Easy Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Jump to Recipe

You will love these crave-worthy crispy Air Fryer Fried Pickles that are sooooo easy and quick to make! Fried Pickles Air Fryer style are perfect for serving up as a fast snack, party appetizers, and are just the thing for game day gatherings.

Weight Watcher Points included.

close up of air fryer fried pickles served with a dipping sauce

Air Fryer Fried Pickles are about to turn your snack game upside down. Imagine the tangy zing of dill pickles encased in a golden, crisp coating, and all of this with the convenience of your air fryer.

These Air Fryer Fried Pickles are a must for any pickle enthusiast. They add a fun twist to your appetizer spread, making them the perfect snack for game nights, family gatherings, or when you want something special to munch on.

Heck, why not toss a few of these fried pickles on your burger?! Trust me, folks, you can’t go wrong. 

Want to save this Recipe?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Along with recipes & tips every week!

Save Recipe

Need some dinner inspiration tonight, guys??? Pair a nice Juicy Air Fryer Burger with these lightly breaded Air Fried Pickles, and you’ll have a mouthwatering meal.

This simple air fryer recipe version makes a fantastic appetizer or super easy snack, and it’s a great side dish to complete a meal.

What Are Fried Pickles?

Traditionally, a pickle is sliced, breaded, and then deep-fried into golden, crunchy bites of perfection. They’re a popular Southern snack that started to rise in popularity in the 1960s.

Like many of my Air Fryer recipes, including Air Fryer French Fries and Air Fryer Tofu, you can enjoy a healthier version of similar recipes without all the deep frying guilt, fat, and calories. With just a spritz of oil in the Air Fryer, these things crisp up like deep-fried ones. 

Why Make This Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe

  • Healthier Option – Air Fryer Fried Pickles offers a lighter alternative to traditional deep-fried versions, making them a guilt-free snack you can indulge in.
  • Perfectly Crispy – These pickles achieve golden crispiness on the outside while maintaining a juicy bite on the inside, striking the perfect balance of texture.
  • Quick and Simple – This recipe is straightforward and fast to prepare, ideal for a delicious snack without the wait.
  • Budget-Friendly – Not only are these Air Fryer Fried Pickles a crowd-pleaser, but they’re also a cost-effective option for a snack, appetizer, or side dish.
a plate of air fryer fried pickles and a cup of dipping sauce.

Ingredient Notes

  • Sliced pickles – I prefer either bread and butter pickles or dill pickles. Try either and see what you like. You can start with whole pickles you slice yourself or store-bought sliced ones.
  • Buttermilk – use store-bought or this homemade version.
  • Franks hot sauce (optional) – add some heat if you desire.
  • Breadcrumbs – you can use regular or panko bread crumbs to give them that crunchy coating.
  • Grated parmesan – freshly grated and finely grated cheese gives the best results.
  • Spices – this flavor comes from oregano, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.

Ready to learn how to make these fried pickles? Grab those sliced pickles and the other ingredients, and I will show you…

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Air Fryer Fried Pickles 

Get a complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. 
  2. Drain dill pickle slices and pat dry using a paper towel.
  3. Put seasoned buttermilk in a shallow bowl. 
  4. Mix bread crumbs, cheese, and seasonings in another bowl.
  5. Working quickly, dip pickles in buttermilk mix, shake to drip off excess buttermilk, dredge both sides of the pickle in the seasoned bread crumbs mixture and then add coated pickle slices to the air fryer basket.
  6. Keep working quickly to fill the basket in a single layer, then insert the basket into the Air Fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes.
  7. About 3 minutes before they’re done, add extra oil by lightly spraying the pickles with cooking spray (oil spray) so that the breadcrumbs can crisp up and become golden brown.
  8. Repeat by breading the rest of the pickles and frying in batches until finished.
image collage showing the steps for making air fryer fried pickles

Expert Tips

  • Make sure the pickles are patted dry properly so the coating sticks on.
  • You may want to split your seasoned breadcrumb mixture into 2 bowls. Your first bowl of seasonings may start to clump together and get soggy from the dredging of buttermilk-coated pickles. Having a second bowl ready to go will help. 
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in a single layer, allowing the hot air to circulate and crisp up the food. You may need to cook in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your Air Fryer.
  • You can use pre-sliced pickles or slice the pickles yourself.
  • You can slice pickles into wedges or long slices (pickle spears) rather than rounds, or buy pre-cut versions of either shape. 
  • Keep slices the same size so they cook evenly at an even rate.
  • Serve your fried pickles warm or they’ll get soggy if you wait to enjoy them.
  • Use shallow bowls to dredge the pickle chips in. 
  • For a low carb version, use almond flour for the flour mixture for coating.
  • If you prefer, you can use seasoned all purpose flour mixture to make these instead of breadcrumbs.
  • Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important always to check your food for doneness.

Delicious Variations

  • Vary the seasoning – Use Cajun seasoning, Creole seasoning, and Italian seasoning for different flavors.
  • Add extra heat – Red pepper flakes, cayenne seasoning, and black pepper for some heat.
  • Swap the buttermilk – If you prefer, use a beaten egg mixture as a binder instead.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – You can pre-cut the pickles. These are best served up immediately.
  • Store – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
  • Freeze – You can freeze these, but the texture changes, so I don’t recommend it. 
  • Reheat – in the air fryer at 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C for 2 to 3 minutes.
top down view of a plate filled with air fryer fried pickles

FAQs

How long do you air fry frozen pickles?

When air frying frozen pickles, cooking them at 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C for about 7 to 10 minutes is typically best.

However, this can vary depending on the pickles’ thickness and your air fryer’s specific model. It’s a good idea to check them halfway through cooking and flip or shake the basket for even crisping.

Why Does The Breading Fall Off?

Breading falls off primarily due to excess moisture on the pickles, which can hinder the breading’s ability to stick.

Also, insufficient coating or not allowing the breading to set before cooking can lead to it slipping off during the frying process. You may want to refrigerate it for 30 minutes.

Why Does My Breadcrumb Mix Get Clumpy?

Your breadcrumb mix might get clumpy if it’s exposed to moisture or wet ingredients, like excess juice from the pickles, during the breading process.

This can happen if you dip your fingers into the mix after handling the wet pickles, causing the breadcrumbs to clump and lose their ability to coat evenly. 

How To Make Sure Your Fried Pickle Chips Are Crispy

To ensure your air fryer pickle chips are crispy, start by patting the pickles dry to remove excess moisture.

Then, use a light yet thorough flour coating, followed by a dip in beaten egg mixture and a final coat in breadcrumbs or a breadcrumb mixture.

Let them rest for a few minutes before frying in the air fryer at the right temperature. This process helps the coating adhere and turn beautifully crispy when cooked.

cooked air fryer fried pickles inside the air fryer basket

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of air fryer recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:

Serve With:

  • Favorite dipping sauce – You could serve these with your favorite dipping sauce like Remoulade Sauce, Yum Yum Sauce, Thousand Island dressing, ranch dressing, Southwest ranch or fry sauce.
  • Juicy Air Fryer Burgers – Add these fried pickles to your burger for added crunch.
  • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Dill pickles work perfectly with chicken tenders as a quick side.
a hand reaching into a plate of air fryer fried pickles with dipping sauce and napkins
  • A fantastic air fryer to make these tasty air fried pickles.
  • Sharp knives – Use a sharp knife to slice these dill pickles perfectly for an amazing appetizer.
  • A set of mixing bowls to whip up this recipe with ease.
  • For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.)

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of these.

Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Fried Pickles recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get the Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe:

Don’t forget to tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or Twitter if you try Easy Air Fryer Fried Pickles! It is really, really awesome for me when you make one of my recipes and I’d love to see it. You can also share it on my Facebook page. Please pin this recipe to Pinterest too! Thank you for reading Recipes from a Pantry.

close up of air fryer fried pickles served with a dipping sauce
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Easy Air Fryer Fried Pickles

This Air Fryer Fried Pickles offers a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried, crunchy snack.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, side, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, southern
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 252kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (320g) sliced pickles
  • 1 cup (240g) buttermilk mixed with a dash of Franks hot seasoning (optional)
  • 1 cup (125g) breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (23g) grated parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
  • Pat the pickles dry.
  • Put seasoned buttermilk in a bowl.
  • Mix together breadcrumbs, cheese and seasonings in another bowl.
  • Working quickly dip pickles in buttermilk mix, shake to drip off excess buttermilk, dredge both sides of the pickle in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture and add to basket.
  • Keep working quickly to fill the basket, insert the basket into the Air Fryer and fry for 8-10 minutes.
  • About 3 minutes before they’re done, lightly spray the pickles with spray oil so that the breadcrumbs can crisp up and become golden brown.
  • Repeat by breading the rest of the pickles and continuing to fry in batches until finished.
**EASY AIR FRYER RECIPE EBOOK**Get the easy Air Fryer Recipe Binder which includes 40 quick and easy recipes all under 30 minutes cook time.
** INSTANT POT DUMP AND DASH RECIPE EBOOK**Get the Instant Pot Dump And Dash Recipes Ebook with easy recipes for busy lives.

Notes

  • You may need to do this in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your Air Fryer.
  • You can use pre-sliced pickles or slice the pickles yourself.
  • You can slice your pickles into wedges rather than round versions if you want or buy either pre-cut version. 
  • You may want to split your seasoned breadcrumb mixture into 2 bowls as your 1 bowl of seasonings may start to clump together and get soggy from all the dredging of buttermilk coated pickles. 
  • Serve warm or they’ll get soggy if you wait to enjoy them.
  • Use shallow bowls to dredge the pickle chips in. 
  • Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food for doneness.
  • Storage – keep leftovers in the fridge for 2 days.
  • There are 8 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of these.

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 1580mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 456IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 3mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. The assignment submission period was over and I was nervous, majorsite and I am very happy to see your post just in time and it was a great help. Thank you ! Leave your blog address below. Please visit me anytime.

  2. 5 stars
    Your writing is perfect and complete. baccaratsite However, I think it will be more wonderful if your post includes additional topics that I am thinking of. I have a lot of posts on my site similar to your topic. Would you like to visit once?

  3. 5 stars
    I love these! They are perfect for snacking and definitely so much less guilt because they’re not fried in oil! Yummy recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this as an appetizer for a small get together and everyone loved it! They even asked for the recipe. Thank you!