Air Fryer Fried Pickles: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryer fried pickles are a delicious snack or appetiser that can be made in under 20 minutes. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried pickles as they require minimal oil and are quick and easy to make. The pickles are coated in a variety of seasonings and breading, such as flour, egg, breadcrumbs, and spices, and then air-fried to crispy perfection. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but on average, they take around 5-10 minutes to cook.

How to make air fryer pickles crispy

Air fryer pickles are a delicious snack or appetizer, and they're super easy to make. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect crispy texture:

Ingredients:

• Pickles (dill pickles are recommended, and thicker slices or spears tend to work better)
• Flour (all-purpose or coconut flour for a low-carb option)
• Egg (or an egg substitute like JustEgg)
• Breadcrumbs (Panko breadcrumbs are ideal for an extra-crispy coating, but regular breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs will also work)
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, hot sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, fresh dill, or other seasonings of your choice

Instructions:

• Prepare your pickles: Drain your pickles and pat them dry with paper towels. The drier they are, the better the coating will stick.
• Set up your dredging station: You'll need three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk the egg with a small amount of water (or pickle juice for extra flavour). In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with any additional seasonings you're using.
• Dredge the pickles: Dip each pickle first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each pickle is well-coated, and shake off any excess between dips.
• Add oil or cooking spray: Drizzle or spray the coated pickles with olive oil or cooking spray. This step helps the pickles achieve that golden, crispy texture.
• Air-fry the pickles: Place the pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Cook at around 400°F for 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. You may need to flip the pickles halfway through and spritz or spray them with oil again.
• Serve immediately: Air fryer pickles are best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, fry sauce, aioli, or remoulade.

Tips for Extra Crispiness:

• Slice your own pickles to get thicker slices, which tend to hold up better during cooking.
• Make sure your pickles are as dry as possible before dredging them.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the pickles in batches if necessary.
• Toast the breadcrumbs before using them for an extra-crunchy coating.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.

Enjoy your crispy, crunchy, and delicious air fryer pickles!

How to store air fryer fried pickles

Air fryer fried pickles are best enjoyed straight out of the fryer when they're crispy and hot. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To ensure your fried pickles retain their crispiness, place them on a paper towel before putting them in the container, and consider adding another paper towel on top of them. Paper towels help absorb moisture, reducing the chances of sogginess.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover fried pickles, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to regain their crispiness. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven, but this will take longer.

How to serve air fryer fried pickles

Air fryer fried pickles are best served fresh out of the fryer, as they tend to go soggy when stored. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer for two to five minutes at 400°F.

These fried pickles are delicious on their own, but even better with a creamy dipping sauce. Some sauces that go well with fried pickles include:

• Ranch dressing
• Fry sauce
• Aioli
• Remoulade sauce
• Creamy chipotle sauce
• Vegan ranch
• Chipotle ranch dressing
• Yum yum sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Spicy sauce (made of mayo and sriracha)
• Thousand island dressing
• Spicy mayo
• Sriracha aioli
• Barbecue sauce
• Honey mustard
• Tzatziki

How to make air fryer fried pickles keto-friendly

Air fryer fried pickles are a delicious, healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version of this snack. They are also super easy to make and can be prepared in about 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• Avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• Dill pickle slices or spears
• Coconut flour or almond flour
• Egg
• Heavy whipping cream (optional)
• Pork panko (ground-up pork rinds) or crushed pork rinds
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Your choice of dipping sauce (e.g. fry sauce, keto ranch dip, or keto blue cheese dressing)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Remove any excess moisture from the pickles with paper towels and place them in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, add the flour and toss the pickles to coat.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk an egg and, if desired, heavy whipping cream.
• In another bowl, mix together the pork panko, garlic powder, cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning, and salt and pepper.
• Working in batches, dredge the pickle slices in the egg wash, then shake off the excess.
• Press the pickles into the pork panko mixture to coat all sides, then transfer to a plate.
• Arrange the pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• For an extra crispy texture, spray or brush the pickles with avocado oil.
• Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through and spraying or brushing with avocado oil again.
• Serve immediately with your chosen dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Check the jar of pickles to ensure there is no added sugar, as this will make them unsuitable for a keto diet.
• The pickles can also be cut into disks if you prefer, but this works better with thicker pickles.
• It is recommended to taste the pickles before breading them to decide if you want to add salt to the pork panko mixture.
• You can get the pickles extra crispy by using cooking spray or brushing them with oil before cooking each side.
• To spice things up, add a little cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning to the pork panko mixture.

Enjoy your keto-friendly, air fryer fried pickles!

How to make a dipping sauce for air fryer fried pickles

Air-fried pickles are a delicious snack, but they can be even better with a dipping sauce. Here are some ideas for sauces to serve with your air-fried pickles:

Fry Sauce

A grown-up version of ketchup, this sauce is a popular choice for dipping air-fried pickles.

Yum Yum Sauce

This sauce is light, sweet, and tangy—a great choice for anything fried.

Cheese Sauce

A rich, thick, cheesy sauce is the perfect pairing for air-fried pickles.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a classic choice for fried pickles and will add a creamy, tangy flavour.

Spicy Mayo

Mix mayonnaise with sriracha to taste for a spicy, creamy dipping sauce.

Remoulade Sauce

Remoulade is a popular choice for dipping air-fried pickles and has a creamy, tangy flavour.

Creamy Chipotle Sauce

A creamy sauce with a kick of chipotle will complement the tanginess of the pickles.

Vegan Ranch

A vegan version of the classic ranch dressing is a great option for those who don't consume dairy.

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

For a ranch dressing with a kick, try adding some chipotle to your dressing.

Aioli

Aioli is a creamy, garlicky sauce that makes a delicious dip for air-fried pickles.

Spicy Aioli

Add some spice to your aioli with cayenne pepper or chili powder for an extra kick.

Horseradish Dipping Sauce

This sauce is inspired by the popular Texas Roadhouse Cajun dipping sauce. It's creamy, spicy, and mild, with a signature flavour from the horseradish.

Ketchup

A simple ketchup dip can be a great choice for those who like their sauces sweet and tangy.

Cocktail Sauce

Cocktail sauce, made with ketchup, horseradish, and other spices, is a classic dip for fried foods.

Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island dressing is a creamy, tangy sauce that can add some extra flavour to your air-fried pickles.

Spicy Mayo with Cajun Seasoning

Add some Cajun seasoning to your mayonnaise for a spicy, tangy dip.

Plain Mayo

For those who like their dips simple, plain mayonnaise can be a great choice for air-fried pickles.

Frequently asked questions