Fried Pickles Recipe with Ranch Dipping Sauce

This Fried Pickles Recipe with Ranch Dipping Sauce is sure to be a family favorite snack. These pickles make a delicious and interesting appetizer for your party or family fun.

 

Fried Pickles Recipe

When we go out to eat we love to get appetizers like fried pickles or Fried Green Tomatoes which are a Southern tradition and something my Aunt in Alabama made every time we came to visit. Every once in a while, we like to make some fried foods at home like this recipe for Fried Cabbage. It’s such a great main dish that is inexpensive and easy to make. Another fried food that we love is what I would consider a dessert and that’s Fried Apples . They are always a family favorite.

I found my love for fried pickles while at an Apple Festival. I was waiting in the food line, counting my cash for the hundredth time, and trying to figure out how to get all six of us something everyone could agree on. As usual, I was also having a conversation with complete strangers. They all convinced me to try fried pickles with ranch dipping sauce.

Let me tell you, I have not been able to forget about those delicious fried pickles since!

I’ve made my own version of the fried pickles from the apple festival a couple of times. Each time that I make these pickles, the kids gather around like vultures. Everyone has their opinions on whether or not the spears or chips are better. The chips are a little easier to handle. They are bite-sized.  The spears are super juicy and might require a knife and fork to make them bite-sized. Both are delicious.

What I love about this recipe

• everyone loves it. It’s a crowd-pleaser and tastes just like the fried pickles at the fair
• this recipe is easy to make and follow with step-by-step instructions
• the pickles are crisp on the outside and on the inside

Ingredients:

Cornmeal Mix

• cornmeal – cornmeal adds a nice crisp texture to the outside of these fried pickles
• all-purpose flour – a thickening agent that also helps the batter stick to the pickles
• ground black pepper – this is used to give these pickles a little bit of a heat flavor
• cayenne pepper – don’t worry, it only enhances the flavor. The amount used gives it a mild flavor. If you want spicy pickles then you can adjust the heat with the amount of cayenne pepper
• salt – salt is used to enhance the other flavors

Wet batter Ingredients

• buttermilk – I would not use regular milk for this recipe. Buttermilk is so much thicker and helps with coating the pickles
• egg – the egg will help the batter stick to the pickles
• flour – a thickening agent that also helps the batter stick to the pickle and helps the batter puff up

Dipping Sauce

• ranch dressing mix – this is the base of the dipping sauce. You do not need to purchase a particular brand
• cayenne pepper – adds a layer of flavor to the dipping sauce, but it won’t make it too spicy
• garlic powder – this adds another layer of flavor to the dipping sauce
• ground pepper – another spice to add flavor
• mayonnaise – mayo is a staple in most dipping sauces. You do not need to purchase a specific brand
• buttermilk – You can use whole milk, but buttermilk really helps this dipping sauce come together and shine

More

• dill pickles – deli fresh pickles are the absolute best pickle for this recipe. They are juicy and so crisp. If you only have bottled pickles, that is perfectly fine, as well

How to make Fried Pickles

• To prepare the Ranch Dipping Sauce, mix the dipping sauce ingredients together, cover, and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes

• Using a large resealable bag, mix the cornmeal, and the 1/3 cup of flour together, add the spices Seal, and shake

• Put the remaining 1/2 cup of flour into a separate medium-sized bowl
• Mix the buttermilk, and egg together

• Place pickles on a paper towel to absorb some of the juices
• Toss the pickles into the bowl of flour

• Dip a handful of  floured pickles into the egg/buttermilk mixture

• Place, one at a time, into the cornmeal mixture
• Seal the bag, and shake to coat

• Spread the prepared pickles on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and continue with the rest

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium/ high heat to about 350 degrees
• *If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a little piece of a pickle into the heated oil, if it immediately starts to bubble, it’s ready to fry
• Place some paper towel on a platter, and put a handful of pickles in the heated oil

• Fry for about 3 minutes, turning halfway through – or until golden brown on each side

• Remove the fried pickles with a slotted spoon, and place them on a paper towel to dry

• Allow to cool
• Serve while still warm with dipping sauce

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~Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.com