Easy, Air Fryer Crunchy Fried Pickles is the best, quick recipe that uses panko breadcrumbs to produce perfect crispy chips. Fried pickles in the air fryer can't get much easier! Dip these in ranch or your favorite dipping sauce!
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This post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.
What are the best things to make in an air fryer? You can make just about anything but breaded appetizers like Air Fryer Onion Rings or Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings are amazing!
What is an air fryer...and how does it work? An air fryer is like a convection oven, but different. It's so versatile, you can make something as simple as Air Fryer Sausage! A fan inside the air fryer circulates heat at an even temperature that helps brown and create a crust on food as it cooks.
Can you use batter in an air fryer? Absolutely, I will show you my trick on how to keep the batter from spreading onto the air fryer basket.
Table of Contents
The Best Pickles to Use
I used sandwich pickles. I recommend looking for the largest pickles you can find. That will make breading them easier.
How to Make Fried Pickles in Air Fryer
- You will need to create a batter for the pickles using all-purpose flour, buttermilk, breadcrumbs (I used panko), an egg, and seasoning.
- Season the flour with dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the buttermilk to the flour and stir.
- Dip the pickles in the buttermilk flour mixture and then the breadcrumbs.
- Freeze.
- Air fry.
- Dip the fried pickles in Homemade Keto Ranch Dressing.
Air Fryer Temperature
I've tested them at both 400 degrees and 370 degrees. They cook and brown faster at 400 degrees without burning.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
7-12 minutes seems to be a safe range. Cook the pickles longer if you like them really crunchy.
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How to Keep Breading Intact
Buttermilk works well in a dish like this. Try my Air Fryer Buttermilk Fried Chicken Wings, you will love them!
To keep the breading from falling apart, I freeze the breaded pickles for a few minutes. As you bread the pickles you will notice they are STICKY. It's really easy for the breading to come off even as you are handling them.
Freezing them for a small moment will keep it intact and help prevent it from coming off on the air fryer basket.
How to Reheat
I store leftover pickles in the fridge and I reheat them for a few minutes on 400 degrees to get them crisp again. Spritz with oil if necessary for crisping.
Recipe Tips
- Keep a moist kitchen towel nearby to wipe your hands while breading. They will get sticky!
- The buttermilk and flour batter will be very thick. This is normal. The thick batter will help produce thick pickles.
- You can make your own buttermilk using 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon. Read more about How to Make Buttermilk here.
- Cook in batches if necessary.
- You can use normal breadcrumbs instead of panko if you wish. Seasoned breadcrumbs will also work.
More Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Potato Chips
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer Southwestern Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Ravioli
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Pair With These Main Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Frozen Burgers
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Brats
Air Fryer Steak
Air Fryer Spatchcock Chicken
Air Fryer Fish Sandwich
Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp
Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Air Fryer Crunchy Fried Pickles
Ingredients
- 24 oz dill pickle slices
- 1 ¾ -2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup flour
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ½ tablespoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or use air fryer parchment paper.
- Dry the pickles completely. It will make them easier to bread.
- Add the flour to a bowl large enough to dredge the pickles. Season the flour with the dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add the buttermilk and egg to the seasoned flour. Beat and stir to combine.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs to a separate bowl large enough to dredge the pickles.
- Dredge the pickles in the flour buttermilk mixture and then the panko breadcrumbs. Keep a moist kitchen towel handy for you hands. They will get sticky.
- Place the breaded pickles on a plate. After breading the pickles, freeze the pickles for 15 minutes. This is an optional step, but highly recommended. It helps keep the breading intact.
- Place the pickles in the air fryer. Do not stack them. Cook in batches if needed.
- Spray the pickles with cooking oil. I use olive oil.
- Cook for 7-10 minutes on 400 degrees flipping after 5 minutes. Each air fryer brand will cook at different speeds. I also like my fried pickles really crunchy, so I let them cook for 10 minutes.
- I paired the fried pickles with ranch topped with dried dill.
Video
Notes
- Keep a moist kitchen towel nearby to wipe your hands while breading. They will get sticky!
- The buttermilk and flour batter will be very thick. This is normal. The thick batter will help produce thick pickles.
- You can make your own buttermilk using 1 cup of milk and 1 tablespoon of lemon. Read more about How to Make Buttermilk here.
- Cook in batches if necessary.
- You can use normal breadcrumbs instead of panko if you wish. Seasoned breadcrumbs will also work.
Linda says
These were fantastic! And I thought I didn't like fried pickles! And your tip on freezing them for 15 minutes was genius! I might try that with some of my other air fryer recipes. These will be on the table for the super bowl for sure..
Suzy says
These were so easy to put together! Loved the panko and the buttermilk! Just perfect!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Tiffanu says
Man, oh man, these were amazing! I am definitely a fried pickle fan and had no idea they could taste so good at home. The recipe was so easy and the tip to freeze for 15 mins was just what was needed to make the batter "stick". This one will definitely be in rotation here, my husband and kids approved!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear they are kid approved!
Andrea Dinh says
WOW! These are incredible! The freezing tip is amazing. I’ve always had so many issues with the batter dripping everywhere. Flavor is delicious!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Kelley Parks says
Thank you for this recipe!! My husband loves fried pickles, but when we order them at restaurants they are always dripping in grease! These were so easy and delicious!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Lilia S says
Sooooo good and super easy to make!
staysnatched says
I love an easy recipe!
Coby says
These are delicious! My kids devoured them (with my help, of course!) and told me that I HAVE to make them again. They are so crunchy and perfectly seasoned!
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad even the kids enjoyed them!
Jewel says
These are the most amazing air fried pickles I've had. My husband could not get enough! It's safe to say, we'll be making these again. 🙂
staysnatched says
Yay! I love when air fryer pickles are a hit!
Brooke says
Amazing! Tastes just like regular fried pickles but macro friendly. I highly suggest!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Dave S says
Absolute lover of all things pickle. Bought new air fryer and will definitely do your recipe. Can you use bread & butter pickles?
staysnatched says
You can use whatever pickles you like.
Sabrina Boucher says
Since the pandemic and not being able to go out to eat I've really missed simple things like fried pickles so I was beyond excited to try these. They are so good, will definitely be making over and over again.
staysnatched says
So glad to hear you will be making them over and over again.
Kate says
The kind of recipe where you usually have most items items on hand. Read the full recipe. These came together super quick. Better than a restaurant!
staysnatched says
I love that feedback! Thank you!
Ana says
These were SO GOOD I made them as a snack before dinner for my family but they ended up being the star of the show! Planning to make these again tomorrow with your Chick Fil A sandwich and it’s safe to say them I’ll make them over and over!
staysnatched says
I love that idea! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Sasha says
So good! I didn’t use buttermilk due to an allergy in the family and they still turned out wonderfully. I used Claussen sandwich slices, since that’s what I had on hand, and they turned out great.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed these.
Kelsee says
We are fried pickle fans and this recipe was perfect! My husband says they’re the best he’s ever had!
staysnatched says
Now that's a true compliment!
Mia says
Great recipe! These came out so crispy and delicious! I made a vegan ranch dressing to dip these in. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Marsha Patrick says
So good! Made these for super bowl Sunday appetizers. I wanted to decrease the carbs so I used the King Arthur flour Brandi recommends and instead of bread crumbs I used crushed pork skins. They came out amazing and the whole family ate them not even knowing they had some low carb subs. Make sure you read all of Brandi’s notes on these recipes. They are always diamonds in there that you need to have a successful outcome.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing the tip about reading the recipe!
Shaun says
Another fire recipe! Making me look like a cooking genius ! The hubby and kids were raving about this snack!
staysnatched says
haha I'm here for this.
Ali Chamblin says
Made these for the Super Bowl & they were sooo good! My fiancé and I ate them all and made more! These recipes are so easy & yummy if you follow the directions!
staysnatched says
Thank you for saying that! I'm glad you enjoyed them!
holly says
These were amazing! I used almond milk instead of buttermilk and a stale sleeve of Ritz crackers for the coating because apparently I had no Panko crumbs! And these substitutions were fine!! Yum!!! Husband loved them, will make again!!
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Rachel says
These were easy to make and so delicious. I appreciated the reheating instructions as there were leftovers. They tasted just as great reheated. I will be make by these again soon!
staysnatched says
I'm glad those were helpful!
Lee Ann Guynn says
Can you say ADDICTIVE? We flight over these and the keto dressing is the bomb! Easy and fun in the air fryer!
staysnatched says
Addicting for sure!
Heather says
These are so good and so easy! Fried pickles are one of my favorite appetizers, but you just can't get them anywhere in Germany, so having a trusty recipe to make them myself is a must. Glad to have this one, especially since they aren't deep fried!
staysnatched says
Yes! A lot healthier.
Selki3 says
These were sooooo good! I've had fried pickles at a restaurant before but these were so much better. My husband loved them. I can't wait to make them again.
staysnatched says
A great one to add to the rotation!
Luann says
Love them! Only, how many pickles are in a serving size of 1g?
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Heather says
I’ve reviewed this recipe before, and I’ll do it again so that y’all know it’s LEGIT. This ain’t one of the other mediocre air fryer fried pickles recipes on the internet. So good!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you think so!