4.50 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Air Fryer Fried Pickles are a crispy and crunchy game day snack. Make this easy appetizer in the air fryer in minutes. They are perfectly seasoned, tangy party food and so much better than deep fried.

A plate of fried pickles with ranch dressing.


I’m not a big fan of deep frying. Too much grease and I don’t like the smell it leaves behind. Air frying, on the other fan? HUGE fan. LOVE LOVE LOVE my Ninja Foodi.

These breaded pickles use pickle spears making them great for dipping like french fries. I much prefer the air fryer version and to be honest, can’t even tell the difference. The breading still has an extra crispy texture and the inside is the perfect bite of dill pickles.

This a great recipe for first time air frying cooks. It’s simple to make and ready in about 30 minutes. If you need a delicious appetizer that’s a healthier choice than deep frying, this is your recipe.

Meal planning binder image.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe

  • You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce
  • Perfect to serve at parties including a Super Bowl gathering
  • Use different varieties of seasonings and pickles to change up the flavor
  • Ready to enjoy in 30 minutes
  • Perfect snack for pickle lovers to satisfy cravings
  • Great option for a late night snack
  • Easy recipe for beginners to try with a new air fryer
  • Can make low carb with a few small modifications

Ingredients

  • Dill pickle spears – I like to buy the refrigerated pickles spears that are already cut because they are nice and big. You could also just buy a regular jar of pickles and cut them into spears.
  • All-purpose flour
  • Eggs – I use large eggs.
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Milk – I use 2% milk.
  • Paprika
  • Salt and black pepper
Ingredients to make fried pickles in the air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Pickles

  • Step One: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (if your air fryer model requires preheating).
  • Step Two: Add flour to a shallow bowl. Add eggs and milk to another bowl and whisk to combine. Add panko breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and pepper to a third bowl and stir to combine.
  • Step Three: Dry pickle spears well with paper towels. Dip pickles in flour, then egg mixture and then breadcrumb mixture to coat. Repeat for all spears.
Steps to make air fryer pickles.
  • Step Four: Add pickle spears in a single layer to air fryer basket. Make sure to not overcrowd. You may need to make a couple batches. Spritz spears with grapeseed oil spray.
  • Step Five: Air fry for 6 minutes. Flip over and air fry an additional 6 minutes. 
Steps to make fried pickles in the air fryer.

Equipment Needed

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    This post contains affiliate links.

    What to Serve with Crispy Fried Pickles

    Air fryer fried pickles on a plate.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Try other varieties of pickle spears. Sweet pickles would also be yummy.
    • Change up the spice mixture. Try garlic powder, cajun seasoning, creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, dried dill or oregano.
    • Switch out the panko bread crumbs. Use Italian bread crumbs or Cornflake crumbs.
    • Use buttermilk instead of 2% milk.
    • Add a splash of hot sauce to the eggs mixture for a kick of heat.
    A plate of air fryer fried pickles.

    Storage Instructions

    Store leftover fried pickles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    When you want to enjoy them again, I recommend reheating in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375F. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, until desired temperature is reached.

    Can You Freeze Fried Pickles?

    Yes, you can freeze them to enjoy later! Store them in a large freezer bag for up to 3 months. 

    When you want to eat them, thaw them out first and then reheat in the air fryer.

    A hand dipping a fried pickle spear in ranch dressing.

    Best Dipping Sauces for Air Fryer Pickles Recipe

    My personal favorite is ranch dressing!

    Can I Make It Low Carb?

    Yes, you can make fried pickles lower in carbs by switching out the bread crumbs. Use crushed pork rinds in their place. Use coconut flour or almond flour in place of the all-purpose flour.

    What Are the Best Pickles To Use?

    It’s really a matter of personal preference. For me, I prefer the refrigerated pickles because they are already cut into spears (saves me time!) and are larger in size.

    How Do I Make My Fried Pickles Crispy?

    No one wants a soggy fried pickle! I have a few tips that can help keep that breading nice and crispy.

    • Make sure you dry the pickles VERY WELL with paper towel before you add them to the bowls to bread them. The drier you get them, the crispier they will be. 
    • Don’t use wet bread crumbs. You may notice after you’ve bread several pickles that the bread crumb mixture can get a little wet looking. Add some fresh bread crumbs and stir it up again to make sure it’s dry bread crumbs going on the pickle.
    • Spritz the pickles with your oil spray on both sides before air frying. The oil will help make them golden and crispy. Don’t use cooking spray because it can ruin your air fryer.
    • Place in a single even layer and don’t overcrowd the air fryer. You may have to do a few batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
    • The cook time may vary slightly depending on the make of your air fryer as all models are different. Check the first batch periodically to see if they need more or less time.
    A hand holding a fried pickle spear that has been bitten in half.

    Air Fryer Recipes

    Try my Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Soup and poutine.

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    4.50 from 6 votes

    Air Fryer Fried Dill Pickles

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 4
    Prep Time 18 minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    A crispy and crunchy game day snack. Make this easy appetizer in the air fryer in minutes. They are perfectly seasoned, tangy party food and so much better than deep fried.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 16 pickle spears
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 ½ cup panko bread crumbs
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp pepper

    Instructions

    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F (if your air fryer model requires preheating).
    • Add flour to a bowl. Add eggs and milk to another bowl and whisk to combine. Add panko breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and pepper to a third bowl and stir to combine.
    • Dry pickle spears well with paper towels. Dip pickle spear in flour, then egg mixture and then breadcrumb mixture to coat. Repeat for all spears.
    • Add pickle spears in a single layer to air fryer basket. Make sure to not overcrowd. You may need to make a couple batches. Spritz spears with grapeseed oil spray.
    • Air fry for 6 minutes. Flip over and air fry an additional 6 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 2775mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 683IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 3mg

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Keyword air fryer fried pickles, air fryer pickles

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    One Comment

    1. I am on my way to the store to get the ingredients for this recipe. I love fried pickles. Thank you so much!

    Similar Posts