Fried Pickles
By Lauren Miyashiro
Approved by the Delish Test Kitchen

Yields:
12
Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Pickle lovers—have we got a snack for you. Crispy on the outside yet juicy in the middle, fried pickles hold a special place in our hearts, and are always a staple party starter at our game day spread. If you're a fried pickle fanatic, you know the disappointment of having a soggy, less-than-crisp pickle. No need to worry here—this recipe includes our top tips and tricks for the crispiest, most flavorful fried pickle out there. Step aside french fries—there's a new side in town.
How do I bread the pickles?
This recipe uses a typical three-step breading process, which involves dredging the pickles in flour before dipping them into beaten eggs and rolling them in panko breadcrumbs. Here we’re bringing in some extra flavor by seasoning the flour with garlic powder and salt.
How do I make sure they’re crisp?
Pickles are stored in brine, so they’re inherently pretty wet– which isn’t exactly ideal for frying. To get the crispiest results possible, drain the pickles and pat them completely dry before breading and frying them.
Can I fry pickle chips instead?
Absolutely! Just make sure to drain and pat them as dry as possible (see above) before breading. Also, be aware that since they’re thinner and smaller, pickle chips will fry much quicker than pickle spears.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Like any fried food, these pickles are tastiest right after they’ve been fried. If you happen to have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat them in a 350 degree oven (preferably on a wire rack set over a baking sheet). We don’t recommend microwaving them, as the breading will go completely soggy.
Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below.
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Ingredients
- 12
large pickle spears, drained and patted dry
- 1 cup
all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp.
garlic powder
- 1 tsp.
kosher salt
- 2
large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups
panko
Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/4 cup
Ranch dressing, for serving
- 1 Tbsp.
Hot sauce, for serving
Directions
- Step 1Prepare the pickles: Slice pickle spears lengthwise into thirds or quarters, depending on how thick they are, to create thin spears.
- Step 2Set up the dredging station: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Put the eggs in a separate medium bowl and the panko in a third bowl. Working a few spears at a time, dredge the pickle spears in the flour mixture, toss the spears in the eggs, then dredge in panko.
- Step 3Make the spicy ranch: Mix together ranch and hot sauce, adding more hot sauce if desired. Set aside until ready to serve.
- Step 4Fry the pickles: Pour about 1 1/2-in vegetable oil into a large, deep skillet. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches about 350 degrees F, or until the oil is shimmering. (If a splash of water sizzles when you flick it into the pan, it’s ready.) Working in batches, add 3-4 pickle spears to the hot oil using tongs. Do not crowd the pan, or the oil will cool! Cook until the spears are golden brown on one side, about 1 minute, then flip and cook until the second side is golden, about a minute more. Place the fried pickles on a cooling rack lined with paper towels. Serve hot with spicy ranch.
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