Fried pickles are a fun, crispy snack just like you’d find at the county fair. This easy version makes crispy fried pickles with a quick batter and crunchy panko. Serve them warm with ranch for dipping, or pile them onto burgers for extra crunch.

basket of Crispy Fried Pickles with pickles on the side

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights

  • Flavor: Tangy dill pickles with a light, golden Panko crust for the ultimate crunch in every bite. 
  • Skill Level: Intermediate. This recipe requires shallow frying and attention to oil temperature for the best results.
  • Prep Note: For the best crunch, dry the pickles first, fry them in batches, and keep them warm in the oven for easy serving.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve crispy deep-fried pickles right away with your favorite dips like buttermilk ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or homemade aioli
Ingrediets to make crispy fried dill pickles labeled: salt & pepper, paprika, milk, egg, baking powder, panko breadcrumbs, flour, and dill pickles

Ingredient Notes

  • Pickles: Use dill pickles for a classic flavor and crunch. Spicy, sour, or garlic pickles make fried pickles into a new recipe every time. For the best results, choose a thicker pickle and pat them dry before coating for a good crunch. Thin slices won’t hold up or give that bold pickle bite in every piece.
  • Breading: A quick batter helps the crumbs stick to the pickles, especially after a short 5-minute rest. Panko gives the crispiest crunch, and dried dill adds a flavor boost.

Prep the Pickle

  • Best for classic fried pickles: pickle chips (rounds).
  • Best for big pickle flavor: spears (fry a little longer).
  • Best for burgers or sandwiches: long slices (sandwich-style cuts).

How to Make Fried Pickles

  1. Combine batter ingredients (full recipe below) and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
  2. Pat pickle slices dry, dip each piece in the batter, then into the breadcrumbs.
  3. Fry in hot oil until both sides are golden brown.

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

cooked Crispy Fried Dill Pickles on a baking sheet

Holly’s Helpful Hints

  • Keep panko dry by adding ½ cup to the small bowl at a time, and refilling as you go.
  • Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or canola oil.
  • Fry in small batches and use a heavy-bottomed pot so the oil temp stays steady and the coating stays crisp.
  • If the coating slips, the pickles were likely too wet, or the crumbs got damp. Pat dry and use fresh panko to recoat them.
  • Reheat leftover deep-fried dill pickles in an air fryer or place them under the broiler until they crisp up.

Perfect Pickle Partners

Did you make these Fried Pickles? Leave a rating and comment below! 

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Fried pickles on a serving dish
4.95 from 191 votes

Fried Pickles

Servings 4 servings
Fried pickles are crispy, tangy, and so addictive. They’re a fun snack that’s perfect for dipping and sharing!
Servings 4 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
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Ingredients  

  • 12 dill pickle slices
  • cups Panko bread crumbs
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • oil for frying

Batter

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill optional

Instructions 

  • In a non-stick skillet, preheat oil to 360°F to 370°F. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk Panko, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  • In another medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, milk, baking powder, egg, paprika, black pepper, and dill until smooth. Let rest for at least 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, dab the pickle slices dry with paper towels.
  • Place about ½ cup of Panko bread crumb mixture in a small bowl.*
  • Dip each pickle slice in the flour mixture and then gently dip into the bread crumbs. Set the dipped pickles on a baking sheet and let them rest for a few minutes while you dip the remaining pickles. This will allow the crumbs to stick better.
  • Fry in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and immediately sprinkle with salt.
  • Serve with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • *Note: If the crumbs get wet, they don’t stick, so it’s best to use just a little Panko at a time, and keep adding to the bowl as you go (work in small batches).
  • *Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients used and the temperature of the oil. 
  • Additional seasonings can be added to the batter. Try garlic powder or Cajun seasoning.
  • Leftovers can last up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat under the broiler or in the air fryer until crispy again. 
4.95 from 191 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 250 | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 666mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 572IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Party Food, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American

Recipe slightly adapted from Bake Like a Pro as seen on YouTube

Crispy Fried Pickles with a title
light and zesty Crispy Fried Pickles with writing
Crispy Fried Pickles with dip and a title
Crispy Fried Pickles on a sheet pan and in a basket with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
See more posts by Holly

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4.95 from 191 votes (154 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. Absolutely! These can be air fried at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes. Flip them after 5 minutes.

  1. These were so good! The only thing I didn’t do was to sprinkle them with salt, and I was glad I didn’t. I used Claussen pickles and I find them already salty enough. I had a ton of batter left over, so next time I’ll 1/2 that part of the recipe. Thanks for another keeper recipe!5 stars