Fried Pickles

If you haven’t yet discovered the crispy, crave-worthy joy of fried pickles, now’s the time to dive in. With their golden crunch and tangy bite, these Southern favorites have earned their place at the snack table. I still remember my first taste—on a sweltering summer day at a roadside stop in Tennessee. That crisp, salty tang alongside a creamy dipping sauce? Instant obsession.

Since then, fried pickles have become my go-to snack for everything from casual get-togethers to late-night cravings. Whether deep-fried for that irresistible crunch or air-fried for a lighter take, this recipe guarantees a flavor-packed bite every time.

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🧂 Ingredients (Table Format)

For Frying

Ingredient	Quantity
Vegetable oil	For frying
All-purpose flour	1 cup
Salt	½ teaspoon
Ground black pepper	1 teaspoon
Paprika	¼ teaspoon
Cayenne pepper	¼ teaspoon
Garlic powder	¼ teaspoon
Buttermilk	½ cup
Egg (large)	1
Kosher dill pickles	3, sliced < ¼” thick, patted dry

Optional Dipping Sauce (or use Ranch)

Ingredient	Quantity
Ranch dressing	2 tablespoons
BBQ sauce	1 tablespoon
Ketchup	1 teaspoon
Mayonnaise	1 teaspoon
Tabasco sauce	Dash
Ground black pepper	Dash

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🔪 Instructions

Step 1: Heat the Oil
Fill a deep, heavy pan or Dutch oven with 2–3 inches of vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer (making sure it doesn’t touch the pan’s bottom) and bring the oil to 375°F (190°C), which should take around 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Coating Stations
In one bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder.
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together until smooth.

Step 3: Coat the Pickles
In small batches (3–4 slices at a time):

• Dredge each pickle slice in the seasoned flour.
• Dip into the buttermilk-egg mixture.
• Coat once more in the flour mixture for an extra-crispy shell.

Step 4: Fry Until Golden
Carefully place the coated pickles into the hot oil. Fry each side for about 90 seconds or until they’re golden and crisp.
Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Allow the oil to return to 375°F before starting the next batch.

Step 5: Whip Up the Dipping Sauce (Optional)
In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until creamy and well blended. Serve alongside your hot, crispy pickles.