My air fryer fried pickles are crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They’re made with 8 ingredients and taste like they’re from a restaurant, but are easy to make!
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My Crispy Recipe For Air Fried Pickles
Fried pickles are one of my husband Ben’s favorite snacks to get at a restaurant, so I just had to find a way to make air fryer fried pickles.
I tested out a bunch of ways, but ended up with the 3-bowl breading process to get a nice coating on the pickles. I also turned to panko breadcrumbs to get that nice extra crunch on them.
It’s been a while since Ben has ordered them, because I’m always making air fried pickles at home, and honestly they taste even better than the fried version with a ton of oil.
For more air fryer vegetable recipes, be sure to check out my air fryer okra, air fryer fried green tomatoes, air fryer cauliflower, air fryer squash and zucchini, and air fryer red potatoes!
Air Fryer Pickles Ingredients
- Pickle slices – I like to use dill pickle slices because they have the perfect tangy flavor and sturdy texture for breading and are all sliced evenly.
- Panko bread crumbs – Panko creates a light, crunchy coating that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Egg – The egg helps the breading stick to the pickles so the coating stays in place while cooking.
- Water – I mix a little water with the egg to create a smooth coating mixture.
- All-purpose flour – Flour creates the first layer of breading so the egg and panko adhere properly.
- Garlic powder – I add garlic powder to the breading mixture to give the fried pickles extra savory flavor.
- Paprika – Paprika adds a mild smokiness.
- Dried dill – I think a little dried dill really dials up the pickle flavor!
How to Make Air Fried Fried Pickles
STEP ONE: Drain the pickles well and lay them on a few layers of paper towels. Pat to dry.
STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
STEP THREE: In a wide, shallow bowl, add the Panko crumbs. In a second bowl, whisk the egg with water. In a third bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, and dill.
STEP FOUR: Dredge each pickle through the flour mixture, dip them in the egg, then press them into the Panko crumbs until fully coated.
STEP FIVE: Place a single layer of pickles in the basket then spritz them with oil. Air fry them 6 to 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
Recipe Tips
- I always pat the pickle chips dry with a paper towel after draining so the breading sticks better and doesn’t get soggy from excess moisture.
- For an easy breading process, I like to use shallow bowls for each station. It just feels much faster than using bigger bowls.
- I use my fingers to really press the Panko into each pickle chip to get the best, crunchiest coating on the outside.
- To make sure the hot air can circulate properly and crisp up every chip, I place the breaded pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each chip.
- My secret to extra crispy, golden brown breading is to lightly spray the pickle chips with cooking spray right before air frying. That little bit of oil goes a long way!
Variations and Substitutions
- I sometimes add cayenne pepper to the breading for a spicy kick.
- Mixing parmesan cheese into the panko gives the chips extra savory flavor, plus Parmesan crisps up surprisingly well!
- When I want to add some subtle heat, I’ll use spicy dill pickle chips instead of regular. It’s also fun to mix and match so the spice level of each bite is a surprise!
- If I don’t have Panko breadcrumbs, I’ll use regular breadcrumbs.
- I occasionally cut pickles into spears instead of using pickle slices to create thicker breaded pickles. I cut each pickle in half lengthwise, then in half lengthwise again to create the spears.
What To Serve With Fried Pickles in the Air Fryer
When I’m serving my fried pickle chips as an easy appetizer, I love pairing them with spicy mayo, honey sriracha sauce, smoky red pepper crema, or classic ranch dressing for dipping.
They also make an amazing side to go with air fryer baby back ribs, air fryer grilled chicken, or air fryer ribeye steak!
Air Fryer Fried Pickles FAQs
What kind of pickles should I use?
I usually reach for classic dill pickle chips so I don’t have to slice them myself. Basically any pickles will work, even homemade ones, as long as they’re cut into even slices that will cook at the same rate.
Why do I dry the outsides of the pickle slices?
I always dry my pickle slices with a paper towel to help the breading stick properly and remove excess moisture that could make the breading soggy. It makes a huge difference in the crispiness, and the insides still retain enough moisture to turn out hot and juicy!
How should I store leftovers?
When I have leftovers, I first let the air fryer pickle chips fully cool to avoid any condensation that could make the breading soggy. Once cooled, I transfer the chips to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to reheat fried pickles in the air fryer
The air fryer is my favorite way to reheat fried pickles! I preheat to 350 degrees F, add the leftover air fryer fried pickle chips in a single layer, then air fry for about 3 minutes until they’re heated through and the outside is crispy again.
More Easy Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
- Air fryer corn on the cob
- Air fryer green beans
- Air fryer potato wedges
- Air fryer mushrooms
- Air fryer carrots
- Air fryer garlic bread
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Crispy Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Equipment
- FridgeFork Condiment Fork optional
Ingredients
- 36 large pickle slices
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ½ tablespoon water
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
Instructions
- Drain pickles well and lay them on a few layers of paper towels, drying them well.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, place Panko crumbs. In a second bowl, whisk egg with water. In a third bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, and dill.
- Dredge each pickle through the flour mixture, dip them in the egg, then press them into the Panko to coat.
- Place a single layer of pickles in the basket. Lightly spritz the tops of the pickles with oil, then air fry them for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I have read that using cooking spray directly onto your air fryer will damage your air fryer
So long as you only lightly oil everything and be sure to clean thoroughly after each time you use your air fryer you should not have any problems. I have used oil in the air fryer for many things and just followed these simple steps, my air fryer is in perfect condition after many times of use.