Air Fryer Pickle Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, and they can be used to make crispy, crunchy, and delicious fried pickles. This recipe is a fun and easy appetiser that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch, remoulade, or a spicy sauce. The key to getting crispy fried pickles is to dry the pickles thoroughly before breading them and to spritz them with cooking spray before frying.

Choosing the right pickles

It is also important to consider the size and thickness of the pickles. Thick-sliced dill pickles are recommended as they hold up well to the breading process. You can purchase pre-sliced pickle chips or cut your own pickles into coins or spears. If you opt for spears, keep in mind that your cooking time will be longer.

Another key factor is the dryness of the pickles. Before breading, be sure to drain and pat the pickles dry with paper towels. Removing as much moisture as possible will help the breading adhere better, resulting in a crispier final product.

Lastly, it is recommended to use fresh, refrigerated pickle chips rather than jarred pickles. Jarred pickles tend to be too salty and mushy, which can affect the texture and flavour of your fried pickles. Look for brands like Clausen and Grillos, which offer pickle chips that are perfect for air frying.

Preparing the pickles

Firstly, select your pickles. You can use a jar of pickle chips, or slice pickle spears into coins. Dill pickles are a popular choice, but bread-and-butter pickles can also be used for a slightly sweeter flavour. Drain the pickles and pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. It is important to remove as much moisture as possible to ensure the breading adheres well.

Next, set up a dredging station with three separate bowls. In the first bowl, mix all-purpose flour with seasonings of your choice, such as garlic salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. You can also add cornstarch to the flour mixture. The second bowl should contain a beaten egg, or egg whites mixed with water. The third bowl should contain panko breadcrumbs, and you can add seasonings to this as well, such as paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Now, it's time to dredge the pickles. Start by tossing them in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, ensuring they are completely coated. Finally, toss them in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres.

Once all your pickles are coated, it's time to add some oil. You can use cooking spray, or extra-virgin olive oil. Drizzle or spritz the oil over the pickles, ensuring they are well-coated.

Your pickles are now ready to be air-fried! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Air fry at a temperature between 385°F and 400°F for 5 to 14 minutes, or until the pickles are golden brown and crispy.

Making the coating

In the first bowl, mix flour with your choice of seasonings. Suggested seasonings include garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.

In the second bowl, prepare an egg wash by beating an egg with a tablespoon of water.

In the third bowl, add the breadcrumbs. You can use regular or Panko breadcrumbs, and season them with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder if desired.

Now you're ready to dredge the pickles! Start by tossing the pickles in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in the egg wash to completely coat them, and finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the coating onto the pickles to help it adhere.

Once all your pickles are coated, they're ready to go into the air fryer!

Cooking the pickles

Now that your pickles are coated and ready to go, it's time to get cooking!

First, preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 400°F. You can also preheat your oven to 450°F if you're using one.

If you're using an air fryer, coat the basket with cooking spray. If you're using an oven, place your breaded pickles on a cookie sheet that has been greased with cooking spray.

Arrange the pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the cookie sheet, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Lightly spray the tops of the pickles with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help them get nice and crispy.

Now it's time to air fry! Cook your pickles for 10 to 14 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. If you're using an oven, bake them on the top rack for 10 minutes, then flip them over, spray them again, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Keep an eye on your pickles while they're cooking, as air fryer models can vary. You don't want to overcook them!

Once they're nice and golden, remove them from the air fryer or oven and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, your pickles might already be pretty salty, so taste them first!

Serve your air fryer pickle chips hot and crispy with your favorite dipping sauce. They're best enjoyed fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Making a dipping sauce

A great dipping sauce can complement the tangy, crunchy flavour of air fryer pickle chips. Here are some ideas for delicious sauces to serve with your homemade pickle chips.

Ranch Dipping Sauce

Combine whole-egg mayonnaise, light sour cream, chopped dill, chopped chives, crushed garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Sprinkle your cooked pickle chips with sea salt flakes and serve with this creamy, herby sauce.

Creole Dipping Sauce

Stir together mayonnaise, Creole mustard, lemon juice, and smoked paprika. The Creole mustard and smoked paprika will add a nice kick to your pickle chips.

Sriracha Mayo

Mix mayonnaise and sriracha sauce to taste. You can adjust the amount of sriracha to your preference. This spicy sauce will go well with the tang of the pickles.

Remoulade Sauce

This sauce is recommended by one source to serve with air fryer pickle chips, but unfortunately, there is no recipe included. You may be able to find a suitable remoulade sauce recipe elsewhere.

Other Sauce Ideas

Other sauces that could go well with air fryer pickle chips include vegan ranch, chipotle sauce, chipotle ranch dressing, tzatziki sauce, or a simple ranch dressing.

Frequently asked questions