Air Fryer Fried Pickles with Spicy Dill Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy and tangy Air Fryer Fried Pickles offer a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried snack. Coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and air fried to golden perfection, these pickles come with a creamy, flavorful dipping sauce made with sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs. Perfect as an appetizer or a savory snack, they are quick to prepare and delightfully crunchy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Pickles and Coating
- 1 cup sliced pickles
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Tabasco recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup minced onions (the finer the better)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)
Instructions
- Dry the Pickles: Lay down a couple of sheets of paper towels. Arrange the pickle slices on the paper towels and cover them with more paper towels. Let them dry for a few minutes to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispier coating.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Set Up the Breadcrumbs: In another shallow dish, pour the panko breadcrumbs to coat the pickles after dipping in the egg wash.
- Coat the Pickles: Working one pickle slice at a time, dip it into the egg wash until fully coated, then press it into the panko breadcrumbs to cover it completely. Transfer coated pickles to a baking sheet.
- Air Fry the Pickles: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the coated pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Lightly spray the pickles with oil. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, then flip each pickle and spray again with oil. Continue air frying for another 5-7 minutes until the pickles are golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, minced onions, minced garlic, and dried dill if using. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Serve: Enjoy the hot, crispy fried pickles immediately with the creamy dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the pickles dry well before coating to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the level of hot sauce in the egg wash for more or less heat according to your taste.
- You can substitute plain breadcrumbs if panko is unavailable, but panko gives a lighter and crispier texture.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the pickles in the oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
