Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance in recent years due to their ability to make fried foods with significantly less oil than traditional frying. Many people use air fryers to make healthy versions of typically oil-laden foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more. But what happens if you try to “air fry” foods that aren’t typically fried, like pickles?
Can you put pickles in an air fryer?
The short answer is yes, you can put whole pickles in an air fryer. Air fryers work by circulating extremely hot air around food at high speeds, so they will heat and cook most foods you put in them. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get good results from air frying foods like pickles that aren’t normally fried.
Pickles contain a high amount of moisture and will likely not get crispy or develop an appealing texture when air fried. The high heat of the air fryer will also likely overcook the pickles and dry them out. But you can experiment and see what happens – some people report decent outcomes when air frying pickle chips or spears for a very brief time, just 1-2 minutes. Expect the pickles to soften and warm, but not achieve any crispiness.
What temperature should I use to air fry pickles?
Most air fryer recipes call for cooking temperatures between 350-400°F. When experimenting with air frying pickles, start on the lower end of that temperature range. Around 350°F will be hot enough to warm and slightly cook the pickles without overdrying them.
Higher temperatures above 375°F may cause the pickles to lose moisture too quickly before they have a chance to heat through. For comparison, deep frying pickles would be done at temperatures between 350-375°F.
How long should I air fry pickles?
Only air fry pickles for a very brief time, around just 1-3 minutes max. Leaving them in longer than that will likely lead to shriveling and overcooking.
For pickle chips or spears, aim for just 1-2 minutes in the air fryer. You may need up to 3 minutes for whole large pickles. Check frequently and remove the pickles as soon as they have just warmed and softened slightly.
Keep in mind that the longer pickles cook, the more moisture they will release into the air fryer. You may end up with a pool of pickle juice at the bottom of the basket if you air fry them too long.
Should I air fry pickled vegetables other than cucumbers?
The high moisture content in any pickled vegetables could make getting crispy results difficult. However, some people have had success briefly air frying small pieces or chips of vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and okra. The denseness of these vegetables may allow them to better withstand the air fryer without becoming mushy.
If experimenting with other pickled veggies, again use a lower temp around 325°F and watch cooking time closely. Aim for just 1-3 minutes to gently warm them and enhance flavors.
Tips for air frying pickles
Here are some top tips to follow if you want to experiment with air frying pickles:
- Pat pickles dry before air frying to remove excess brine moisture
- Cut pickles into thin chips or spears rather than air frying whole
- Use a light coating of oil or spray to help crispness
- Only air fry 1-3 minutes max at around 350°F
- Frequently check and shake basket to prevent sticking
- Immediately remove when warmed through before overcooking
How to make fried pickles in an air fryer
For the best chance of getting something resembling “fried” pickles from an air fryer, you’ll need to bread them first. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients:
- Pickles sliced into 1⁄4 inch chips or spears, patted very dry
- 1 egg beaten with 2 tbsp water
- 1⁄2 cup flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1⁄2 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions:
- Pat pickle chips/spears completely dry with paper towels
- Dip into egg wash, then dredge in flour mixture
- Dip back into egg wash, then coat with panko crumbs
- Mist or brush lightly with olive oil
- Air fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown
- Remove promptly and drain on paper towels
- Season with salt and serve hot
The coating and quick cooking time will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the pickles tender inside. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
Results of air frying pickles
When air frying plain whole pickles, the results may be underwhelming. Expect the pickles to warm through with a slightly softer, almost wilted texture. They will not achieve any crispy fried texture.
Breaded pickle chips and spears will develop a crisper exterior, but the interior will still be tender and not quite as crisp as deep fried pickles. The flavor can improve and become more concentrated.
You may notice some additional moisture released from the pickles during air frying. The high heat drives out some of the brine, which you’ll find collected in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Be sure to dispose of this liquid promptly after cooking.
Overall, air frying will not replicate the same crispy-crunchy fried pickle experience as deep frying. But it can be a tasty method if you use brief cook times. The texture remains pleasantly tender, while the vinegar brininess intensifies. Enjoy air fried pickles within minutes of cooking for the best flavor and texture.
Other ways to cook pickles besides air frying
If you find air frying pickles doesn’t quite achieve the texture you’re looking for, here are some other cooking methods to consider:
1. Deep fry
Deep frying is the go-to cooking method for getting super crispy, crunchy fried pickles with a blistered exterior. Use a high heat oil like peanut or vegetable oil. Fry breaded pickle chips or spears for 1-2 minutes until golden and crispy.
2. Pan fry
You can pan fry breaded pickle chips, spears, or pops with just a small amount of oil in a skillet. Use medium-high heat. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side until crispy and browned. Drain on paper towels.
3. Bake
For a lower-fat option, try baking breaded pickle chips at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush lightly with oil for crispiness. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
4. Grill
Grilling pickles over high heat can effectively evaporate some moisture and concentrate flavor. Grill whole pickles on skewers or slit lengthwise 2-3 minutes per side. Or grill breaded pickle slices for just 1-2 minutes per side.
Can you put pickles in a regular oven?
It’s absolutely possible to cook pickles in a regular oven! Here are some tasty ways to prepare oven-baked pickles:
Baked Pickle Chips
Cut pickles into 1/4-inch slices and pat dry. Dredge in flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs. Mist with oil and bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until browned and crisp.
Roasted Pickles
Toss halved pickles in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but still crisp-tender.
Pickle Gratin
Layer pickles in a baking dish with cheese, bacon, spices, etc. Top with breadcrumbs. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and browned.
Nutrition of cooked pickles
Raw pickles are very low in calories and fat and provide a decent amount of sodium, vitamin K, and some probiotics from the fermentation process. Cooking pickles can alter their nutrition profile in a few key ways:
- May decrease probiotics – High heat can kill off beneficial bacteria from fermentation.
- Can increase sodium – Cooking concentrates flavors like salt.
- Adds fat if cooked in oil – Fried pickles absorb more fat from frying oil.
- May decrease vitamin K – Heat can destroy some vitamin K.
Overall, baked or air fried pickles are still relatively low in calories and fat compared to deep fried. Enjoy cooked pickles in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
Air frying pickles is possible, but unlikely to produce crispy, crunchy “fried” pickles. The results will be softer, warmer pickles, but air frying does intensify their flavor. For the best texture, coat pickle chips in a breading before air frying. Or consider other cooking methods like baking, grilling or pan frying. While cooked pickles lose some nutrition compared to raw, they can still be a tasty low-calorie snack or topping when prepared properly.
