Crispy Fried Pickles (Printable)

Tangy dill pickle slices coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and air-fried to golden crispiness.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pickles

01 - 16 dill pickle slices, patted dry

→ Breading

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 tablespoon milk
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ For Serving

11 - Ranch dressing or preferred dipping sauce

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: flour in the first, whisked eggs and milk in the second, and a mix of panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, kosher salt, and black pepper in the third.
03 - Pat pickle slices thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
04 - Dredge each pickle slice in flour, shaking off any surplus.
05 - Dip floured pickle slices into the egg and milk mixture, evenly coating both sides.
06 - Press each slice into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
07 - Place coated pickles in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking oil.
08 - Air-fry for 6 minutes.
09 - Flip pickles, spray again with oil, then air-fry for an additional 4 to 6 minutes until golden and crispy.
10 - Serve immediately with ranch or your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're ridiculously easy and come together in under 25 minutes total, even if you're not used to breading things.
  • The air fryer makes them crispy without the heaviness of deep frying, so you can actually enjoy more than one without feeling weighed down.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about the contrast of tangy pickle and crunchy breading that keeps you reaching for just one more.
02 -
  • Moisture is the real adversary here; wet pickles will steam instead of fry, so that initial drying step isn't something to rush through or skip.
  • Panko breadcrumbs are worth seeking out because regular breadcrumbs don't deliver that same satisfying crunch that makes this recipe special.
  • The air fryer temperature of 400°F is intentional—lower and they stay soft, higher and the breading can brown too fast before the coating sets properly.
03 -
  • Experiment with different dipping sauces beyond ranch—spicy mayo, sriracha cream, or even a simple tartar sauce opens up entirely new flavor combinations.
  • The key to golden, not-burnt breading is watching them closely during the final minutes; air fryer temperatures can vary, so trust your eyes more than the timer.
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