Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

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Air Fryer Pickles are super crispy and make a great game day or party snack! Fried Pickles made in the Air Fryer are healthier because they are made with a lot less oil and have a crunchy panko breadcrumbs coating that makes them taste even better than the deep fried original.

We love our Air Fryer for making extra crispy snacks without the added calories from deep frying like ourAir Fryer Onion Rings,Air Fryer Chicken Wings, andAirFryer Chicken Drumsticks!

Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (1)Air Fryer Pickles

My husband and I love everything deep fried, especially fried pickles. They make a perfect snack and are so flavorful, salty, and crunchy! But I’m not a big fan of deep frying at home because of the mess and the added calories. The Air Fryer is the perfect tool to make crispy fried pickles in your own kitchen that have less than a 1/4 of the calories of the deep fried version and are as crunchy and flavorful as the real deal.

Dill Pickle spears are dredged in a spiced batter, coated with panko breadcrumbs and then air fried to crispy, golden perfection. Using a batter and panko breadcrumbs gives the pickles a deliciously crunchy crust that adds flavor and makes them taste very similar to pickles that are battered and deep fried.

Love deep fried pickles?Then you have to try this AirFryer version, you will love it even more!

Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (2)

Tips for Making Fried Pickles in the Air Fryer

  • Pat the pickle spears dry with paper towels so the batter and coating will stick better!
  • You can buy pickle spears or cut normal large dill pickles into spears
  • Instead of pickle spears, you can also use pickle slices
  • If youdon’t have buttermilk, you can easily make your ownby adding 1 Tbsp of vinegar or lemon/lime juice to a ½ cup of milk.
  • If you like it extra spicy add a few dashes of hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture
  • Usingpankobreadcrumbs makes these Fried Picklesextra crispybut you could also use normal breadcrumbs
  • Divide the panko breadcrumbs mixture in twoso you can switch to the fresh breadcrumbs when the first batch gets clumpy
  • Different models of Air Fryers cook food differently so always keep an eye on the food
  • If your Air Fryer doesn’t go as high as 400F, fry them at the highest temperature

Looking for more air fryer recipe ideas? Check out all myeasy air fryer recipes!

Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (3)

How to make Air Fryer “Deep” Fried Pickles

Follow the directions to dredge in flour, dip in batter, and roll the pickle spears in panko, then place them in the Air Fryer basket. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F until golden brown. For extra crispy, crunchy pickles, spray with cooking spray (or coconut oil) after half the cook time is over.

How many calories do fried pickles have?

A deep fried pickle is much higher in calories than an air fried pickle. A deep fried pickle spear contains about 170 calories, while an air fried pickle spear contains only about 40 calories.

What to serve with Fried Pickles?

Serve with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (4)

Tools and Ingredients used for making this Fried Pickle Recipe

Air Fryer:This is the model I own. I really like it and would recommend it for smaller families. It came with arackwhich doubles the space in the basket. Before buying this model I had the olderXL Air Fryerwhich was bigger but took a lot more space to store.
Air Fryer Oven:This oven is on my wishlist! I saw it at Costco and it has great reviews. It has a lot more functions then an Air Fryer!
Panko Breadcrumbs: This is my go-to brand for breadcrumbs! I usually buy them at Costco.

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Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (5)

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4.99 from 51 votes

Air Fryer Pickles

By: Julia Foerster

Air Fryer Pickles are super crispy and make a great game day or party snack!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 3-4 large dill pickles, cut into spears
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, see tips above for making your own
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Oil Spray, optional

Cups - Metric

Instructions

  • Dry the pickles with paper towels.

  • You need three shallow bowls or deep plates. In the first one combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt.

  • In the second combine buttermilk (or milk and vinegar/lemon juice) and egg, then add ¼ cup of the flour mixture from the first bowl.

  • In the third combine panko breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 tsp salt and olive oil with a fork until the oil is evenly distributed.

  • Dredge the pickle spears in the flour mixture, drop them in the buttermilk mixture and then dredge them in the panko mixture until coated evenly.

  • Place pickle spears in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket. Use a rack to make a second layer.

  • Cook at 400°F until golden brown and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Spray with some cooking spray after about 6 minutes for a more golden finish. Repeat with remaining pickles spears.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 1307mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 415IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 1.9mg

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Categorized as:
Air Fryer, Appetizer Recipes, Featured

About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

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Air Fryer Pickles Recipe {Healthier and so crunchy!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I put a pickle in an air fryer? ›

Air-Fried Pickles. These air-fried pickles are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Zesty, salty and perfectly seasoned, they make a great snack for fish fries, burger nights and game-day parties. Fried pickles are one of my all-time favorite appetizers.

How unhealthy is fried pickles? ›

While pickles are a high-sodium food item, the deep-fried pickle is significantly higher. One deep-fried pickle spear contains 1,220 milligrams of sodium, versus 210 milligrams in a regular spear. One deep-fried pickle gives you more than half of the daily recommended intake, which is 2,300 milligrams a day.

How do you keep fried pickles from getting soggy? ›

Along with using a paper towel to soak up some of the pickles' juices before frying, incorporating cornstarch into the breading mix helps reduce wetness and ensures a crisp fry.

Do fried pickles taste good? ›

When I tried them this way, it was kind of just like eating deep fried batter (tasty, but not what we're aiming for!). Slices that were just shy of ¼″ thick provided the perfect amount of pickle. This way you can actually taste the pickle and experience that satisfying pickle crunch in every bite.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What makes a pickle crispy? ›

Use Calcium Chloride

Sea salt is sodium chloride. In this case, we're talking about calcium chloride! These little granules, which dilute quickly in water, are THE trick to crunchy pickles, as they prevent the enzymes from softening the pickle during lacto-fermentation.

What is the healthiest pickles to eat? ›

“The pickles that are beneficial for your gut health are the fermented ones, made by brining them in salt rather than vinegar,” says Dr. Oppezzo. “While vinegar pickling is a common method, true fermentation in brine enriches them with beneficial probiotics for your gut.

Is it okay to eat a pickle every day? ›

If you're on a low-sodium diet, pickles should not be consumed on a regular basis, says Zumpano. People with high blood pressure, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease should only enjoy pickles as a once-in-a-while treat, says Largeman-Roth. Always talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Is pickles good or bad for weight loss? ›

Aside from being rich in nutrients, pickles are also very low in calories. The spices in pickles also help in breaking down the body's fats. Fermented food also contains fibre that allows a person to feel full longer- again aiding in weight loss.

How to make super crisp pickles? ›

Soak Cucumbers In Ice Water Beforehand

If you're not canning your cucumbers immediately, leave them in an ice bath or in your refrigerator overnight to maintain firmness. Doing this before you start canning them will give you the crunchiest pickles you've ever had!

What makes pickles not crunchy? ›

If the pickles are soft, they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation. Don't use them. Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles, as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature.

How do you make fried pickles crispy again? ›

Reheat leftover deep-fried dill pickles in an air fryer or place them under the broiler until they get crispy again.

Why do I crave fried pickles? ›

If you're not getting enough salt in your diet, or if you've depleted your sodium levels, you might experience intense cravings for pickles and other high-sodium foods. But don't go overboard: on average, 1 dill pickle contains about 15% of your recommended daily sodium intake!

What is fried pickle batter made of? ›

Whisk together the beer, 1 1/2 cups flour, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and seasoned salt in a large bowl. Dip the pickle slices into the beer batter, then coat them in the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour. Fry the pickles in the preheated oil until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes.

Can dogs eat fried pickles? ›

While pickles aren't necessarily harmful, they are extremely high in sodium, and lots of salt isn't healthy for dogs. Pickles also contain ingredients that could be potentially harmful. “Although pickles contain vitamins and minerals beneficial to us, the negative aspects far outweigh the benefits for a dog,” says Dr.

Can you heat up fried pickles in air fryer? ›

To reheat air-fried pickles, preheat your air fryer for a few minutes, then reheat the pickles for 2-3 minutes or until they reach your preferred level of warmth and crispiness.

Why can't you put liquid in an air fryer? ›

No, you cannot. Sauces are loose liquids and as mentioned above, the pressure from the air fryer can cause them to spray everywhere in your basket. This can damage your appliance. If you want to cook with sauce, it's safer to use your oven or stovetop instead.

Can you throw aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Can you put anything in an air fryer? ›

You can make practically anything that you would fry in an air fryer. It's great at heating frozen foods, but it's also fantastic for from-scratch foods, like chicken wings, potato chips, donuts, and extra-crisp cookies.

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