If you’re looking for a salty, zesty, and oh-so-delicious appetizer for your next party, don’t sleep on these air fryer fried pickles. They’re healthier than traditional fried pickles, as they use only a touch of oil. Better yet, these air fryer pickle chips take just minutes to make!

This dish is a comfort food Southern staple, and you’ll often find fried pickles at pop-up vendor stalls and county fairs. This dippable recipe first had its heyday back in the early 1960s, but this modern version caters to 21^st-century foodies by reducing the calories and grease factor. Don’t worry though, they still pack a punch on the flavor front!

Combine them with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, and they’ll impress even the fussiest guests.

This is one of those recipes that you’ll want to pin for later as you’ll be pulling it out for parties, family reunions, and everything in between.

Why This Recipe Works

• Using spray oil keeps these air fryer fried pickles crispy and non-greasy, giving them the perfect crunch.
  
• It uses plenty of classic pantry ingredients, making it a cheap and easy recipe.
  
• The air fryer reduces frying time and majorly cuts down on calories.
  
• Using a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs and Cajun seasoning gives these pickle chips an exciting kick and crunchy crust that’s identical to the deep-fried batter.

Ingredients

Here is a list of ingredients that you need to make this recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

For the air fryer fried pickles

• Dill pickle slices. Dill pickles have a natural tang that pairs perfectly with the Cajun seasoning and crispy Panko breadcrumbs.
• Flour. All-purpose flour helps the egg wash stick better to the pickle’s surface.
• Cajun seasoning. The Cajun seasoning gives your pickle chips a delicious, Southern flavor profile.
• Eggs. The eggs provide a sticky base for the breadcrumbs and seasoning to cling to.
• Pickle juice. A drop of pickle juice in the egg wash gives it just the right amount of tartness.
• Panko breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are naturally crunchier than regular breadcrumbs.
• Oil spray. The air fryer needs just a spritz of oil to work well, and spray keeps the calories way down.

For the dipping sauce

• Mayonnaise. Acts as a tasty base.
• Ketchup. Adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
• Horseradish sauce. Perfect for giving the sauce a great kick and more depth.
• Tabasco or Sriracha. Gives the sauce a tangy kick.
• Worcestershire sauce. Balances all the above flavors.

How To Make It

This recipe for air fryer pickle chips is so delicious, yet very simple to throw together. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the step-by-step instructions for this recipe.

1. Preheat the air fryer.
   
2. Grab three bowls for the dredging process and place the relevant ingredients in each bowl.
   
3. Coat the pickles in the flour mixture.
   
4. Dip them in the egg wash.
   
5. Transfer to the final bowl to coat the pickles in the breadcrumb mixture.
   
6. Lightly spray the pickle chips with oil and place them in the air fryer to cook.
   
7. Flip the pickle chips over and continue cooking until done.

Tips For Success

• Don’t skip the spray oil. Spraying your pickle chips with a small amount of spray oil before cooking in the air fryer gives them a gorgeous golden-brown color.
  
• Panko breadcrumbs are the way to go. It can be tempting to use cheaper breadcrumbs in this recipe, but Panko breadcrumbs are crispier than normal ones. They’ll give your air fryer fried pickles the ultimate crunch.
  
• Have a couple of bowls ready for your breadcrumbs. When met with egg wash, breadcrumbs have a habit of going slightly clumpy. To avoid this, separate your breadcrumbs into two portions and switch them out when the first batch starts to stick together.
  
• Pat the pickles dry with paper towels before coating them. This will help the coating stick nicely and make the finished product far crispier.
  
• If you don’t have pickle slices, whole pickles or pickle spears work fine. Just cut them into slices to avoid uneven frying.
  
• Don’t be afraid to dial up the heat. I’ve recommended an amount of hot sauce for this recipe, but those who want tickly tongues can take things up a notch by adding as much spice as they like!
  
• Keep an eye on your air fryer. Every air fryer works differently, so keep a close eye on your pickles to ensure they don’t overcook.
  
• Give your pickles space to breathe. Spreading your pickles out evenly in the air fryer helps them crisp up properly.

FAQ

 🛠 Tools and Equipment

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• My favorite air fryer is this Ninja Foodi XL dual air fryer. You can cook pickle chips on one side and your main dish on the other side. This Ninja Air Fryer Max XL is also a great option for large meals.
  
• Get yourself these air fryer parchment paper sheets. They make cleanup a breeze and have holes to ensure the food still gets crispy on the bottom. Use this parchment paper if you have a round air fryer.

What Else Is Cooking?

• I could eat breakfast all day and these homemade air fryer breakfast pockets are super delicious! Make them ahead of time and place them in the freezer or fridge for a quick breakfast on the go.
  
• This air fryer tilapia is one of my go-to air fryer recipes when I need to put together a quick meal. Pair the tilapia with these air fryer green beans with bacon.
  
• Is it time for dessert? Always! These air fryer deep dish chocolate chip cookie bowls are perfect for those late-night cravings! The cookie bowl is gooey and filled with melted chocolate. Top it off with a scoop of ice cream and dig in!

Wrap Up

Whether you’re looking for the ultimate healthy snack for your next bash or just need something to keep your chip cravings at bay, these air fryer fried pickles will totally hit the spot. Trust me when I say that you’ll be whipping these bad boys up every weekend from here on out!

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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