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.
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.
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 3/4 -2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 tablespoon dried dill
- 1/2 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.
Heather
Monday 23rd of January 2023
Iโve reviewed this recipe before, and Iโll do it again so that yโall know itโs LEGIT. This ainโt 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
Iโm 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!