Air-Fried Dill Pickles With Chipotle Dipping Sauce

Air-fried dill pickles are a classic finger food with less fat and calories than traditional fried pickles. The pickle spears are dredged in crunchy panko bread crumbs seasoned with herbs and spices. Then they are air-fried until they are golden brown with a deliciously juicy crunch and amazing crispy texture.

These air-fried pickles are served with a tangy chipotle dipping sauce with a bit of zip and smokey heat from chipotle peppers. 

We love food fried in hot grease just like everybody else, but we also know how bad it is for you to eat. That is why we love these air-fried dill pickles! They are a healthy alternative to deep-frying without sacrificing flavor. 

I have fallen head over heels in love with my air-fryer! This recipe is the first of many air-fryer recipes I hope to be able to share with you. I purchased my air-fryer (like this one: PowerXL Air Fryer) last fall and have been using it ever since. Typically I use the air-fryer once or twice a week. I’m pretty sure my regular oven is getting jealous of this new appliance, but I love how quick and easy all the dishes can be with the air-fryer.

These air-fried dill pickles are a great snack to enjoy while watching the game on tv or could be a fun appetizer at your next cookout. If you love deep-fried pickles, you will love this air-fried version even more! 

Tips for making Air-Fried Dill Pickles With Chipotle Dipping Sauce:

There are three components that make up this recipe, the pickles, the breading and the dipping sauce. Here are some tips about each.

The Pickles:

For this recipe, I used Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Pickles with Sea Salt. They didn’t pay me to say that. They have always been my favorite dill pickles and my go-to pickles and I love ’em!

The Breading: 

For Extra-Crispy pickle, spears use Panko Bread Crumbs. However, you could use plain bread crumbs if you like those better. Either way, the pickles will come out crispy and crunchy.

The Chipotle Dipping Sauce: 

You should make the dipping sauce first to allow the flavors to meld while preparing the pickles. 

To make the chipotle dipping sauce, mince the chipotle pepper up with a knife and combine all of the ingredients of the chipotle dipping sauce in a small bowl with a whisk. Place the bowl inside the refrigerator until ready to use.

We actually do not mind the little bits of chipotle pepper in the dipping sauce. However, for a smoother sauce, you can blend all of the dipping sauces in a blender or food processor, until smooth.

Don’t like spicy foods? See alternative dipping sauce suggestions below!

These pickles are so easy to make and you can whip up a batch in just minutes. Let’s make a batch!

How To Make Air-Fried Dill Pickles

Prepare the Dill Pickles For Frying:

The spears should be uniform in size so that they will cook evenly. Some of the spears in a jar of pickles can be larger than others. You should have about (10) ½-inch dill pickle spears.

Remove the pickles from the jar. Blot off the excess juice with paper towels. Cut any pickle spears in half lengthwise that are too thick and over about ½-inch thick. The spears should be uniform in size so that they will cook evenly.

Make A Breading Station:

Create a breading station for the pickles. You need three deep plates or shallow bowls.

Bowl or Plate #1: Combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, and the cayenne pepper and dried dill (if using) together in a small bowl, until combined. Make sure the seasoning doesn’t all fall to the bottom of the bowl, stir well.

Bowl or Plate #2: Filled with the flour. The flour helps the breading to stick better and it locks in moisture to protect the pickle from the high cooking heat.

Bowl or Plate #3: Filled with the beaten egg. The egg provides a sticky surface for the final coating to cling to. However, if you don’t want to use egg, other options include buttermilk or beer. 

Bread the Dill Pickle Spears:

First, dip one of the pickle spears into the flour. Flip it over a couple of times to coat well on all sides with a thin layer of flour.

Now, dip the flour-coated pickle spear into the egg; coating all sides.

Next, dip the flour and egg-coated pickle spear into the seasoned bread crumb mixture. Press the crumb mixture onto the pickle with your hand to ensure it is coated well.

Lay the breaded dill pickle spear onto the air-fryer rack or basket. Repeat this process for the rest of the pickle spears. 

Make sure the spears are spaced out equally and are not touching each other. Use a rack to make a second layer, if needed.

Air-Fry The Pickles:

Air-fry the dill pickle spears at 400 degrees F until golden brown and crispy; about 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat this process if you make more than one batch.

Serving the Air-Fried Dill Pickles:

Remove the chipotle dipping sauce from the refrigerator and give it a final stir before serving cold with the hot air-fried dill pickles.

Alternative Dipping Sauces

Not everyone likes spicy food. Here are some alternative dipping sauces to serve with the pickles:

• Horseradish White Barbecue Sauce
• Beer Horseradish Cheese Sauce
• Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
• Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
• BBQ Ranch Dressing
• Homemade Ranch Dressing

I hope to bring you more air-fryer recipes in the future. If you try this recipe and love it please let us know by commenting and leaving a star-rating below.