Fried Pickle Chips Recipe

Fried Pickle Chips

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There's only thing better than fried pickles and that's fried pickles dipped in our Roundhouse-Kick Sauce. Prepare to be amazed at this zesty little number.

Southern Living Test Kitchen

Updated on July 5, 2023

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

Fried pickles launched onto the culinary scene in the early 1960s, when a recipe for “French Fried Pickles” using sweet pickle slices and pancake mix was published in the Oakland Tribune. In 1963 Bernell “Fatman” Austin debuted his version using dill pickles sliced lengthwise. He sold them for 15 cents an order to an adoring crowd at his drive-in “The Duchess” in Arkansas. They're now a staple on menus across the country.

Crunchy on the outside and tender in the center, these irresistible fried pickle chips are a great appetizer for crowds of all sizes. Plate them up on game day, at your next barbecue or dinner party, or whip them up as a weekend snack. Just make sure you make enough!

fried pickle chips in a basket with sauce and beers nearby — Alison Miksch; Food Styling: Catherine Steele; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

How To Make Fried Pickle Chips

When it came to developing a recipe for the perfect fried pickle, we didn't get too crazy. We kept it classic. The full recipe is below, but here's a brief recap.

Step 1. Coat pickle chips: Add dill pickle chips to a batter of buttermilk and black pepper.
Step 2. Coat in cornmeal: Then toss them in a mixture of ground cornmeal and flour
Step 3. Fry: Use your trusty cast-iron skillet to fry the pickle chips to perfection.

How Do You Keep the Breading From Falling off Fried Pickle Chips?

It can be frustrating to go through all the trouble of breading, only to see that breading separate from your pickle chips! If you have a few extra minutes, thoroughly dry your drained dill pickle chips on paper towels to help the buttermilk and breading adhere properly.

How Do You Make Soggy Fried Pickle Chips Crispy?

Crispy fried pickles are glorious, but soggy fried pickles? Definitely not as satisfying. This breading mix of cornmeal and flour provides a nice, sturdy coating for the pickles, and frying at the right temperature ensures a crunchy exterior without soaking up too much oil along the way.

If you make a batch of these pickles ahead and need to revive them, pop them back into the hot oil or your air fryer for a few seconds before serving.

Ingredients

Fried Pickles

1/2 cup whole buttermilk
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 (16-oz.) jar dill pickle chips, drained
1 1/2 cups finely ground cornmeal
1/2 cup (about 2 1/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
Canola oil

Roundhouse-Kick Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chili sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Prepare the Roundhouse-Kick Sauce:

Stir together mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar, Sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, mustard, and pepper in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare buttermilk mixture:

Combine buttermilk and pepper in a shallow dish; add pickles, and stir to coat.
Coat pickle chips in breading:

Stir together cornmeal and flour in another shallow dish. Add several pickles at a time, and toss to coat evenly with cornmeal mixture. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
Fry pickle chips:

Pour oil in a large cast-iron skillet to a depth of 1 inch. Heat oil to 365°F over medium-high. Add pickles, in batches, and fry until golden brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with Roundhouse-Kick Sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you substitute for buttermilk?

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, substitute with plain yogurt or sour cream, thinned with a little milk or cream until pourable.
Are pickle fries the same as Fried Pickle Chips?

Pickle fries are dill pickles that are typically cut into thin strips, battered and deep fried, with a similar result to zucchini fries. In short? Similar, but different.
What oil is best for frying Fried Pickle Chips?

Neutral oils with high smoke points, like canola or vegetable oil, work well for frying.