Air Fryer Pickles

If you’re a certified pickle-lover like us, you’ll be OBSESSED with these easy air fryer pickles! Air frying dill pickle spears is not only easier than deep fried versions, but it’s also less messy and just as delicious. We take the deliciousness of these crispy fried pickles even further by dipping ’em in our favorite dipping sauce. It’s packed with flavor and makes the perfect appetizer for any occasion!

We are midwestern girlies here on FFF and we love ordering fried pickles before Fish Fry on Fish Fry Friday. They have to be in rounds, not spears. We have concluded that rounds get crunchier and are more delicious.

What’s In Air Fryer Pickles

• Dill pickles: we used Milwaukee, regular-sized dill pickles cut into spears. You can use your favorite kind of dill pickles.
• Panko breadcrumbs: nothing beats the texture and crunch of panko bread crumbs! It’s what helps give these pickles their crispy coating.
• Greek yogurt: we recommend using 2% or 5% Greek yogurt for the dipping sauce. It adds a tangy and creamy element.
• Mayonnaise: mayo is the base of the dipping sauce and adds richness to balance out the tanginess of the Greek yogurt.
• Fresh lemon juice: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dipping sauce.
• Dried chives: gives the dipping sauce a subtle onion flavor without any extra chopping or prep.

Variations and Substitutions

Put your own spin on these breaded pickles by trying out different ingredients and flavors! For example, you can always swap the panko bread crumbs for regular breadcrumbs or even crushed crackers. 

If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use sour cream instead for the dipping sauce. You could also add some heat to the coating by mixing cayenne pepper or chili powder into the breadcrumb mixture or in the dipping sauce to spice it up. Parmesan cheese would taste great mixed in the coated pickles as well. Get creative if you want!

Tips for Air Fryer Pickles

• It is important to bread the pickles on a separate plate so the egg mixture doesn’t cause the bread mixture to clump. 
• The process of breading the pickles is tedious. Be patient and try to cover as much of the pickles as possible. It will make for an extra crispy texture.
• Make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the pickles. This helps ensure an evenly cooked and crispy result.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket with too many pickles at once. This can lead to uneven cooking and soggy pickles!

Storage + Freezer Directions

Store any leftover air fryer pickles in an airtight container wrapped in paper towels and in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

To freeze, place in a freezer-safe, airtight container and store in the freezer in a single layer for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

This air fryer pickles recipe is THE ultimate delicious appetizer, so why stop there? You can also serve them as a side dish for your favorite Homemade Burgers or Homemade Egg Salad Sandwich, or even on top of a salad for some added crunch.  

Want to take it up a notch? Make it a meal by serving them with some Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries or Baked Potato Salad! Mmm.