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Air Fryer Crunchy Fried Pickles

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!

air fryer fried pickles in a basket
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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.

panko breadcrumbs, flour, egg, buttermilk, and dill seasoning in separate bowls

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.

sandwich pickles in a jar

How to Make Fried Pickles in Air Fryer

  1. You will need to create a batter for the pickles using all-purpose flour, buttermilk, breadcrumbs (I used panko), an egg, and seasoning.
  2. Season the flour with dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Add the buttermilk to the flour and stir.
  4. Dip the pickles in the buttermilk flour mixture and then the breadcrumbs.
  5. Freeze.
  6. Air fry.
  7. Dip the fried pickles in Homemade Keto Ranch Dressing.
pickles laid on a paper towel on a cutting board

Air Fryer Temperature

I’ve tested them at both 400 degrees and 370 degrees. They cook and brown faster at 400 degrees without burning.

air fryer fried pickles breading in glass bowls
breaded pickles in an air fryer basket

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.

air fryer crunchy fried pickles in a basket with a side of ranch dressing

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.

air fryer crunchy fried pickles in a 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.
air fryer crunchy fried pickles in a basket with a side of ranch dressing

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

person holding air fryer fried pickle with ranch
air fryer crunchy fried pickles in a basket with a side of ranch dressing
Print Pin
5 from 23 votes

Air Fryer Crunchy Fried Pickles

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!
Save this recipe here.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer appetizers, air fryer fried pickles, air fryer pickles
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
freezing 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 142kcal

Ingredients

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

How to Make the Pickles Low Carb
Omit the buttermilk, flour, and breadcrumbs. Replace with 1 3/4-2 cups crushed pork rinds and 2 tablespoons of blanched almond flour. Instead of using 1 egg in the recipe, use 2 eggs.
Misc 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.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Recipe Rating




Heather

Monday 23rd of January 2023

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

Monday 23rd of January 2023

I'm glad you think so!

Luann

Monday 6th of June 2022

Love them! Only, how many pickles are in a serving size of 1g?

staysnatched

Monday 6th of June 2022

I’m glad you enjoyed them!

Selki3

Saturday 22nd of January 2022

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

Sunday 23rd of January 2022

A great one to add to the rotation!

Heather

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

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

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

Yes! A lot healthier.

Lee Ann Guynn

Tuesday 4th of January 2022

Can you say ADDICTIVE? We flight over these and the keto dressing is the bomb! Easy and fun in the air fryer!

staysnatched

Tuesday 4th of January 2022

Addicting for sure!