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.
    Best Fried Pickles Recipe | Classic Fried Pickles Are Easy to Make! (6)
    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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    Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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

    FAQs

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

    Thoroughly drying the pickles is essential to the batter sticking properly, so don't skip that step. Simply remove the pickle slices from the jar, and drain them on a paper towel. Then, use another paper towel to pat each side of the pickles dry before dropping them into the buttermilk mixture.

    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.

    How do they make pickles so crispy? ›

    Use Calcium Chloride

    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.

    What is the secret of pickles? ›

    Secret number one is to use only firm, ripe, blemish-free cucumbers. (the smaller the better). Pickle cukes within 24 hours of harvest. Wash cucumbers thoroughly and remove the blossom end of each cucumber.

    Why does my batter fall off when frying? ›

    Meat is not properly dry

    If the meat is wet, it will make the flour soggy. In that case, breading will not stick properly and may fall off when deep frying. Therefore, you must take some paper towels and pat dry the meat on all sides.

    Why aren't my fried pickles crispy? ›

    While you're prepping your pickles and batter, you need to get the oil hot, really hot. About 375 degrees Fahrenheit is great. This is an important step, because if your oil isn't hot enough your pickles won't fry in a way that achieves that perfect super crispy texture.

    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.

    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 makes pickles taste so good? ›

    The acetic acid in vinegar or the lactic acid produced by brine gives the pickle its salty, sour taste. Brine also can contain a variety of spices to add flavor to pickles. Common spices added to brine include garlic, horseradish, dill, and white mustard seeds.

    How to can homemade pickles? ›

    How to Can Pickles, Step by Step
    1. Fill a large pot with hot water. ...
    2. Submerge canning jars in the hot water and bring to a boil. ...
    3. Gather and trim the cucumbers. ...
    4. Make the pickle brine. ...
    5. Remove jars from hot water. ...
    6. Fill jars with pickle ingredients. ...
    7. Add extra spices (if you'd like) ...
    8. Prep jars for sealing.
    Aug 11, 2017

    What are the best crunchy pickles? ›

    Claussen Kosher Dill Halves

    These kosher dill halves are incredible. They are the best crunchy dill pickles straight out of the fridge. They have impeccable flavor, and delicious brine. You'd be thrilled if you got this pickle from a sandwich shop or on your plate at a diner.

    How to make pickles better? ›

    13 Ways To Boost The Flavor Of Pickles
    1. Experiment with different vinegar types. ...
    2. Add sugar for a touch of sweetness. ...
    3. Combine fresh herbs and spices. ...
    4. Toast spices for added depth. ...
    5. Explore international pickling styles. ...
    6. Incorporate flavored salts. ...
    7. Add some heat with spicy peppers. ...
    8. Experiment with different pickling times.
    Apr 13, 2023

    Are pickles healthy yes or no? ›

    Pickles are a good source of beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, Zumpano adds. Vitamin A supports healthy vision and immune function, per the Cleveland Clinic. Vitamin K is good for the bones, says Largeman-Roth, and plays a key role in blood-clotting and wound-healing.

    What is a fun fact about pickles? ›

    Pickles have played a role in ancient history

    Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, supposedly credited her health and good looks to her love of pickles, and Roman general Julius Caesar was said to have fed pickles to his troops in the belief that they would make them stronger.

    How to 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.

    How do you keep batter from falling off? ›

    Always dip your chicken in beaten egg before coating

    Dipping your chicken in egg helps the breadcrumbs, or whatever coating you use, adhere evenly to the outside of the cutlet. You should start with a thin layer of flour, which gives the egg a better surface to cling to, then the egg, then the coating.

    How do you keep batter from sticking? ›

    Non-stick helps to ensure that the batter doesn't get stuck to the pan itself. Cast Iron pans retain the heat and give a more golden-brown colour. Regardless of what you use, ensure your pan has plenty of time to heat up and lubricate it with either oil or butter to prevent the pancake mixture from sticking.

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