Air Fryer Pickles In 5 Minutes

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These air fryer fried pickles are perfectly crispy, seasoned, and highly addictive. Ready in less than 5 minutes, they are a great addition to any meal!

Fun appetizers made in the air fryer? Count me in.

We have a slew of favorites on hand, including biscuits, chicken wings, and these deceptively easy pickles.

Why this recipe works

Easy to make. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll have a big bowl of fried pickles ready to dip in your favorite condiments.
Full of flavors. The seasonings added to the batter take it to another level!
Healthy. Deep-fried pickles are packed with calories and fat but the air-fried version has a fraction of it.

Can we lament about how perfect the texture is? Extra crispy on the outside and super juicy in the middle. These never last long!

Ingredients needed

Similar to fried pickles, the air-fried version uses all the same ingredients but without the oil. Here is what you need:

Dill pickles. Use large whole pickles.
Flour. Whole grain or regular flour.

For the batter

Egg. Room temperature.
Mustard. I used yellow mustard but any mild-flavored mustard works.
Mayonnaise. The secret ingredient that gives the batter an extra crispy and flavorful texture.
Water. As needed.
Flour. To thicken the batter.

For the dry mix

Bread crumbs.
Panko bread crumbs.
Smoked paprika.
Salt.

How to make air fryer pickles

This recipe is very quick to make and like any air fryer recipe, this magic gadget takes care of all the hard work! Ready to fry some pickles?

Step 1: Prep the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 200C or 400F. Meanwhile, cut the pickles in ½ inch slices and toss them in the flour.

Step 2: Prepare batter and dry mix

In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, egg, and water and mix well. Fold this mixture in the flour and continue mixing until a smooth pancake-like batter forms.

Take another bowl and mix together the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Coat the pickles with batter and dry mix

First, dip the pickles in the batter and then coat them with the dry mix. Put the battered pickles on the plate lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Cook the pickles in the air fryer

Grease an air fryer basket generously. Place the pickles in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and air fry them for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.

Can I use frozen pickles?

Yes, you can use frozen pickles for air frying. To cook them in a short time, thaw them before adding them to the air fryer for cooking. Do not air fry frozen solid pickles as the batter will slip off.

Tips to make the best recipe

Cut the pickles into large slices to stick more batter and dry mix to each slice which will add more flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket with pickles, as they can get soggy this way.
Ensure the pickles are as dry as possible before adding any batter. This will help the batter and seasonings hold onto them much easier.

Storage instructions

To store. Place leftovers in a shallow container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To freeze. Place the cooled air fried pickles in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating. These pickles are supposed to be crispy, so do not reheat them in the microwave. Instead, use a preheated oven or back in the air fryer.

More air fryer recipes to try

Frequently asked questions

How long do you air fry frozen dill pickles?

Frozen dill pickles will need more time to cook, so air fry them for about 10-12 minutes. You can reduce the cooking time by thawing them.

Are fried pickles healthy?

These air-fried pickles have lower calories and fats than traditional fried pickles, hence healthier.

How many calories are in a slice of fried pickles?

There are around 24 calories in an air fryer fried pickle.

4 large dill pickles
1/4 cup flour