Fried pickles are a staple in Southern cuisine and have become a trendy appetizer served in bars and restaurants across the US. This article provides a recipe for making delicious and crispy fried pickles, which are guaranteed to be a hit at parties or family gatherings. The recipe requires pickle spears, a mixture of flour and spices, Panko breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, and oil for frying. Tips and tricks are also provided, such as using firm pickles and testing the oil’s temperature before frying. Fried pickles are easy to make and can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.

Fried Pickles: A Southern Classic with a Crunchy Twist

Introduction

Fried pickles are a staple in Southern cuisine, especially in states like Texas and Mississippi. This appetizer is crunchy, tangy, and utterly delicious.

In recent years, fried pickles have become a trendy appetizer in bars and restaurants across the United States. Restaurants often serve them with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo.

This article outlines a step-by-step guide and recipe for making fried pickles that are guaranteed to be a hit at your next party or family gathering.

Ingredients

To make fried pickles, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 jar of pickle spears (16 oz)
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 cups of Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
• Dipping sauce of your choice

Instructions

Follow these instructions to make delicious and crispy fried pickles:

1. Heat up the oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven to around 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
3. Open the jar of pickle spears and drain them of the brine (pickle juice). Pat them dry using paper towels.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
5. In yet another bowl, put Panko breadcrumbs.
6. Dredge the pickle spears in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
7. Dip the floured pickles into the beaten eggs, making sure each spear is coated well.
8. Finally, roll the pickles in the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs firmly onto the pickle spears.
9. Place the pickles in a single layer in the preheated oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.
10. Fry the pickles until they turn golden brown and crispy, which should take around 2-3 minutes.
11. Remove the fried pickles from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil.
12. Serve the fried pickles piping hot with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to make the best fried pickles:

• Use pickle spears that are firm and have a good crunch. Soggy or limp pickles won’t work well for frying.
• Using Panko breadcrumbs will give the fried pickles a crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs.
• Don’t overcrowd the frying pan; that will cause the temperature of the oil to drop, making the pickles soggy.
• Test the oil’s temperature before frying; if the oil isn’t hot enough, the pickles won’t get crispy.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces. Ranch, honey mustard, and spicy mayo are popular options, but you can customize your dipping sauce to your liking.

Conclusion

Fried pickles are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for parties or family gatherings. This recipe is a Southern classic that has been given a crunchy twist with Panko breadcrumbs. Serve the fried pickles with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!