Dessert

Air Fryer Fried Pickles with Creamy Dipping Sauce Recipe

ByJeannette Jaeger October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

Introduction

Air Fryer Fried Pickles offer a crispy, tangy snack that’s perfect for any occasion. This healthier twist on a southern classic delivers golden, crunchy pickles without the hassle of deep frying. Serve them with a creamy dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat.

A white plate holds a pile of golden brown crispy fried pickle slices, each with a textured, crunchy coating and slightly uneven round shapes. Next to the pickle slices is a small clear glass bowl filled with a thick, creamy white dipping sauce speckled with green herbs. The plate sits on a white marbled surface that offers a clean, bright background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup sliced pickles
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ teaspoon salt (for dip)
½ teaspoon black pepper (for dip)
¼ cup minced onions (finely chopped)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon dried dill (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Lay down a couple of sheets of paper towels. Arrange the pickle slices on the towels and place more paper towels on top. Let them dry for a few minutes to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Step 3: Place the panko breadcrumbs in another shallow dish.
Step 4: Working one pickle slice at a time, dip it into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Transfer the coated pickles to a baking sheet.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the pickles in a single layer inside the basket, leaving space between each piece. Lightly spray with oil.
Step 6: Air fry for 5-7 minutes, then flip the pickles and spray lightly with more oil. Continue air frying for another 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: Meanwhile, prepare the dipping sauce by mixing sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, minced onions, garlic, and dried dill (if using) in a small bowl.
Step 8: Serve the fried pickles warm with the creamy dip and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, double coat the pickles by dipping them again into the egg mixture and breadcrumbs before air frying.
Substitute regular pickles with spicy pickles for a bolder flavor.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a smoky or spicy kick.
If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs can be used but may result in a less crunchy texture.

Storage

Store leftover fried pickles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. The dipping sauce should be kept refrigerated and consumed within 3 days.

How to Serve

A close-up image shows a silver bowl filled with creamy, thick yellow batter speckled with black pepper, sitting on a white marbled surface. A woman's hand is dipping a round, light yellow chip with a slightly rough texture into the batter, coating it halfway. The batter clings smoothly to the chip, with a small drip about to fall back into the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pickles for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh, well-drained pickle slices because frozen pickles contain extra moisture, which can prevent proper crisping in the air fryer.

What can I substitute if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake the pickles on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be as crispy as air-fried, but still delicious.