Air Fryer Red Robin-Style Fried Pickles: A Tasty Treat

If you're craving Red Robin's fried pickles but don't want to go out, you're in luck! You can easily make this popular snack at home using an air fryer. All you need are a few simple ingredients: pickles (dill or bread-and-butter), all-purpose flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and some spices like paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The process is simple: dry the pickles, dip them in a flour-egg-breadcrumb mixture, spray with cooking spray, and air fry until golden and crispy. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or garlic aioli, and enjoy!

Preparing the pickles

Step 1: Choose the Right Pickles

Select a jar of dill pickle chips or slices for the perfect tangy flavour that mimics the signature Red Robin taste. Thick-cut dill pickle slices are ideal as they hold up well to the breading process. If you prefer, you can also use bread-and-butter pickles or even slice your own pickle spears into coins.

Step 2: Dry the Pickles

Place the pickles on a layer of paper towels and pat them dry with more paper towels. This step is crucial to removing excess moisture, which will help the breading adhere better and prevent sogginess. Ensure you dry each pickle thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

Step 3: Set Up Your Breading Station

Arrange three shallow bowls or containers for the breading process. In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour. You can also add some salt and pepper to the flour for extra seasoning. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs, which act as a binding agent. For a plant-based option, you can use a flax or chia egg instead. The third bowl will be for the crispy coating. Combine breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, and additional salt and pepper to taste. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.

Step 4: Bread the Pickles

Take each pickle and dip it first into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dunk it in the egg mixture to coat evenly, and finally, toss it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. Place the breaded pickles on a plate or wire rack while you prepare the rest.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to 400°F for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure an even crispness. You can use an olive oil cooking spray for the best flavour.

Now you're ready to place the breaded pickles into the air fryer and cook them to crispy perfection!

Making the batter

The first step to making Red Robin fried pickles in an air fryer is to pat the pickle slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This is important because it helps the coating stick better and prevents sogginess. Use dill pickle slices to mimic the signature Red Robin flavour, but you can also experiment with other types of pickles such as bread-and-butter pickles.

Next, set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or containers. In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour, which provides a light coating for the pickles. You can also add salt and pepper to the flour and stir to combine. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs, which act as a binding agent to hold the breading in place. Finally, the third bowl will contain breadcrumbs mixed with seasonings. For the classic Red Robin flavour, use regular breadcrumbs and add paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. However, you can also experiment with gluten-free breadcrumbs or other seasonings like cayenne pepper or Parmesan cheese.

Now you are ready to start breading the pickles. First, dip each pickle slice into the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dunk them in the egg mixture to completely coat, and again shake off any excess. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coat.

Coating the pickles

Next, set up three shallow bowls or containers. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also add salt and pepper to this bowl and stir to combine. The flour will create a light coating, helping the batter to stick to the pickles. In the second bowl, add beaten eggs. These act as a binding agent, holding the breading in place. In the third and final bowl, add your breadcrumbs. For an extra crispy texture, you can use panko breadcrumbs. To this bowl, also add some paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix well.

Now you're ready to start breading! Take each pickle and dip it first into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dunk it into the egg mixture, ensuring it's completely coated, before shaking off any excess egg. Finally, toss the pickle in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks evenly. Place the coated pickles on a rack or plate and allow them to sit for a couple of minutes before cooking.

Air-frying the pickles

Start by drying the pickles thoroughly with paper towels, removing as much moisture as possible. This step is important as it ensures the coating will stick to the pickles and helps to avoid sogginess.

Next, set up your breading station. You'll need three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can add a little seasoning to the flour if you like—a bit of cayenne pepper or paprika, for instance, will add a kick. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs, which act as a binding agent. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with your choice of seasonings. For an authentic Red Robin flavour, use dill pickle slices and season the breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Now you're ready to start breading the pickles. First, dip each pickle slice into the flour and shake off any excess. Then, dunk it in the egg mixture, shaking off any excess again. Finally, toss the pickle in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.

Preheat your air fryer to around 390-400°F (190-200°C) for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded pickle slices inside, ensuring they are in a single layer with space between them so they cook evenly. Spray the tops of the pickles lightly with cooking spray.

Air fry the pickles for 6-8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden and crispy. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your pickle slices.

Once they're done, let the pickles cool slightly before serving. They're great on their own, but even better with a dipping sauce on the side. Try ranch dressing, spicy ketchup, or garlic aioli for a real treat.

Serving suggestions

Red Robin's fried pickles are a perfect appetiser or side dish, and they go well with a variety of meals. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your fried pickles:

• Dipping Sauces: Serve the fried pickles with a side of dipping sauce. They pair well with ranch dressing, spicy ketchup, remoulade sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, vegan ranch, chipotle ranch dressing, or Red Robin's signature campfire sauce.
• Burgers: Fried pickles are a delicious side to juicy burgers, chicken sandwiches, or veggie burgers, creating a classic comfort food combination.
• Salads: The crunchy pickles offer a tasty contrast to light, fresh salads.
• Fries: Serve the fried pickles with sweet potato fries for a delightful mix of savoury and sweet flavours.
• Onion Rings: Add some onion rings for a full "Red Robin-style" experience.
• Chicken Wings: Complement the tangy pickles with spicy chicken wings for a hearty, crowd-pleasing spread.
• Coleslaw: The creamy texture and flavour of coleslaw can also balance out the tanginess of the fried pickles.

Feel free to get creative and adjust the seasonings and sauces to your preference. Enjoy your homemade Red Robin-style fried pickles!

Frequently asked questions