The Joy of a Crispy Bite: Homemade Fried Pickles
Learn how to make crispy, golden-brown fried pickles at home! This recipe delivers that satisfying crunch and tangy dill flavor you crave, without needing a deep fryer.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup (118 ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 3 kosher dill pickles, cut into slices just shy of ¼” thick and lightly patted dry
- Dipping Sauce (optional):
- 2 Tablespoons Ranch dressing
- 1 Tablespoon BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- Dash tabasco sauce
- Dash of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan 2-3" deep with oil for frying. Fix a frying thermometer to the edge and set your heat to medium. Oil will need to reach 375F (190C) before you can begin frying.
- Meanwhile, prepare your breading mixture by whisking together flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
- Once oil has reached 375F (190C), coat pickle slices in flour mixture, gently shake off excess, dredge in buttermilk/egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture again.
- Carefully transfer to oil and fry 3-4 pickle slices at a time for 90 seconds on each side or until golden brown.
- Use a slotted spoon or strainer to remove from oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Make sure oil returns to 375F (190C) before frying your next batch of pickles.
- Serve warm with dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can use pre-sliced dill pickle chips if you prefer, but I recommend cutting your own for better control over the thickness.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot! Fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices in the breading.
- Enjoy! And please, let me know what you think in the comments below!