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I first fell in love with fried pickles at a Southern diner—crispy, tangy bites with a creamy ranch dip on the side. I’ve since tried them everywhere, from food trucks to bar menus, but nothing beats the ease of making them at home. This Easy Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe brings the same crispy crunch without the deep-fried mess. They’re tangy, addictive, and done in minutes using just a few ingredients. Ideal for snacking, game nights, or just because you deserve a little treat.
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Fried Pickles
Air Fryer = Less Oil, More Crunch
You get all the crispy joy of fried pickles with a fraction of the fat. The air fryer makes them perfectly golden and bubbly.
Quick & Crowd-Pleasing
These are ready in 15 minutes, making them the ultimate game day or last-minute party snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup dill pickle chips (drained and patted dry)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- Nonstick spray or olive oil spray
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Pickles
Drain your pickle chips and pat them very dry with paper towels. Excess moisture will prevent crisping.
2. Set Up a Breading Station
Use three shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: All-purpose flour
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
- Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, paprika, and salt
3. Bread the Pickles
Dip each pickle chip in flour, then egg, then panko. Press lightly to coat evenly and fully.
4. Preheat Your Air Fryer
Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
5. Air Fry Until Golden
Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place breaded pickles in a single layer.
Air fry at 400°F for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.
6. Serve Hot
Serve immediately with ranch dressing or your favorite dip. Best eaten fresh and hot!
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Easy Air Fryer Fried Pickles
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy and tangy Air Fryer Fried Pickles made with panko, spices, and zero deep frying. A perfect quick snack or game day appetizer.
Ingredients
1 cup dill pickle chips, drained and patted dry
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
Nonstick spray or olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
2. Prepare three bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
3. Pat pickles dry. Dredge each in flour, then egg, then panko mixture.
4. Spray air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place pickles in a single layer.
5. Air fry for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
6. Serve hot with ranch or favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Use bread and butter pickles for a sweeter twist.
Make gluten-free by using GF breadcrumbs and flour.
Don’t overcrowd the basket—work in batches if needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Fried Pickles, Game Day Snack, Crispy Pickles
FAQs About Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Can I use spears instead of chips?
Yes—but increase cook time by 1–2 minutes and make sure they’re patted dry.
Can I use gluten-free breadcrumbs?
Absolutely. Use GF flour and breadcrumbs to make this a gluten-free snack.
Can I make these ahead?
They’re best served fresh. But you can bread them and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before air frying.
What’s the best dip for fried pickles?
Classic ranch, spicy aioli, or a blend of mayo and hot sauce all work great.