Description
Southern classic fried pickles deliver crispy, tangy perfection from classic dill rounds coated in seasoned cornmeal batter. Crunchy pickle slices offer irresistible appetizer delight you’ll savor with zesty ranch dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 jar (16 oz / 454 g) dill pickle chips or slices, drained and patted dry
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Ranch dressing or spicy mayo (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep Pickle Base: Drain pickle slices thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels to guarantee a perfectly crisp coating.
- Create Seasoned Flour Blend: Whisk flour with garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a wide container to develop robust flavor profiles.
- Develop Dredging Stations: Prepare three distinct stations – seasoned flour, egg-buttermilk mixture, and breadcrumb-cornmeal coating – positioning them strategically for efficient breading process.
- Coating Technique: Methodically dredge each pickle slice through flour, then egg mixture, and finally roll in breadcrumb-cornmeal blend, ensuring complete and uniform coverage for maximum crunchiness.
- Preheating Oil: Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 375F, using a cooking thermometer to maintain precise temperature for optimal frying conditions.
- Frying Process: Gently lower breaded pickles into hot oil in small batches, rotating occasionally to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior, typically cooking for 2-3 minutes until crisp and delectable.
- Finishing Touch: Remove fried pickles with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towel-lined plate to eliminate excess oil, and serve immediately alongside ranch dressing for maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
- Drain Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture from pickle slices using paper towels to guarantee maximum crispiness and prevent soggy coating.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently at 375F using a cooking thermometer to ensure even, golden-brown frying without burning or undercooking.
- Prevent Overcrowding: Fry pickles in small batches to maintain oil temperature and allow each slice space for proper browning and crisp texture.
- Customize Seasonings: Experiment with different spice blends in flour mixture like smoked paprika, cayenne, or herbs to personalize flavor profile and match dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 267
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg