Air Fryer Fried Pickles (Extra Crispy + Easy!)

Name: Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 ounce dill pickle chips; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1/2 tbsp paprika; 1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper; olive oil spray; 1/2 tbsp flaky salt (optional); ranch dressing (for dipping)

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These crispy air fryer fried pickles are everything you want in a snack: crunchy, tangy, and dunkable—without the mess of deep frying.

If you’ve ever ordered fried pickles at a restaurant and thought, “I could eat a whole plate of these,” you’re going to love this air fryer version.

With pantry staples like flour, panko, and common spices, this recipe comes together fast and satisfies that pub-style craving in a lighter, easier way. These crispy air fryer fried pickles are the perfect appetizer for game day, just like my Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks and Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Crispy air fryer fried pickles served with ranch dressing for dipping.

Table of Contents

Quick Info

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Best Air Fryer Fried Pickles

a girl wearing a black leather jacket holding a drink

Crispy without the guilt – You get that satisfying crunch and flavor of deep-fried pickles, but with way less oil and fat.
Quick and easy snack or appetizer – cooks in 15 minutes, no messy batter or complicated steps.
Customizable – Easily tweak the seasoning (spicy, garlicky, ranch-flavored, etc.) and choose your favorite dipping sauces.
Kid-friendly – A fun twist on a classic snack that’s universally loved…even pickle skeptics end up obsessed!

Jordan

Ingredients You Will Need

Pickles, flour, spices, eggs, ranch dressing, and panko in small ingredient bowls.

Pickles: The star of the show, duh!
Seasonings: A blend of salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder gives the breading extra flavor.
Eggs: Helps the breading adhere to the pickles.
Flour: All purpose flour works fine, but you can also use almond flour for those who are gluten free!
Baking soda: Helps the breading take on a nice and light texture as it fries.
Breadcrumbs: I prefer Panko breadcrumbs for a super crispy result, but other kinds of breadcrumbs will work just as well.

*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.

What Kind Of Pickles Should I Use?

I tend to go for pickle chips when making air fried pickles! They’re nice and thin and cook quickly. If you use spears, you may find issues getting the breading to stick properly, and they’re also super hot when you bite into them from all the juice.

When it comes for pickle variety, classic dill is the way to go. You could try something different like bread and butter, but the flavors may not turn out the way you want them to.

As for the brand, always look for Grill o’s Pickles! They have the most flavor.

How To Make Crispy Fried Pickles In The Air Fryer

Bowl of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings being mixed to create breading for air fryer pickles.

Step 1: Make the breading. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, breadcrumbs, baking soda, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
*You should see a well-mixed dry coating that clings easily to the pickles.

Sliced dill pickles coated in seasoned flour and ready to be dipped in egg for air frying.

Step 2: Bread the pickles. Pat the pickle chips dry with a paper towel. Dip each one into the dry mixture, then the egg, then back into the dry mix for extra crunch.
*Double-dipping is optional, but highly recommended for that pub-style crust.

Raw breaded pickle chips arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket before cooking.

Step 3: Load into the air fryer. Arrange the breaded pickles in a single layer in the air fryer basket—don’t overcrowd them. Give them a light spritz of olive oil spray for maximum crispiness.
*They should have a light coating of oil and be spaced evenly.

Golden brown air fryer fried pickles fresh out of the basket, crispy and ready to serve.

Step 4: Air fry until crispy. Cook at 390°F for 10 minutes, flip, and continue cooking for 5–6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or Bang Bang Sauce.
*They’ll be golden and irresistible when ready—just try not to eat them all right out of the basket.

Recipe tips and variations

Fried pickle spears. If you prefer spears, you can use this same method. Just be careful when you bite into them because they get super hot!
Seasoned fried pickles. Infuse your air fryer pickles with a variety of different flavors by using seasoning blends like Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or your favorite spices.
Keto fried pickles. Use almond flour instead of all purpose and look for a keto-friendly breadcrumb option.
Vegan fried pickles. Substitute the egg for a vegan egg substitute and be sure to serve with a vegan dipping option!
Dry the pickles well before coating to help the flour and eggs stick—use paper towels to pat them dry.
Double dip for extra crunch: After the first flour-egg coating, you can return to the flour once more for an extra crispy crust.
Breadcrumb options: You can swap panko for regular breadcrumbs, but the texture will be less crispy.
Dipping sauce ideas: Ranch is classic, but spicy mayo, blue cheese, or a creamy jalapeño dip would also work great.

Golden breaded pickle chips on parchment with a bowl of ranch.

What To Serve With Air-Fried Pickles

These pickles are the perfect indulgent side dish to serve alongside a hearty chicken parm burger or as a topping with my cheeseburger pasta salad. You could also pair them with bang bang chicken tenders or double down on the pickle flavor with this pickle pasta salad!

Last week I ate them with a filet of Air Fryer Panko Crusted Salmon and it was a delicious meal!

These are also amazing with Air Fryer Chicken Wings or my Air Fryer Zucchini Fries for the ultimate snack platter.

Recipe FAQs

How do I reheat Air Fryer Fried Pickles?

Reheat them in the air fryer until they’re crunchy again. Don’t microwave them or you’ll end up with soggy breading.

How do I store them?

Keep them in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Do I need to dry the pickles first?

Yes – pat each pickle dry with a paper towel. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick and prevents them from steaming instead of crisping in the air fryer.

What do I dip my fried pickles in?

Try them with some marinara sauce, hot sauce, spicy mayo, or ketchup, a homemade BBQ Sauce, or this tangy and slightly spicy Bang Bang Sauce. Other great options for pairing are Jalapeno Popper Dip, Big Mac Sauce, Chick-fil-A Sauce, or Yum Yum Sauce.

If you tried this Air Fryer Fried Pickles or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!