These Air Fryer Pickles are an easy at home version of perfectly crispy and tangy deep fried pickles. Get all of the same crunch and flavor without the mess of frying! Dipped in ranch, these air fryer pickles are actually irresistible! These are the perfect appetizer to serve for Super Bowl!

Take advantage of your air fryer this football season! Try making my Air Fryer Chicken Wings and my Air Fryer Egg Rolls!

Air fryer pickle chips stacked on a white plate next to a bowl of sauce.

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    The BEST Air Fryer Pickles

    I know… Air Fried Pickles? Sounds a little weird. If you have never had a fried pickle in your life, then you are about to have your mind blown. Air Fryer Pickles are salty, briny, crunchy, tangy and savory all at the same time. Trust me when I say this appetizer will be eaten up by everyone!

    Plus, these air fryer pickles are healthier than the deep fried original version and they are so easy to make! With prep and air frying, these will only take 20 minutes to whip up. You can have these as a Super Bowl appetizer or even just as a fun snack for the family!

    And I am not kidding when I say these are CRUNCHY! I think even crunchier then deep fried. Deep fried pickles can get soggy from the breading and oil but these Panko breaded air fried pickles stay super crispy thanks to my tips below!

    Fried pickles in the insert of an air fryer.

    Ingredients Needed

    These air fryer pickles use pantry staples to make a delicious, crispy snack. Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Sliced Dill Pickles: I like using sliced dill sandwich pickles for this recipe, since they are nice and bite sized! I like to go with thinner slices too if possible.
    • Flour: Is used to help the buttermilk to adhere to the pickle and stay on.
    • Buttermilk: Buttermilk is used to ensure that the breadcrumbs stick well to the pickle!
    • Hot Sauce: A bit of hot sauce is added to the buttermilk for a hint of spice.
    • Panko Breadcrumbs: I like using panko breadcrumbs here since they are a little thicker and super crunchy.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated parmesan cheese goes really well in the breadcrumb mixture.
    • Seasonings: Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Italian Seasoning are mixed in with the panko to make these pickles perfectly seasoned!

    Three white bowls, one with flour, one with buttermilk, and one with breadcrumbs.

    How to Make Air Fryer Pickles

    • Prep the Breading: Add flour to a shallow bowl. Add buttermilk and a couple dashes of hot sauce to a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Set aside.

    Pickle chips lined up on paper towels.

    • Dry the Pickles: Pat dry the pickles on both sides with paper towels.

    Pickle chips after being dipped in breading, lined up on a baking sheet.

    • Dip: Start by dipping the pickles in the flour, then in the buttermilk, then lastly into the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or a large plate.
    • Prep the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray the insert of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Add a single layer of pickles to the insert. You will probably have to cook these in batches. Spray the tops of the pickles with nonstick cooking spray.

    Pickles in the air fryer before being cooked.

    • Air Fry: Cook for 9-10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. There is no need to flip them halfway through.
    • Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce! We love to dip these in ranch or blue cheese dressing.

    Pickles in the air fryer after being cooked.

    Tips for Extra Crunchy Pickles

    • Thoroughly pat the pickles dry on both sides with paper towels. This helps to remove excess moisture and helps the breading to stick. Plus it keeps them extra crispy and not soggy.
    • Spray the cooking grate AND the tops of pickles with non stick cooking spray. This helps to crisp them up and you don’t even have to worry about flipping them.

    Substitutions

    • Don’t have buttermilk on hand? You can replace the buttermilk with an egg instead. I like the taste of the buttermilk, but egg will serve the same purpose in this air fryer pickle recipe.
    • You can try this recipe with dill pickle spears instead of the pickle chips if you prefer more pickle to breadcrumb ratio. You will have to cook them longer, about 15 minutes in the air fryer.
    • Try serving these air fryer pickles with your favorite sauces like ranch, chipotle ranch, or blue cheese! For a homemade ranch, try my favorite ranch recipe here.

    Hand holding a fried pickle and dipping it into a small bowl of ranch.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How should I store leftover fried pickles?

    Store any leftover air fried pickles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 350 for a few minutes or in the oven at 350, to ensure that they stay crispy. I don’t recommend warming these up in the microwave since they might come out a little soft!

    Are air fryer pickles freezer friendly?

    Absolutely! After the pickles have cooled, let them freeze on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once they are frozen, transfer to a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer or oven!

    More Appetizer Recipes to Try

    Air Fryer Pickles

    These Air Fryer Pickles are an easy at home version of perfectly crispy and tangy deep fried pickles. Get all the same crunch and flavor without the mess of frying! Dipped in ranch, these air fryer pickles are actually irresistible!
    Servings: 40 pickles
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • Add flour to a shallow bowl.
      Add buttermilk and a couple dashes of hot sauce to a shallow bowl.
      In another shallow bowl combine Panko Breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and herbs, set aside.
    • Pat dry the pickles on both sides with paper towels.
    • Start by dipping the pickles in the flour, then buttermilk then lastly into the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a sheet tray lined with parchment paper or a large plate.
    • Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Spray the insert of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
      Add a single layer of pickles to the insert (you will probably have to cook in batches) Spray the tops of the pickles with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Cook for 9-10 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. There is no need to flip them halfway through.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce! We love to dip these in ranch or blue cheese dressing!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 17kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 16mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 46IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.2mg

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