This fried pickles recipe delivers pickles coated in a seasoned beer batter and deep fried until crispy and golden brown. A unique and unexpected appetizer option that’s sure to get rave reviews!
In my opinion, you can never go wrong when it comes to pickles. I’ve been known to enjoy dill pickle dip, bacon wrapped pickles, and these irresistible deep fried pickles.
Whenever I go to a restaurant, I look for fried pickles on the appetizer menu. I’ve learned to make this fun snack at home, and I think my version is even better than what you’d get at a restaurant!
These fried pickles are perfect for an appetizer platter with fried okra, coconut shrimp and hot spinach dip!
Table of Contents
Fried Pickles Ingredients
To make this fried pickles recipe you will need sliced pickles, flour, beer, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oil and parsley.
How Do You Make Fried Pickles?
When you make this fried pickle recipe, start by preparing a batter. In a medium sized bowl, mix together beer, flour and seasonings until smooth. Next, slice pickles and dip the slices in flour. Once coated in flour, dip the slices in the batter. Place them in hot vegetable oil or peanut oil to cook. After a few minutes, the pickles will turn golden brown. Remove the pickles from the oil and cook up the next batch. When all the pickles are done, give them a sprinkle of parsley and serve them hot.
Tips For The Perfect Fried Pickles
- I prefer to cut my own pickle slices from whole pickles instead of using the store-bought pickle chips. The store bought sliced pickles tend to be too thin to stand up to the batter.
- I cut my pickles into 3/4 inch slices for the best results.
- When you fry the pickles, keep the bowl of batter close to the pot of oil so that you can easily transfer the battered pickles into the oil.
- I like to use a spider strainer or a long slotted spoon to place the pickles in the hot oil and remove them from the oil.
- After you cook the pickles, let them drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- This beer batter fries up light and crispy. You won’t need any eggs.
- I use pickle chips because the batter coats the smaller pickle slices easier than larger pickle spears or whole pickles.
- These pickles are best when served immediately after being cooked. However, you can refrigerate and reheat them. Reheat them and crisp them up in a 400 degree F oven.
Quick Tip
Be sure to use a frying thermometer to ensure that the oil is at the correct temperature.
Recipe FAQs
For beer batter, choose a beer that has a lighter color. Lagers work well for a mild flavored batter to let the pickles really shine. You can try a lighter colored ale if you want a more complex taste. I like to use a Belgian style wheat ale. Belgian style wheat ale makes a delicious batter that cooks up flavorful with great results every time.
Fried pickles started as a Southern snack that has spread across the United States. Most people think that the fried pickle started at a formerly operating restaurant called Duchess Drive-In located in Atkins, Arkansas. This restaurant is claimed to be the first to sell fried pickles. The restaurant was located near a pickle factory so one day pickles were battered and placed in the fryer. Unfortunately, the Duchess Drive-In closed and the only place to have that version is at a booth during Picklefest in Atkins, Arkansas. If you can’t make it to Picklefest, you can give this recipe a try.
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Flavor Variations
These fried pickles cook up crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The recipe is delicious as written; however, you can modify it to suit your own taste.
- Spicy: For some extra spice, mix a pinch of cayenne pepper or a little hot sauce into the batter.
- Veggies: If you want other fried veggies, try my fried mushrooms, onion rings and fried green beans which all feature a delicious beer batter.
- Dips: I made a homemade ranch dip for these pickles. However, you can use your favorite dipping sauce like homemade bbq sauce, herb veggie dip, blue cheese dressing, bottled ranch dressing, ketchup or easy fry sauce.
- Flavor: For extra flavor you can add some smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning or Italian seasoning to your batter.
You have to try this fried pickles recipe! It is amazing how the humble pickle can become a real crowd pleaser with the right treatment!
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Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Fried Pickles
Ingredients
- 2 cups sliced pickles I like to cut 3/4 inch thick slices from whole pickles
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour divided use
- 1 1/4 cups beer
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- oil for frying
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 375 degrees F.
- Coat the pickles in 1/2 cup flour, shaking off any excess.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining cup of flour, beer, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Coat each pickle slice in batter, letting the excess batter drip back into the bowl.
- Fry 8-10 pickle slices at a time until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
- Repeat the process with the remaining pickles.
- Sprinkle with parsley, then serve immediately.
Notes
- I prefer to cut my own pickle slices from whole pickles instead of using the store-bought pickle chips. The store bought sliced pickles tend to be too thin to stand up to the batter. I cut my pickles into 3/4 inch slices for the best results.
- When you fry the pickles, keep the bowl of batter close to the pot of oil so that you can easily transfer the battered pickles into the oil.
- Be sure to use a frying thermometer to ensure that the oil is at the correct temperature.
Does it matter what beer you use?
I typically use a mild, lighter beer such as a lager.
I have always used blue moon beer. I have tried almost 20 beers and blue moon is hands down the best I can find.
I’ve never made anything with beer due to my 13 year old. He loves pickles. Does the batter taste like beer and onion/garlic? Would love to cook this as an appetizer in 2 days for a smaller dinner celebrating a family member’s birthday. Thank you
You can use seltzer water if you prefer, this batter tastes like a standard beer batter so there’s a hint of the malty flavor, but all the alcohol cooks off. I don’t like beer but I love this batter!
Super fun and tasty treat!
I come from a family that has enjoyed all sorts of pickles: dill, sweet, bread and butter, love them all. I also come from a part of the country that never heard of “fried pickles”, if you can believe it! I never heard of them until I was dining at THE steakhouse in Snook, Tx. There I fell in LOVE. I am curious, however, if Fried Pickles are always dill pickles. Your recipes does not state.
I’ve only had them as dill pickles, but I think you could do it with bread and butter pickles if you prefer that!
I love fried pickles! And these look delicious. I am not a drinker so I know nothing about beers. Could you substitute the beer for something else? I mean I’ve made things with 7up or seltzer water to get the bubbly effect. Also there is a dip shown in the picture.that you didn’t mention. Can you tell me what it is? Thank you😁
Seltzer would be fine! The dip shown is ranch.
These look so wonderfully golden and crispy – I bet they are pretty addictive!
Fried pickles!!! I love these so much. I made them for our last game night and they were gobbled up faster than I could make them.
A unique way to making this fried pickles. Beer sounds interesting. These looks delicious and crunchy. Amazing snack as well.
These are too good to miss them. The type of an appetizer I get really excited about. Can’t wait to make a big match of these at home – yum!
I’ve only had these in restaurants so it was such a treat to make these for our family at home!
Quite possibly the best way to enjoy pickles! These were not only easy, but delicious too!
These were really tasty! Made a great lunch
I never knew this was a thing but totally glad it exists! Definitely going to give these a try for our next game day party! Such a fantastic idea!
These fried pickles are mouth watering!
Such an amazing recipe for fried pickles. I love that you use beer in the recipe. Nothing better than fried pickles and ranch dip for snack!