This (easy) homemade fried pickles recipe is extra crispy and insanely delicious! Add a little cornmeal and spice to the batter, and you’ve got Southern Fried Pickles.
This post is all about how to make the best Southern Fried Pickles.
These crispy dill chips are the best fried pickles because of their unique coating and batter. They’re dipped once in a zesty egg and buttermilk mixture and secondly in panko and cornmeal. Quickly fry these pickle chips to perfection, and you’ll be serving the best Southern Fried Pickles anyone has ever tasted.
The secret to this recipe comes down to the spices and creamy coating that’s turned into a batter once dredged in panko and cornmeal. You’ll appreciate this recipe’s subtle spice if you’ve ever tasted a Texas Roadhouse fried pickle. Oh, and the homemade buttermilk ranch dip is a must! The creamy contrast of this sauce complements these tangy gems in a fantastic way.
Whether you’re making this fried pickles recipe as a snack, appetizer, or side for a meal, you can’t go wrong because they’re incredibly addicting! While this recipe is easy to prepare, there are some specific tips and tricks to follow to ensure each pickle is fried to perfection.
Crispy Southern Fried Pickles Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 16-ounce jar of Dill hamburger pickles, drained. You can find these in the condiment section at the grocery store.
- Peanut oil, 2 to 2.5 cups. This oil is popular for frying food because it has a high smoke point and a neutral taste compared to vegetable oil. Although, you can use vegetable oil if you prefer.
- Crack sea salt and ground pepper to taste on the fried pickles.
Egg Coating Ingredients:
- 2 Eggs
- Buttermilk or Heavy Whipping Cream, 2 tablespoons.
Flour Coating Ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour, 1 cup.
- Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.
- Ground Black Pepper, 1/4 teaspoon.
- Cayenne Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon. Increase this to 1 teaspoon if you like spice.
Panko/Cornmeal Coating Ingredients:
- Panko Bread Crumbs, 3/4 cup.
- Cornmeal, 1/4 cup.
- Salt, 1/2 teaspoon.
Easy Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce Ingredients:
You could buy store-bought buttermilk ranch dip if you’re running low on time, but the homemade stuff is always better!
- Mayonnaise, 1/2 cup.
- Sour Cream, 1/2 cup.
- Buttermilk, 1/2 cup.
- Ranch Dressing Powder, 2.5 tablespoons.
- Worcestershire Sauce, 1/8 teaspoon.
- Lemon Juice, 1/4 teaspoon.
- Ground Black Pepper, 1/4 teaspoon.
Equipment Needed To Make Easy Southern Fried Pickles Recipe:
- Three Mixing Bowls – one bowl for the egg coating, one for the flour coating, and one for the panko/cornmeal coating.
- Parchment Paper – After coating each pickle, you can place them onto parchment paper before placing them in the frying pan. The parchment paper is a safe holding area that won’t absorb the egg and panko/cornmeal batter coating.
- Deep Fry Thermometer or candy thermometer – This thermometer is highly recommended. Getting the oil to the right temperature is everything when frying food. The temperature must be 375 degrees F when deep-frying pickles. If the oil temperature is too low, the oil will seep into the pickles and taste greasy. If the temperature is too high, the pickles will become dried out.
- Strainer Slotted Spoon for draining and frying.
- Cooling Rack – Place the fried pickles on a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain the oil.
How To Make This Simple Southern Fried Dill Pickles Recipe, Step-By-Step
Step 1: Drain the jar of pickles and lay the pickles out on paper towels. Pat them dry.
Step 2: Prepare three bowls. One bowl with the egg-coating ingredients mixed. The second bowl with the flour-coating ingredients mixed. And lastly, the third bowl with the panko/cornmeal coating ingredients mixed.
Step 3: Next, prepare the buttermilk ranch dip by adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing thoroughly. Set this bowl in the refrigerator until the fried pickles are ready to serve.
Step 4: Using a spoon, dredge each pickle chip in the flour coating and then dip each one into the egg mixture. Lastly, using another spoon, cover the pickles in the panko/cornmeal coating. Place the breaded pickles on parchment paper while waiting for the oil to heat up.
Step 5: Add about 2 to 2.5 cups of peanut oil to the deep frying pan. The oil should be about 1-inch high in the pan. Heat the oil at medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees F. Check this temperature using a thermometer. This will take 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 6: Have the cooling racks ready and lined with paper towels.
Step 7: Carefully submerge the breaded pickles into the hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes or until they look golden and crispy. Space them out in the frying pan while they’re cooking.
Step 8: Use the strainer spoon to transfer the fried pickles to the paper towel-lined cooling rack to drain.
(Repeat the above steps until all pickles have been fried and transferred to the cooling rack.)
Step 9: Crack sea salt and ground black pepper on the fried pickles to taste.
Step 10: Serve them immediately with the homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
FAQs For The Best Southern Fried Pickles Recipe
How Do I Make Fried Pickles Crisp?
You can ensure crispy fried dill pickles by using a candy thermometer to make sure the oil heats to 375 degrees F. If the temperature is too low, the pickles will become soggy with oil, and if the temp is too high, the pickles will dry out.
What State Is Known For Fried Pickles?
Arkansas! Fried dill pickles became famous after Bernell Austin opened a restaurant in Atkins, Arkansas, in 1960.
How Does Zaxby’s Make Their Fried Pickles?
Zaxby’s, a famous “Southern Living” fast-food chain restaurant, is well known for their fried pickles made with a unique cornmeal batter and served with their signature buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
Why Are Fried Pickles So Good?
Fried pickles are so good because they’re crispy, slightly tangy, salty, and dipped in buttermilk goodness. The combo is irresistible and insanely delicious!
Are Fried Pickles Good For You?
Deep-fried food, including dill pickles, is NOT suitable for our health, but I believe in exercise and food moderation. However, you must do what is best for your particular health situation and diet.
How Do You Make Air Fryer Fried Pickles?
You can follow this recipe, but instead of deep-frying the pickles, you can heat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Use cooking spray and place the pickles in your air fryer in a single layer. Cook them for 10-15 minutes.
Why Are Texas Roadhouse Fried Pickles So Good?
Some say it’s the cajun seasoning they use to flavor the pickles.
What Ingredients Are Typically In Fried Pickle Batter?
Fried pickle batter usually includes spices and flour. Sometimes buttermilk, panko, bread crumbs, or cornmeal are also used.
What Makes This Fried Pickles Recipe So Simple And Easy?
Following the step-by-step instructions makes this recipe so simple.
Why Are My Fried Pickles Soggy?
If your fried pickles turned out soggy, you should buy a deep-frying thermometer or candy thermometer and check the temperature of the oil before frying the pickles. The temp should be 375 degrees F.
How Do I Make Deep Fried Pickles?
Follow this recipe’s ingredients along with the step-by-step instructions.
Where Can I Buy Fried Pickles Near Me?
You might be surprised to hear that many fast-food chains sell fried pickles. Sonic recently introduced their new dill pickle fries. Hooters is also well known for its fried pickles recipe.
How Many Calories Are In Fried Pickles?
While this will vary for every recipe and size/amount of fried pickles, a serving of Texas Roadhouse fried pickles is 550 calories and 38 grams of fat.
What Are Popular Fried Pickles Dipping Sauces?
Buttermilk ranch, ketchup, and cajun-infused dipping sauces are most famous for fried pickles.
Can Fried Pickles Be Frozen?
Yes, they can! Be sure to store them in an airtight container in the freezer.
How Do I Store Southern Fried Pickles?
Place a paper towel under and on top of the fried pickles in an airtight container. The paper towels will keep the pickles crispy by absorbing moisture.
How Do You Fry Pickles In The Oven?
Frying the pickles in the oven is similar to the air fryer version. Follow my recipe but heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Use cooking spray and place the breaded pickles down on a baking sheet. Bake them for 10 to 15 minutes.
Variation Fried Pickles Recipes
- Cornmeal Fried Pickles Recipe
- Cornstarch Fried Pickles
- Southern Fried Pickles Recipe
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles
- Fried Pickles Spears
- Deep-Fried Dill Pickle Chips
- Keto Fried Pickles
Crispy Southern Fried Pickles Recipe
Equipment
- Paper Towels
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Three Mixing Bowls
- Parchment paper
- Deep Frying Pan
- Deep Fry Thermometer or Candy Thermometer
- Strainer Slotted Spoon
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Egg Coating Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tbsp Buttermilk or heavy whipping cream
Flour Coating Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper – Increase this to 1 teaspoon if you like more spice.
Panko/Cornmeal Coating Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1/4 cup Cornmeal
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Buttermilk Ranch Dipping Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk
- 2.5 tbsp Ranch Dressing Powder
- 1/8 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
How To Make Southern Fried Pickles, Step-By-Step
- Drain the jar of pickles and lay the pickles out on paper towels. Pat them dry.
- Prepare three bowls. One bowl with the egg-coating ingredients mixed. The second bowl with the flour-coating ingredients mixed. And lastly, the third bowl with the panko/cornmeal coating ingredients mixed.
- Next, prepare the buttermilk ranch dip by adding all ingredients to a bowl and mixing thoroughly. Set this bowl in the refrigerator until the fried pickles are ready to serve.
- Use a spoon and dredge each pickle chip in the flour coating and then dip each one into the egg mixture. Lastly, cover the pickles in the panko/cornmeal coating using a spoon. Place the breaded pickles on parchment paper while waiting for the oil to heat up.
- Add about 2 to 2.5 cups of peanut oil to the deep frying pan. The oil should be about 1-inch high in the pan. Heat the oil at medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees F. Check this temperature using a thermometer. This will take 10 to 15 minutes.
- Have the cooling racks ready and lined with paper towels.
- Carefully submerge the breaded pickles into the hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes or until they look golden and crispy. Space them out in the frying pan while they’re cooking.
- Use the strainer spoon to transfer the fried pickles to the paper towel-lined cooling rack to drain.
- Repeat the above steps until all pickles have been fried and transferred to the cooling rack.
- Crack sea salt and ground black pepper on the fried pickles to taste.
- Serve them immediately with the homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On This Fried Pickles Recipe
This Southern Fried Pickles recipe is incredibly delicious, and I hope you make it the next time you entertain guests. I can promise you these crispy pickle chips will be a hit at any party or small gathering! If you LOVE the recipe as much as I do, please share it with your friends and family on social media.
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