Name: Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup sliced pickles (dill or bread-and-butter); 2 large eggs; 3 tbsp flour; 1 tbsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco); ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; ¼ cup sour cream; ¼ cup mayonnaise; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; ¼ cup minced onions; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp dried dill (optional)

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These Air Fryer Fried Pickles bring all the crispy, tangy, and savory flavors of a classic bar snack right into my kitchen—without the grease and guilt. Using an air fryer, I get the same satisfying crunch without deep-frying, and I love pairing them with a homemade sour cream and onion dip. Whether I’m hosting friends or just craving something salty and satisfying, these pickles are always a hit.
Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like this recipe because it delivers pub-quality fried pickles with way less oil. The air fryer makes them perfectly golden and crunchy on the outside while keeping that juicy pickle bite inside. I also appreciate how quick it comes together—just 25 minutes total. And with the dip? It’s a total flavor bomb. I get to control the spice level, use my favorite type of pickle, and enjoy a mess-free experience. It’s perfect when I want a fun snack that doesn’t feel too heavy.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

for the pickles
1 cup sliced pickles
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon hot sauce (I’m using Tabasco)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs

for the dip
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup minced onions (the finer the better)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)

Directions

I start by drying the pickles between paper towels. This is really important—if they’re too wet, the egg wash won’t stick.
I whisk the eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish to create the egg wash.
In a second dish, I pour in the panko breadcrumbs.
One by one, I dip the dry pickle slices into the egg wash, shake off any excess, coat them with breadcrumbs, and set them aside on a baking sheet.
I preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once it’s ready, I lay the pickles in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they don’t touch. I spray them lightly with oil.
I air-fry them for 5–7 minutes, flip, spray again, and air-fry for another 5–7 minutes until they’re golden and crispy.
For the dip, I mix sour cream, mayo, onions, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. That’s it—it’s ready to serve.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes enough for 6 people. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook, for a total of 25 minutes. It’s perfect for a party appetizer or a snack to share.

Variations

I sometimes swap dill pickles for bread-and-butter pickles when I want a sweeter twist.
If I’m in the mood for heat, I add more hot sauce to the egg wash or even a pinch of cayenne to the breadcrumbs.
I’ve tried using crushed cornflakes instead of panko—they’re super crispy and give a different texture.
For a gluten-free version, I use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Storage/Reheating

If I have leftovers, I store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I use the air fryer again at 350°F for about 4–5 minutes. This keeps them crisp—microwaving tends to make them soggy, so I avoid that.

FAQs

What kind of pickles work best for this recipe?

I use dill pickle slices because I love the tangy flavor, but honestly, any type of pickle works. Spears, coins, bread-and-butter—whatever I’m craving.

Can I make these ahead of time?

I don’t recommend fully cooking them ahead, but I do prep them in advance. I dry, coat, and refrigerate them on a baking sheet. Then I just pop them in the air fryer when it’s snack time.

Can I freeze air fryer fried pickles?

Yes, I’ve frozen them after breading (before cooking). I place them on a tray in the freezer, then transfer to a bag once they’re solid. They cook straight from frozen in about 15 minutes at 400°F.

What can I use instead of panko breadcrumbs?

I sometimes use regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Panko gives the crispiest result, but the others work just fine.

What’s the best dipping sauce?

I always make the sour cream and onion dip from the recipe, but ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or spicy mayo are great options too, depending on what I’m in the mood for.

Conclusion

These air fryer fried pickles satisfy all my crunchy, salty snack cravings without the hassle of deep-frying. I get the same amazing flavor and texture with way less oil. Whether I’m hosting guests or treating myself to a late-night snack, this recipe never disappoints. I love how easy it is to customize with different pickles or dipping sauces, and the air fryer makes clean-up a breeze. This one’s definitely staying in my rotation.