Air-Fryer Pickle Chips: A Quick, Crispy, And Crunchy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make crispy, crunchy, and delicious fried pickles without the mess and hassle of deep frying. This method of preparation also makes for a healthier snack, as it uses way less oil than traditional frying methods. Making fried pickles in an air fryer is super easy and quick, and the end result is a perfect appetizer or snack.

How to choose the right pickles

When choosing the right pickles for air frying, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use thicker-cut dill pickle chips, about 1/4-inch thick, as they will give you a better pickle-to-breading ratio and hold up well to the breading. If you can't find pre-sliced pickles of the right thickness, you can always slice your own from whole dill pickles. While dill pickles are the most commonly recommended, you could also try bread and butter pickles or even spicy, sour, or garlic pickles for a unique flavour.

Another important factor is ensuring that your pickles are thoroughly dried before breading and frying. This will help the batter or breading adhere properly and reduce spattering. Remove the pickle slices from the jar, drain them on a paper towel, and then use another paper towel to pat each side dry. This step is crucial to achieving the desired crispiness in your fried pickles.

Additionally, consider the type of breading or batter you want to use. A simple flour breading can work well, but for an extra crispy coating, you may want to use panko breadcrumbs. You can also experiment with different seasonings in your breading, such as garlic powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, or paprika. Just be mindful that too many spices may overpower the punchy pickle flavour.

Lastly, when it comes to frying, it's important to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or olive oil. This will allow you to heat the oil to a higher temperature without it smoking. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to choosing the right pickles and creating delicious, crispy fried pickles in your air fryer.

Preparing the pickles

Firstly, you'll want to use dill pickles, either pre-sliced or cut into chips or rounds yourself. If you're slicing them yourself, make sure they're not too thin—you want them to be thick enough to hold up to the breading.

Now, for the drying process. This step is crucial, as it ensures the breading will stick to the pickles. Place the pickles on a layer of paper towels and pat them dry with more paper towels. Make sure to remove as much moisture as possible. You can even let them rest on the paper towels for about 15 minutes to ensure most of the liquid is absorbed.

Next, set up your dredging station. You'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also add a bit of seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the flour if you like. The second bowl will contain your egg mixture. Beat one or more eggs with a small amount of water until frothy. You can also add some pickle juice and a bit of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra flavour. The third bowl will contain your breadcrumbs. Regular or panko breadcrumbs will work. You can also add some dried or fresh dill to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Now, it's time to bread the pickles. First, toss or dredge the pickles in the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dunk them in the egg mixture, making sure they're completely coated, and shake off any excess again. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs adhere to the pickles.

At this point, your pickles are almost ready for the air fryer. You can also add some extra seasoning to the breaded pickles, like a sprinkle of kosher salt.

Creating a dredging station

Firstly, you'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour with some additional ingredients for seasoning. The exact ingredients for the flour mixture will vary depending on the recipe you're following. Some recipes suggest using all-purpose flour with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Others include cornmeal, paprika, and seasoned salt in the flour mixture. You can also add in dried dill for some extra flavour. It's important to whisk or mix the ingredients together until they are well combined.

The second bowl will contain your egg mixture. Beat or whisk an egg with some water until it becomes frothy. You can also add in a small amount of milk to thin out the mixture. For a spicy kick, include some hot sauce or cayenne pepper. If you want to enhance the pickle flavour, add a bit of pickle juice to the egg mixture.

The third bowl will be for the final coating. Combine your breadcrumbs with some seasonings. Panko breadcrumbs are a popular choice as they create an extra crispy coating. You can also use seasoned breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs if you prefer. For added flavour, toss in some snipped fresh dill or dried dill with the breadcrumbs. Mix the ingredients together to ensure an even coating.

Once you've prepared your dredging station, you can start dipping your pickles! Make sure to pat the pickles dry before you begin. This will help the coatings stick better. Dip each pickle first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to coat each pickle evenly and shake off any excess coating between dips.

Coating the pickles

Next, you'll need to set up a dredging station. This involves having three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place some flour. You can use regular flour or, for a low-carb option, almond or coconut flour. In the second bowl, you'll need an egg mixture. This can be a combination of egg and water, or egg and milk. For extra flavour, you can add spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to this mixture. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs and your choice of seasonings. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Now you're ready to start coating the pickles. First, toss the pickles in the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dunk them in the egg mixture, ensuring they are completely coated, and shake off any excess again. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help the coating adhere.

Once all your pickles are coated, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer and cooked until crispy and golden brown.

Air-frying the pickles

Next, you'll need to set up a dredging station. This involves having three separate bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. If you're using any dry seasonings, like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, or dried dill, add them to the flour and mix. The second bowl should contain the egg wash. For this, you can use a combination of beaten eggs and water, or eggs and milk. You can also add extra seasonings to the egg wash if desired. The third bowl should contain the breadcrumbs. If you're using Panko or seasoned breadcrumbs, add some fresh or dried dill for extra flavour.

Now you're ready to start coating the pickles. First, dip the pickles in the flour mixture, coating both sides, and shake off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, making sure they're completely coated. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres.

Once all your pickles are coated, it's time to air-fry them. Place the pickles in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary. Spray the pickles with cooking spray, which will help them get crispy and golden brown.

Air-fry the pickles for about 8-10 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. For best results, flip the pickles halfway through the cooking time and spritz them with cooking spray again.

Your air-fried pickles are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a snack or appetizer, and don't forget to serve them with your favourite dipping sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions