Crispy Fried Pickles (Printable)

Tangy dill pickles with a crunchy, seasoned coating air-fried to golden perfection for a tasty snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pickles

01 - 16 dill pickle chips, patted dry

→ Breading

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 tablespoon whole milk
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - Ranch dressing or preferred dipping sauce

# Directions:

01 - Set air fryer temperature to 400°F and allow to preheat.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, a second with whisked eggs and milk, and a third combining panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, kosher salt, and black pepper.
03 - Thoroughly pat pickle chips dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
04 - Dredge each pickle chip in flour, shaking off surplus.
05 - Dip floured pickles into the egg and milk mixture, ensuring complete coverage on both sides.
06 - Press pickles evenly into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
07 - Place coated pickles in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking oil.
08 - Cook for 6 minutes at 400°F.
09 - Flip pickles, spray again with oil, and air-fry for an additional 4 to 6 minutes until golden and crispy.
10 - Enjoy immediately with ranch or your chosen dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're crispy and golden without the heavy oil feeling that normally comes with fried foods.
  • Takes less than half an hour from start to table, so it's perfect for unexpected guests.
  • The seasoning blend is subtle enough to let the tangy pickle shine, but bold enough to make people ask what's in them.
02 -
  • The drying step is non-negotiable—wet pickles will steam and get soggy instead of crispy, and I learned this the hard way.
  • Light oil spray makes a huge difference; heavy handed spraying defeats the purpose and makes them greasy like traditional fried versions.
  • Flipping halfway through ensures both sides crisp up evenly and prevents any pale spots.
03 -
  • Let your air fryer preheat fully so the coating crisps immediately instead of steaming.
  • The light oil spray is everything—it's the difference between crispy and greasy, so use a cooking spray bottle and keep your hand light.
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