Air Fryer Pickles

These Crispy Air-Fried Pickles Are Made for Sharing

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/9/21
Air Fryer Pickles

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 22 mins
Total: 37 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 36 pickles
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
123 Calories
2g Fat
20g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 123
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 47mg 16%
Sodium 618mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 54mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 91mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Crispy-fried dill pickles are super easy to prepare and cook in the air fryer. Fried dill pickles are air-fried to perfection in just 10 to 11 minutes. The classic Cajun-seasoned breading can be as mild or as spicy as you like, and a little pickle juice in the beaten eggs adds just enough tartness. These tasty little pickles will have everyone coming back for more.

Fried dill pickle slices or spears have long been a favorite in the Southern states. They're everything you could want in an appetizer—they're spicy, sour, dippable, and crispy. Fried pickles make a great side dish as well. Serve them as a side dish along with grilled or fried fish, barbecue, fried shrimp, or burgers. They're wonderful dipped in ranch dressing or a flavored mayonnaise or aioli.

Ingredients

  • 30 to 36 slices dill pickle

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons cajun seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 dash cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • 3 large eggs, beaten

  • 2 tablespoons pickle juice

  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or aioli, for dipping)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients for air fryer fried pickles

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. Place pickles on paper towels and blot with more paper towels to remove excess moisture.

    dry the pickles on paper towels

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Arrange three bowls or containers for breading. In first container, combine flour with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, if using, and cayenne pepper. Combine beaten eggs and pickle juice in second container, and add breadcrumbs to third container.

    3-container breading station for fried pickles

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Dip a pickle slice in seasoned flour. Shake off excess flour, then coat with egg mixture. Let excess egg drip off, then coat pickle in panko crumbs. Repeat until all of the pickles are breaded.

    breading the dill pickles with flour, egg, and crumbs

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Arrange pickles on a rimmed baking sheet or on plates. Preheat air fryer to 400 F for 5 minutes.

    breaded dill pickles on a baking sheet

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. Spray basket with cooking oil spray, then arrange pickles in it, leaving a bit of space between each pickle.

    air fryer basket with breaded dill pickles

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  7. Cook pickles at 400 F for 6 minutes. Spray lightly with cooking oil spray, then turn them over. Bake for 5 more minutes or until golden brown.

    air fryer fried pickles, in an air frier

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  8. Remove to a plate or basket and serve with Ranch dressing or your favorite dip. 

    Air Fryer Pickles with a side of sauce

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

How to Store Air Fryer Fried Pickles

  • Refrigerate leftover fried pickles in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • For longer storage, transfer the fried pickles to a zip-close freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. 
  • Reheat leftover fried pickles in the air fryer for about 2 to 3 minutes at 375 F.

Dip Ideas

Serve fried pickles with a commercial dip, aioli, or dressing, or try one of these ideas:

  • Spicy Sriracha mayonnaise.
  • Homemade ranch dressing.
  • Cajun Ranch: Combine 1/2 cup of ranch dressing with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and a dash of hot sauce.
  • Spicy Cajun Mayo: Combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with a tablespoon of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of pickle juice or lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, a dash of hot sauce, and salt, to taste.


Can I Use Frozen Breaded Pickles In the Air Fryer?

You can air fry prepared, breaded, frozen pickles. If you are making them in advance and freezing the pickles, bread them as instructed and arrange them on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer; when the breaded pickles are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When air frying from frozen, cook for about 7 minutes, and then flip and fry for about 5 to 6 minutes longer, or until crisp and browned.

How Can I Make the Pickles Gluten-Free?

You can make the fried pickles with store-bought or homemade gluten-free crumbs or use a combination of 1 cup of almond flour and 1 cup of nutritional yeast. Dip them in the egg and then in the gluten-free crumb mixture. Air fry the pickles as directed.