Crispy, tangy, and golden, these air fryer fried pickles make the perfect snack. Ready in just 25 minutes, they’re paired with a creamy sour cream and onion dip that’s hard to resist.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Air fryer fried pickles are a fun way to enjoy a restaurant-style favorite at home. Since they’re cooked in the air fryer, you’ll get that satisfying crunch without all the extra oil from deep frying. This means lighter pickles you can snack on without the heaviness of traditional fried foods.
The prep is quick, taking just 15 minutes. The hot sauce in the egg wash gives a gentle kick, but you can make them mild or spicy to your taste. The dip is what brings it all together. Creamy sour cream and mayo blend with onion, garlic, and dill, creating a flavor that balances out the salty, tangy crunch of the pickles.
These little bites are great for almost any occasion. They work as a party appetizer, a game-day snack, or even just a fun side to dinner. Serve them on their own or alongside other air fryer favorites for a platter that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need For The Air Fryer Fried Pickles
For the Pickles
You’ll need one cup of sliced dill pickles as the base. Eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper create the egg wash, which helps the breading stick. Panko breadcrumbs are the best choice for a crunchy bite, but regular breadcrumbs will also do the job. You can try different hot sauces for more heat or even experiment with pickle varieties like spears or chips.
For the Dip
The dip is creamy, bold, and the perfect match for crispy pickles. You’ll need sour cream, mayonnaise, minced onion, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. This dip tastes a little like sour cream and onion dip, but with an herby twist. Make it ahead and let it chill for extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Pickles
Pat the pickle slices dry using paper towels. This step is essential because moisture makes the breading fall off. Drying the pickles helps the coating stick and stay crispy.
Make the Egg Wash and Coating
In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth. Place breadcrumbs in a second shallow dish. Dip each pickle into the egg wash, let any excess drip off, then press it into the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
Air Fry the Pickles
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the coated pickles in a single layer with a little space between them. Spray lightly with oil. Cook for 5–7 minutes, flip them, spray again, and cook another 5–7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Dip
Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, minced onion, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy. Serve chilled with the hot pickles.
Expert Tips for Success
Always dry your pickles well before breading, or the coating will slide off. Thicker pickle slices hold up better to air frying and stay crunchy inside. Adjust the hot sauce to your liking, or switch it out for your favorite.
Panko breadcrumbs are best for crispiness, but crushed crackers or cornflakes can work in a pinch. Spray the coated pickles lightly with oil before and after flipping to make sure they brown evenly. Serve them hot with the dip for the best texture and flavor.
Variations and Substitutions
Switch things up by using bread-and-butter pickles for a sweeter flavor, or go for spicy pickle chips if you want heat. Gluten-free breadcrumbs are an easy swap for those avoiding gluten. If you’re making the dip lighter, try using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Air fryer fried pickles taste best when fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 2–3 minutes until crisp again. Avoid microwaving, as it makes them soggy. The dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to two days.
FAQs
How long does it take to heat fried pickles in an air fryer?
About 2–3 minutes at 375°F is enough to reheat them.
Can you air fry pickles without breading?
Yes, though they’ll turn out more like roasted pickles than crispy fried ones.
What is the secret to crispy pickles?
Patting them dry first and using panko breadcrumbs gives the crispiest finish.
What cannot be fried in an air fryer?
Wet batters and very delicate foods like leafy greens don’t do well.
What’s the best oil to use for air frying pickles?
A neutral spray oil such as canola or avocado works best.
Conclusion
Air fryer fried pickles are crunchy, tangy, and so simple to make at home. With just a few ingredients and less than half an hour, you’ll have a snack that’s fun and satisfying. The creamy dip adds the perfect balance to each crispy bite.
Next time you’re looking for something easy and tasty, give this recipe a try. You can even mix it up with different pickles or dips to keep things fresh. For more snack ideas, check out more air fryer recipes, browse through our recent recipes, or save inspiration on Pinterest.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Equipment
- Air fryer Preheated to 400°F
- Mixing bowls For egg wash, breadcrumbs, and dip
- Paper towels For drying pickles
- Cooking spray Helps crisp the coating
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced dill pickles
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup finely minced onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt (for dip)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (for dip)
Instructions
- Pat pickles dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Place breadcrumbs in another shallow dish. Dip pickles in egg wash, let excess drip, then press into breadcrumbs until coated.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange pickles in a single layer, spray with oil, and cook for 5–7 minutes. Flip, spray again, and cook for 5–7 more minutes until golden and crispy.
- In a bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper until combined. Serve with hot pickles.
