Air Fryer Fried Pickles Texas Roadhouse

Air fryer fried pickles are the bomb! Paired with dill dip they’re the best low carb crunchy snack or appetizer you will ever try. These Texas Roadhouse copycat pickles made in your Cosori or Ninja Foodi are truly addicting! 

You MUST try these air fryer fried pickles!! Maybe you’ve tried them at Texas Roadhouse and know how incredible they are. This is a great low carb fried pickles air fryer recipe you can make at home. (originally published 6/19, affiliate links present)

Air Fryer Fried Pickles with Panko

I was a bit skeptical myself and didn’t try these until I took a trip to Florida for my cousin’s wedding. Having dinner with my relatives, we saw this air fryer appetizer on the menu and thought we’d order some to share. Now I make Ninja foodi pickles at home.

You can use them as a fun appetizer or side dish with other finger foods like dry rub air fryer wings for dinner. I’ve used Italian as well as Panko breadcrumbs to make the breading that will make them crunch crunch crunch.

Ninja Foodi Fried Pickles

We’ve created a lot of air fryer recipes but these get an “OH MY” from everyone who tries them. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make fried pickles. You could use bread and butter style I suppose but dill is where it is at. Think of it like green bean fries where you would enjoy them as a sort of side dish with dinner or snack.

Air Fryer Pickles with Pork Rinds

Just start with a small bowl, paper towels, and this simple coconut flour mixture. You’ll need an electric air fryer too of course. Any brand will do. You don’t need a huge jug of oil though this time. If you deep fried them you would which means a lot of added money for that ingredient and fat content too.

You can use a number of things crushed into small pieces for your crunch. Really any chips or even crackers work. Most use bread crumbs but that can be boring so we used these!! OMG were they the right choice.

What is fried pickle batter made of?

You can do what you would do to make fried chicken with just a dip into whisked egg, then into flour and rolled into breadcrumbs but since we want them extra crunchy we are going to use chips instead!!

1. Actually Pork rinds are best, Panko or Italian breadcrumbs could be used
2. Coconut flour or other flour substitute
3. Eggs
4. Pickles
   1. We used spears, this is how to make pickles at home
   2. You could use slices
   3. Refrigerated Claussen are better than those stored and sold on a shelf, they’re crispier

How do you keep batter from falling off pickles?

In order to keep the flour and pork rinds or Panko bread crumbs from sticking you do want to dry your star ingredient at the very beginning, that is key!! To do this just set them on paper towels and gently roll them up so the moisture is absorbed. Any water or brine will make anything else slide right off.

Dill dip ingredients we used and make include:

• Sour cream
• Dill
• Vinegar
  • Or use pickle juice
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

You could use ranch dressing or fry sauce as a dipping sauce too. OR just enjoy them as is, I mean they have a ton of flavor without anything, especially if you amp up the dredging.

How to Make Air Fryer Fried Pickles without Eggs

There are several sizes and ways to prepare your pickles. If you have an allergy and cannot use eggs you could use other breading without eggs alternatives. The best for this one in particular would be a quick brush with mayonnaise since it is a savory dis.

• 1 – Buy whole pickles and slice them yourself for a crisper outcome.
  • If you use already sliced pickle spears just note there is a difference. The latter will save time though.
• 2 – Make this with dill pickles vs. sweet, that’s our preference.
  • The thicker the spears the better. Timing may vary a bit if you use slices instead since they are smaller.
• 3 – Buy jars that are sold cold in the store, near the deli meats. I prefer this because the pickles will be a bit firmer to start with.
  • They are just a bit more expensive but SO worth it in the end. 

These taste like deep fried pickles but way healthier with NO oil required. The biggest tip is you need to really pat dry the dill pickle slices or dials with paper towels. Removing the moisture is vital to getting the breading to stick.

Why are Claussen pickles refrigerated?

I prefer Claussen pickles personally, they have a great texture. You can find them near the lunch meat in the fridge section of your grocery store.

• They are not pasteurized, nor are they heat processed like pickles on non-refrigerated shelves.
• Slightly more expensive they are well worth it!
• They’re also Kosher if that is important to you.

I kid you not, you won’t know these weren’t fried. They come out just as crunchy and crispy as if they were. BUT you won’t get that oily aftertaste or extra fat content.

How do you make Healthy Fried Pickles

Like I said, we used our Ninja Foodi to make our air fryer pickles. BUT if you have an Instant Pot you can buy their new air fryer lid and make them with that too! Using the air fryer is where it is at because you only need a light spray of oil vs. submerging and sucking all of that up. Same goes for Air fryer fried chicken. Looking for other easy air fryer recipes?

These are great with a meal too if you want to go meat free and just fun, serve with sweet potatoes in the air fryer too.

1. Our easy air fryer wings recipe has a dry rub and needs NO sauce they’re so good.
2. Eggs rolls are always a yummy appetizer.
3. We have lots of other Ninja Foodi air fryer recipes we have those too.

Tater tots in an air fryer are fun and super crunchy too. If you’re new to using an air fryer you will surely get addicted like I have! I love it because I don’t have to turn on the oven when it is HOT during the summertime.

Ninja Foodi Fried Pickles

It also gets foods much crispier than the “traditional” method of throwing it on a sheet pan. Food gets super crispy in no time at all and it’s a lot healthier than frying for sure. After this try our air fryer dinner recipes!

• Slice pickle spears in half lengthwise and pat the pickle really well with paper towels to dry them off. In a bowl whisk eggs. In another bowl combine flour with any seasonings you want.
• Use food processor or put in baggie and use rolling pin to crush pork rinds into fine crumbs. Add this to a 3rd bowl.
• Dip pickle in flour, then dredge in egg mixture, then cover in pork rinds. Spray inside of preheated air fryer basket with non stick spray.
• Lay coated pickle spears in air fryer basket in a single layer making sure to not overlap them. Cook at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.

Now whisk together ingredients for dipping sauce in a bowl so that will be ready. Take out or check and see if you want them crunchier when time is up. Dip in sauce and enjoy! Here’s a printable recipe card for you to keep hand, or just come back when you want to make them again. 😉