If you love the tangy crunch of fried pickles but don’t want the extra grease from deep frying, this Air Fryer Fried Pickles recipe is going to be your new favorite appetizer! They come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside — all in under 30 minutes. Serve them with a creamy dip for the ultimate game-day snack or party starter!
For the Pickles
1 cup sliced pickles
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
For the Dip
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup minced onion (as fine as possible)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried dill (optional but recommended!)
Prep the Pickles
Spread pickles on paper towels, top with another layer, and let dry for a few minutes to remove excess moisture.
Make the Coating
In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Place panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.
Coat the Pickles
Dip each pickle slice in the egg mixture, then coat in breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet while you finish the batch.
Air Fry
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange pickles in a single layer, leaving space between each one.
Spray lightly with oil and air fry 5–7 minutes.
Flip, spray again, and cook another 5–7 minutes until golden and crispy.
Make the Dip
Stir together all dip ingredients in a small bowl. Serve alongside your crispy fried pickles!
Dry well! The drier the pickles, the crispier the result.
Use panko breadcrumbs only — they make a huge crunch difference.
Don’t overcrowd the basket; cook in batches for best browning.
Add a pinch of cayenne to the coating for extra heat!