Deep Fried Pickles

These Deep Fried Pickles are the perfect crispy, tangy snack you can make at home in minutes! They’re budget-friendly, family-approved, and ideal for parties, appetizers, or game day — just add your favorite dipping sauce.

After testing this recipe in my own kitchen with my kids, it quickly became a family favorite.

Recipe at a Glance

• Ready in under 20 minutes
• Only 6 ingredients
• Perfect for parties, game day, or snacks
• No special equipment needed
• Kid-friendly & budget-approved

Ingredients

• Sliced Dill Pickles – I used the waffle cut but either any type will work. Choose your favorite brand — even store-brand pickles will taste great and keep this recipe affordable. Pickle chips are quick to cook and give you that perfect crisp bite.
• Flour – Helps the egg mixture to stick to the pickles. All purpose flour is key to a crispy, even breading.
• Large Eggs and Milk – Beat together to create the base for your breading. This mixture helps the panko coating stick. You can use any milk you have on hand — whole, 2%, or even dairy-free if needed.
• Panko Bread Crumbs – These give the pickles their signature crunch. Panko is lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, but you can use what you have on hand. For extra flavor, try seasoned panko.
• Vegetable Oil For Frying – Use enough to cover the pickles while frying — about 2 inches deep in your pan. Vegetable, peanut oil or canola oil works well for high-heat frying and keeps the recipe budget-friendly.

How to Make Deep Fried Pickles

Step 1 – Prep the Coating – You will need to get out 3 small bowls. Put flour in one bowl, eggs and milk in a second bowl (Make sure to beat them together.) and in the last bowl the Panko bread crumbs.

Step 2 – Coat the Pickles – Start by coating the sliced pickles in the flour, then in the egg mixture and then in the panko mixture.

Step 3 – Set Pickles Aside – Set aside on a separate plate or baking sheet until ready to deep fry. Keep repeating this process until all of the pickle slices have been coated in the flour mixture.

Step 4 – Pickles are ready to Fry- Add oil to a small saucepan and heat oil on medium heat. One by one, place the coated pickles in the hot oil with a slotted spoon. Fry on each side until the pickles are golden brown. This normally takes about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 5 – Once the pickles are finished cooking, put them on a plate with a paper towel to help soak the grease up. You can also pat them dry. If you prefer, top with salt and this will also help to keep them crisp.

Best Pickles for Frying

Dill pickle chips are best for frying. They are small and bite size making them easy to coat, fry and eat.

You can also use pickle spears. These take a few minutes longer to cook due to their size but also turn out delicious.

I prefer the size of the pickle chips but have used the spears before and it turned out yummy too.

Dipping Sauce Ideas

Anytime we make these Fried Pickles with our Cheese Stuffed Burgers or Oven Fried Chicken we always serve with our favorite dipping sauce.

• Ranch Dressing – This is my favorite for dipping!
• Homemade Ketchup – A few ingredients is all you need.
• Spicy Ranch – If you like a little extra heat, try using spicy ranch to dip the fried pickles in.
• BBQ Sauce 
• Chic-fil-A Sauce
• Dill Pickle Dip

Tips for Success

• Pat the Pickles Dry – Before coating with the batter, gently pat the pickle slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the breading stick better and prevents splattering in the oil.
• Keep the Oil Hot and Steady – Use a thermometer if you can and aim for the oil temperature reaching 375°F. Too cool and the pickles will be greasy; too hot and the coating will burn before the inside is warm.
• Fry in Batches – Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry a few pickles at a time so the oil stays hot and each one crisps up evenly.
• Drain Properly After Frying – Place the cooked pickles on a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate. For best results, sprinkle with a pinch of salt right away to lock in crispiness.
• Change Seasoning – This is a great base recipe for pickle chips. You can add seasoning to the egg mixture to change up the flavor of these deep fried pickles. Some ideas include – Italian seasoning, garlic salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning. Any of these would be great mixed into this egg mixture.

Storage Tips

Fried foods are best enjoyed fresh. For that reason, I try to only cook what I know we will eat.

However, if we do have leftovers, they can be stored inside an airtight container. I would recommend putting a paper towel in the bottom of the container to help soak up the grease.

Another tip is to make sure they are completely cool before placing in the container. This will help prevent any condensation from making them soggy inside the container.

To reheat, place in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to help crisp them back up.