Fried Pickles Recipe

This nearly iconic recipe comes as close as possible to replicating Texas Roadhouse's famous fried pickles.

• Level: Easy
• Yield: 4 servings
• Nutritional Information per Serving (1 of 4 servings): Calories 173, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Carbohydrates 16 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, Protein 2 g, Cholesterol 6 mg, Sodium 749 mg
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Active Time: 25 minutes

Almost-Iconic Fried Pickles

According to popular lore, the inspiration for these fried pickles began when a manager's wife at a Texas Roadhouse location in Colorado got a craving. The response from the kitchen was so well received that the dish was quickly adopted across all Texas Roadhouse locations. Recipe Iseasy Kitchen has recreated this recipe so you can enjoy these crispy delights at home whenever you wish.

How to Perfectly Make Fried Pickles

You don't require a deep fryer to create fried pickles that will impress everyone. Here's what you should know:

• Begin by preparing the dipping sauce. Since fried pickles are best served hot, have the sauce ready before frying.
• Slice the pickles evenly, ideally about 1/4-inch thick if starting from whole pickles. This thickness balances the pickle-to-batter ratio and ensures even frying.
• Dry the pickle slices thoroughly. Blot them with paper towels to eliminate extra moisture, which helps the batter stick better and keeps the pickles crispy.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain the oil temperature. The temperature will drop when adding pickles, but it must stay near 375F for the best crunchiness. Monitor the temperature and adjust heat accordingly, avoiding placing the thermometer in the hottest parts of the pot.

Recommended Accompaniments for Fried Pickles

The Cajun-seasoned dipping sauce provided below is a favorite pairing, but ranch dressingeither store-bought or homemadeis a great alternative. Serve fried pickles as an appetizer or side alongside dishes like barbecued chicken or cheeseburgers.

Air Fryer Variation of Fried Pickles

You can also prepare fried pickles using an air fryer with slight adjustments to the ingredients and steps. Our air fryer variation employs panko breadcrumbs, which help the batter cling tightly to the pickle slices, giving a crispy texture.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon drained horseradish
• 2 teaspoons ketchup
• 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

For the Pickles:

• Peanut or vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups sliced dill pickles, drained

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce: Combine mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and set it aside.
2. Fry the pickles: Heat about 1 inch of peanut oil in a pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 375F. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup water in a large bowl until smooth. Pat dry the pickles on paper towels.
3. Add half the pickles to the batter, tossing to coat evenly. Using a slotted spoon, remove excess batter and add pickle slices one at a time into the hot oil. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
4. Return oil temperature to 375F before frying the remaining pickles with the rest of the batter.
5. Serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.

Photograph by Kang Kim

Courtesy of Recipe Iseasy Magazine