Pickles

    Our favorite Fried Pickles with perfectly crispy, and well-seasoned breading. Serve them with a bowl of ranch for dipping, and watch them disappear!

    Prep Time15 minutes minutes

    Cook Time20 minutes minutes

    Total Time35 minutes minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 16-oz jar sliced pickles, drained
    • Vegetable oil, for frying
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika powder
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 large eggs

    Instructions

    • Lay the pickles on a baking sheet with a paper towel, pat the tops dry with another paper towel and set aside.

    • In a deep skillet, preheat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a thermometer. (I like to use a clip on pot thermometer to monitor the oil tempruatre while frying.)

    • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and baking powder.

    • In another mixing bowl, beat the milk and eggs until combined.

    • Dip 5-6 pickle slices in the dry ingredients then into the wet ingredients, then coat them a final time in the dry ingredients.

    • Fry the pickles in the hot oil for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown, flipping them over halfway.

    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the pickles from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

    • Repeat this process with the remaining pickles.

    • Serve with freshly chopped parsley and ranch, if desired.

    Notes

    • Storing: Keep the fried pickles in your refrigerator, preferably sealed in an airtight container or storage bag. I like to add a clean, dry paper towel in there to absorb any moisture and keep them from getting too soggy.
    • Reheating: Reheating fried pickles is easiest in the air fryer. Just add them to the basket, and air-fry at 450°F until heated through. You can also do this in the oven.
    • Pickle Options: You don’t have to use any particular kind of pickles – as long as you dry them, almost any pickles will work. Dill chips are the most common, but you could use sandwich slices for really big fried pickles, or even pickle spears! Sweet pickles also work, although they’re much less common.
    • Drying the Pickles: I can’t stress this enough – drying the pickles is essential to getting a really crispy crunch. If your pickles are still damp when you bread them, the breading will be a bit soggy and won’t stick very well.
    • Heating the Oil: The other big thing to remember is to heat your oil to the right temperature, and keep it there. I highly recommend using a thermometer that clips onto your frying pan (I use this candy thermometer) when frying. If your oil gets too hot, it can burn the pickles. If the oil is not hot enough, the pickles will take too long to fry and will become oily!
    • Baked Pickles: Yes, you can make these in the oven, too! They may not turn out quite as crispy, but they’ll still be great. Just prepare them as instructed, but then lay them on a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet, and bake at 450°F for about 15 – 20 minutes, or until they’re golden-brown and crisped up.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1, Calories: 143kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 464mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g

    © Jessica – The Novice Chef

    Cuisine: American

    Category: Appetizers & Snacks

    Categories:

    • 30 Min or Less
    • 4th of July
    • Diet
    • Fall
    • Holidays
    • Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian

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    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (2024)

    FAQs

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

    A problem that plagues both fried and oven-fried pickles is the coating falling off either mid-cooking or mid-bite. The easiest way to prevent this is to make sure that your pickles are well-dried. Drain the pickles of their juices and then spread the pickles into a single layer and pat dry with paper towels.

    How do you keep fried pickles from getting soggy? ›

    To keep your pickles from getting soggy, use a sturdy breading. This one is made with a mix of flour and cornstarch. The cornstarch is key: it absorbs excess moisture from the wet pickles which results in an even crispier fried coating.

    How to make homemade pickles crispier? ›

    Use Calcium Chloride

    Sea salt is sodium chloride. In this case, we're talking about calcium chloride! These little granules, which dilute quickly in water, are THE trick to crunchy pickles, as they prevent the enzymes from softening the pickle during lacto-fermentation.

    How do you get breading to stick to fried pickles? ›

    Dry the pickles well.

    This is probably the most important step. Pickles live in liquid and they need to be very dry before frying if you want the breading to stick well.

    What are the two main ingredients needed to pickle something? ›

    The classic ratio is super easy to remember and is easily scale-able depending on how many pickles you're making. It's 100% vinegar, 50% water, 25% sugar and 12.5% kosher salt by weight.

    Is it worth it to make your own pickles? ›

    That said, homemade refrigerator pickles like these are astoundingly good. They have a freshness and snap that the store-bough variety don't.

    What are the basic ingredients in pickling? ›

    Ingredients
    • Produce. Select fresh, firm fruits or vegetables that are free of spoilage. ...
    • Salt. Use a canning or pickling salt. ...
    • Vinegar. White distilled or cider vinegars of 5 percent acidity (50 grain) are recommended. ...
    • Sugar. White granulated and brown sugars are used most often. ...
    • Water. ...
    • Spices. ...
    • Firming Agents.

    What is the best oil to fry pickles in? ›

    Best oil for frying pickles

    Canola oil is the best oil for deep frying due to it's low level of saturated fat and high smoke point. Other good choices are peanut oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil. Don't use olive oil, avocado oil or other nut oils.

    How long to air fry soggy fried pickles? ›

    Air fry the pickles for three to four minutes, but always be attentive as the size and thickness of your pickles and varying air fryer models can alter the ideal reheating time. After this period, gently shake the basket or use a pair of tongs to flip the pickles and continue frying for a similar duration.

    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.

    What is the agent in pickle crisping? ›

    Calcium chloride is mainly used in canning to make crunchy pickles. It can also be used in lacto-fermentation! Fermentation tends to soften vegetables, so using calcium chloride helps keep the vegetables crunchy.

    Why are my homemade pickles not crunchy? ›

    Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles, as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature.

    Why does my breading fall off after frying? ›

    You don't start dry

    The first step to breading chicken is crucial: Make sure the chicken is completely dry before starting the dredging process. Using a paper towel, pat the meat dry on all sides. Excess moisture will cause the flour to get soggy, meaning it will not adhere properly to the chicken.

    Why does my breading always fall off? ›

    It may be too watery. Dry the chicken first with paper towels. It helps to then coat it with a thin layer of flour, then in well-beaten egg whites which will help the coating stick. Then coat with breading and press on it lightly to help it stick.

    How do you make chicken breading not fall off? ›

    After the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated in the breading mixture, place them in the hot oil—with plenty of space in between—and let them be! The more you touch the chicken with tongs, the more likely the breading is to fall off. If the cutlets are touching each other, the more likely the breading is to come off.

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