Description
Crispy and flavorful air fried pickles are the perfect snack or appetizer. Coated in a seasoned flour and panko breadcrumb mixture and cooked quickly in the air fryer, these pickles deliver a crunchy texture without the extra oil of traditional frying. With a hint of Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, they’re packed with bold flavor and a satisfying crunch that makes them irresistible.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickle Preparation
- 2 cups dill pickle slices
Breading
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
Binding
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Dry the pickles: Drain the dill pickle slices and lay them out on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Pat them dry carefully to remove excess moisture, which will help the coating stick better and get crisper during air frying.
- Prepare the flour mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour and Cajun seasoning. Stir well to distribute the seasoning evenly throughout the flour for a balanced spicy flavor.
- Whisk the eggs: Crack the eggs into a second bowl and whisk them until smooth and uniform. This will help the breadcrumb coating adhere to the pickles.
- Mix the breadcrumb seasoning: In a third shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs with garlic powder and smoked paprika. Stir together to ensure the seasoning is evenly mixed for a flavorful crust.
- Coat the pickles: Dip each pickle slice first into the seasoned flour, coating it completely. Then dip it into the whisked eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the pickle into the seasoned panko mixture, making sure it is evenly coated on all sides.
- Arrange in the air fryer: Place the coated pickles in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Avoid overcrowding to allow hot air to circulate freely; cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the pickles: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook the pickles for 10 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping on both sides. After 10 minutes, check their crispness and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if needed to reach your preferred crunchiness.
- Serve immediately: Once cooked to your liking, remove the pickles from the air fryer and serve hot for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the pickle slices dry thoroughly to ensure the coating sticks and crisps properly.
- You can adjust the Cajun seasoning to make the pickles more or less spicy according to your taste.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, although air frying yields crispier results.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or spicy mayo for extra flavor.
- Use good quality panko for the crispiest coating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fried pickles, crispy pickles, appetizer, snack, Cajun pickles, panko breaded pickles, air fryer recipes, easy appetizer
