Crispy battered pickles—the ultimate comfort food. The briny tang of the pickle, encased in a golden, crunchy shell, is a taste sensation that takes me right back to summer county fairs and roadside diners. These aren’t just fried pickles; these are *crispy battered pickles*, a perfect blend of salty, sour, and savory that will have you reaching for more. Get ready for a seriously addictive snack that’s surprisingly easy to make!
Preparation process
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This crispy battered pickles Recipe
This crispy battered pickles recipe is more than just a snack; it’s an experience. There’s something undeniably comforting about biting into a warm, crispy pickle. They’re incredibly easy to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort.
Remember those summer days spent at the county fair? The smell of fried food filled the air, and the highlight was always those juicy, unforgettable deep fried pickles dipped in creamy ranch. This recipe brings that magic home, and it will quickly become a family favorite. Looking for another recipe that brings that county fair goodness to your kitchen? Take a look at this Crispy Zucchini Fritters recipe.
Ingredients Needed for This crispy battered pickles Recipe
- For the Pickles:
* 1 (24 ounce) jar dill pickle spears, drained and patted dry
* 1 cup all purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon paprika
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 cup buttermilk
* Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Dipping Sauce (Optional):
* 1/2 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon dried dill
* Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make This crispy battered pickles Recipe
- Prepare the pickles: Drain the pickle spears thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. This is crucial for ensuring the batter adheres properly and gets nice and crispy.
- Make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Dip the pickles: Pour the buttermilk into another bowl. Dip each pickle spear into the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off. Then, dredge the pickle into the flour mixture, making sure it gets fully coated.
- Heat the oil: In a deep fryer or large, heavy bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature for best results with your deep fried pickles.
- Fry the pickles: Carefully add the battered pickles to the hot oil in small batches, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer.
- Cook to perfection: Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the crispy battered pickles from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the dipping sauce (optional): While the pickles are frying, prepare the dipping sauce by combining the mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, and dried dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately: Serve your crispy battered pickles hot with the dipping sauce. Enjoy! You could even serve these next to a batch of Crispy Air Fryer Salmon 2.
How to Serve This crispy battered pickles Recipe
Serve these crispy battered pickles immediately while they are still hot and crispy. They are perfect as an appetizer or snack. The optional dipping sauce adds a cool and creamy element that complements the tangy pickles perfectly. Serve them with a side of fries or alongside other appetizers for a crowd pleasing spread.
How to Store This crispy battered pickles Recipe
These crispy battered pickles are best enjoyed fresh. Refrigerating them will cause the batter to soften.
- Refrigeration: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To reheat, use an air fryer or oven to try and crisp them up again, although they won’t be quite as good as fresh.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended as it will negatively impact the texture. They will become quite soggy.
Tips to Make This crispy battered pickles Recipe
- Dry the Pickles: Thoroughly drying the pickles before battering is crucial for achieving a crispy coating.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a consistent oil temperature of 350°F (175°C) for even cooking and optimal crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Fry the pickles in small batches to prevent the oil temperature from dropping too much, which can result in soggy pickles.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of your favorite hot sauce to the buttermilk or batter for an extra kick.
Helpful Notes for This crispy battered pickles Recipe
- Pickle Variety: While dill pickle spears are traditional, you can experiment with other types of pickles, such as bread and butter or spicy pickles.
- Gluten Free Option: Substitute the all purpose flour with a gluten free flour blend for a gluten free variation.
- Type of Oil: Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are all suitable for deep frying.
- Dipping Sauce Alternatives: If you’re not a fan of the homemade dipping sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or a spicy aioli are great alternatives. Try it with Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans also!
Variation of This crispy battered pickles Recipe
- Spicy Pickles: Add extra cayenne pepper to the batter or use spicy pickle spears.
- Air Fryer Pickles: While not quite deep fried, you can achieve a similar result in an air fryer. Spray the battered pickles with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The air fryer pickles won’t be *quite* as good as the crispy battered pickles made in the deep fryer, but are a good alternative.
- Cornmeal Batter: Add cornmeal to the batter for a slightly sweeter and crunchier coating.
What makes these pickles ‘crispy battered’ instead of just ‘fried’?
The secret lies in the batter and frying technique. Using a specific blend of flour, seasonings, and perhaps a touch of cornstarch, combined with the right oil temperature, ensures a light and crispy coating that perfectly complements the pickle’s tanginess.
What kind of pickles are best for making crispy battered pickles?
Dill pickles are the most popular choice due to their classic salty and sour flavor. You can use pickle spears, chips, or even whole pickles, depending on your preference. Just make sure they’re well-drained before battering them.
What is the best oil to use for frying crispy battered pickles?
Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are all excellent choices for frying. They have a high smoke point and a neutral flavor that won’t interfere with the taste of the pickles and batter. Make sure the oil is heated to the correct temperature for optimal crispiness.
How do I prevent the batter from falling off while frying?
Ensure your pickles are well-dried before coating. Also, dredge the pickles in flour before dipping in wet batter; this helps the batter adhere. Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature and prevent soggy pickles.
Conclusion
Ready to elevate your snacking game? These crispy battered pickles are an irresistible treat that’s perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime you crave a little something special. The combination of tangy pickle and crunchy batter is simply divine. Give this crispy battered pickles recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!
Crispy Battered Pickles: The ULTIMATE Easy Fry Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Tangy dill pickle spears coated in a crispy, seasoned batter and deep fried to golden perfection, served with a creamy dill dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 (24 ounce) jar dill pickle spears, drained and patted dry
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Dipping Sauce (Optional):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Drain pickle spears and pat dry.
- 2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne (optional), salt, and pepper.
- 3. Pour buttermilk into another bowl. Dip pickles in buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture.
- 4. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or pot.
- 5. Fry the pickles in small batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- 6. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 7. For the dipping sauce, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dill pickle relish, garlic powder, and dried dill. Season with salt and pepper.
- 8. Serve the crispy battered pickles hot with the dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: fried pickles, crispy pickles, appetizer, snack, deep fried pickles