Fried Pickle Spears

5 from 15 votes

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Fried pickle spears are crispy, tangy, and served with a homemade dipping sauce. Make this recipe for a delicious appetizer or party snack!

deep fried pickle spears on white plate with homemade dipping sauce


Deep fried pickles are a delicious treat for game day parties and any other place you want a crispy appetizer. No matter what the occasion, this popular Southern snack is sure to hit the spot.

You can make this recipe in just a few simple steps. Even better, fried pickle spears are ready to eat in just 20 minutes!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

(Be sure to check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities)

  • Dill pickle spears – I like to use Vlasic brand dill pickle spears. They are firmer, so they hold up better under frying.
  • Vegetable oil
  • Breading
  • Flour – regular all-purpose flour
  • Dry ranch dressing mix
  • Cayenne powder – leave out if you are sensitive to spicy foods
  • Eggs, beaten
  • Panko bread crumbs – you can also use an even mix of Panko and sourdough bread crumbs
  • Dipping sauce
  • Ranch dressing – use my recipe or your favorite bottled variety
  • Ketchup
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning – I like to make my own but store-bought works too
ingredients in bowls on on counter to make deep fried pickles

Tip From Kevin

Treating Hot Oil Burns/Splatter

If hot oil does happen to splatter onto your skin, immediately run under cool (not cold) water for 15-20 minutes. Then apply fresh aloe vera, burn ointment and or seek medical professional treatment.

fried pickle spears in white serving dish

How to Make Fried Pickle Spears

  1. Prep the ingredients
  2. First, heat the oil and drain the pickle spears.
  3. Make three separate dipping bowls – one with the flour and seasonings, one with the eggs, and one with the bread crumbs.
  4. Coat for frying
  5. Next, use one hand to roll and dip the pickle spears through the bowls of ingredients, in the order shown below.
  6. Shake off any excess after each egg step, and use your other hand to press the bread crumbs so they stick to the surface.
  7. Repeat this process until all of the spears are battered and breaded.
  8. Flour mixture
  9. Eggs
  10. Flour mixture
  11. Eggs
  12. Bread crumbs
  13. Cook and serve
  14. To avoid oil from splattering, gently slide each pickle spear into the hot oil. Use tongs to protect your hands and fingers.
  15. Cook until golden brown on each side, flipping halfway through. Then, transfer to a wire rack or paper towels to drain.
  16. Make the dipping sauce and serve the deep fried pickles while they’re hot.
deep fried pickles on a wire rack

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for Panko breadcrumbs?

Panko crumbs are made from crustless white bread. The bread is ground into airy flakes, making it the perfect coating for deep-fried foods. The texture of the food stays crispy because these flakes don’t absorb as much grease as standard breadcrumbs. Unfortunately, there aren’t any perfect substitutes, but there are a few alternatives you can try.

Crush any of the following items to use as a coating for your pickles:
Saltine crackers
Potato chips
Corn flakes cereal
Rice Chex cereal

How do I avoid soggy pickles?

It can help to lightly pat the pickle spears with a paper towel before coating them in the batter.

How do I store leftovers?

While they are best right after being cooked, fried pickle spears can be kept in the refrigerator for a few days.

How do I reheat them?

Do not microwave! Instead, bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees F or heat in a pan until warmed through.

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dipping fried pickle spears into dipping sauce
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deep fried pickle spears on white plate with homemade dipping sauce

Fried Pickle Spears

5 from 15 votes
Fried pickle spears are crispy, tangy, and served with a homemade dipping sauce. Make this recipe for a delicious appetizer or party snack!
Servings: 4
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 26 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups Panko bread crumbs (See Note 1)
  • 12 dill pickle spears (See Note 2)

Dipping Sauce

Instructions 

  • Heat oil to 375°F in deep fryer or deep sided cast iron skillet.
  • In a shallow bowl, stir together flour, Ranch dressing mix and cayenne powder.
  • In another shallow bowl, beat eggs.
  • In third shallow bowl, place Panko bread crumbs.
  • Roll each pickle spear in flour mixture, then into egg using one hand, shaking off excess. Dip back into flour mixture for a second time, then into egg a second time. Coat pickle spear with bread crumbs, pressing with other hand to adhere. Set aside on plate and repeat with remaining pickle spears.
  • Fry in hot oil 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, or until golden brown. Drain fried pickles on cooling rack or paper towels.
  • Combine dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
  • Serve fried pickles with dipping sauce.

Video

Notes

  1. I used 1 cup Panko and 1 cup Sourdough breadcrumbs in the video due to #StayAtHome Corona Virus lockdown, but feel free to use 2 cups of Panko if you prefer. 🙂
  2. I typically find Vlasic Dill Pickle Spears to hold up well and stay crisp and firm.
  3. I make my own Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
  4. I make my own Lemon Pepper Seasoning.

Nutrition

Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 1220mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 15mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Southern
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
Fried Pickle Spears with dipping sauce

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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26 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My daughter has been craving fried pickles for days! Found this recipe and made it for breakfast this morning. 🤪 Amazing flavor! Super crunchy! Very delicious!!! It’s the double dip!

    1. Hi Majken! I haven’t tried freezing them before frying, but I imagine that the process is the same as it is for any other breaded fried food. I would just be sure to space them out on a sheet pan before freezing to prevent them from sticking together. After they’re frozen, you could transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.