Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fried Pickles (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

The ultimate crispy, tangy snack! Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fried Pickles! This healthy version of the classic deep-fried Southern recipe is vegan, egg-free, allergy-free, & made without oil! Your favorite festival food, homemade, & served with a creamy ketchup dipping sauce! These pickle chips are a quick & easy appetizer everyone will love!

Guys! You knew it was coming. If it’s fried, you can AIR fry it instead! Healthy fried pickles, no deep-frying, no eggs, no gluten, no oil at all! Bring the festival/state fair food home and make it from scratch with this super easy (and quick) recipe! Serve them as a snack or appetizer while you dip them in a super simple creamy ketchup-y dressing that goes so well with the crisp and tang of the dill pickles!

What Are Fried Pickles?

If you’re new here, let’s start off with the basics (caveat, I never had fried pickles before this either). Fried pickles are a deep-fried snack or appetizer that originated in the Southern U.S during the 1960s. The first known recipe printed in the Oakland Tribune used sweet pickles and pancake batter (French Fried Pickles), but later was popularized by Bernell “Fatman” Austin in 1963 and his family recipe is used once a year at the annual “Picklefest” in Atkins, Arkansas.

Since then, fried pickles have are usually found at festivals, state fairs, and now as an appetizer on restaurant menus, such as Texas Road House. They’re typically served with Ranch or a ketchup based dipping sauce (which is what I used). Like a deep-fried Oreo, it’s one of those foods you have to try once in your life. When that’s not an option for those of us with celiac disease and food allergies…we take matters into our own hands!

Ingredients You Need

This recipe is one of those recipes that SO easy and simple in terms of ingredients, but not simple in taste!

• Dill Pickle Slices
• Dijon Mustard
• Unsweetened Plain Non-Dairy Milk
• Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
• Seasonings: Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Dried Parsley

For the Creamy Ketchup Dip:

• Unsweetened Non-Dairy Yogurt OR Vegan Mayo
• Ketchup

Yes, that’s all you need! Plus…an air fryer!

Yes, Fried Pickles Can Be Healthy

Since these fried pickles are made in an air fryer, there is ZERO oil required! That basically leaves you with pickles and a light coating of gluten-free breadcrumbs. They’re pretty low-calorie, low-carb, and fat-free, depending on your dipping choice! Plus they’re tummy and allergy-friendly for all of us!

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Sugar-Free Oil-Free
• Kid-Friendly

How to Make Fried Pickles in an Air Fryer

1. Drain your pickle slices on paper towels while you prep your batter and coating stations. Place the towels on the bottom and top and let them drain off as much excess juice as possible.
2. Mix together the dijon mustard and non-dairy milk in one bowl.
3. Mix together the gluten-free breadcrumbs and seasonings (adjust these to taste!) in another bowl or plate.
4. Take each drained pickle slice and first dip it in the milk mixture, then coat in the seasoned bread crumbs.
5. Place the coated pickle slices in your air fryer, spaced out (you’ll need to do multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket, and how many pickle slices you make. I ended up doing 4 batches) Air fry the pickles at 400°F for about 7 minutes, flip them, air fry again for another 3-5 minutes until the pickle chips are crisp and golden brown.
6. To make the dipping sauce, simply mix together the yogurt (if you want the sauce more dripping and lighter)/mayo (thicker and more classic) and ketchup. Adjust the amounts to your taste preferences.

If You Don’t Have an Air Fryer

I have not tried making these in the oven, but follow the same steps to coat and bread the pickle slices. Then place them on a baking sheet to crisp up at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flip, and bake another 5-10 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Watch them carefully so the thin pickles slices don’t burn. Make sure you really pat these pickle chips dry so they don’t get soggy when baked on a flat baking sheet.

How to Serve Them

These healthy air-fried pickle chips are perfect as party food, a snack, or an appetizer! They’re definitely best served right away with crispy hot pickle chips and the cool creamy dip! They are addicting, so don’t worry about storing leftovers! If you do, store them in a container in the fridge (no longer than 2-3 days) and reheat them in your air fryer or toasted oven to revive and re-crisp them before serving!

Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fried Pickles Recipe

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Woohoo! Who is ready to bring the state fair food back home and have your own little (not)deep-fried food party? You can’t not have fun with the crispy vegan pickle chips! If this is the first time you’ll be having them, don’t be timid! You will fall in love!

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes:

• 3-Ingredient Crispy Cocoa Air Fryer Chickpeas
• Breaded Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts
• Crispy Air Fryer Potato Latkes
• Extra Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
• Healthy Air Fryer Falafel

So tell me:

+ What’s your favorite carnival/fair/festival food?

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