Fried Cucumbers

Fried Cucumbers

 

Introduction
Fried pickles are a popular appetizer that originated in the southern United States. They are made by coating pickle slices in a seasoned breading and then frying them until they are crispy and golden brown. In this post, we'll go over step-by-step instructions on how to make fried pickles at home, as well as some tips and tricks to help you get the perfect result every time.

Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make fried pickles:

- 1 jar of dill pickle slices
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)

 

Instructions

1. Drain the pickles: Open the jar of pickle slices and drain them in a colander. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This is an important step to ensure the breading sticks to the pickles.

2. Set up the breading station: In three separate shallow bowls, prepare the breading station. In the first bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. In the second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.

3. Coat the pickles: Dip each pickle slice into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs onto the pickle to make sure they stick.

4. Fry the pickles: Heat the oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Fry the pickles in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook them for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.

5. Serve and enjoy: Serve the fried pickles hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Ranch dressing, chipotle mayo, or honey mustard are all great options.

 

Tips and Tricks

- Make sure the oil is hot enough: If the oil is not hot enough, the pickles will absorb too much oil and become greasy. Use a thermometer to check the oil temperature and make sure it's at 375°F (190°C) before frying.
- Use panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, making them perfect for fried pickles.
- Don't overcrowd the pot: If you fry too many pickles at once, the temperature of the oil will drop, and the pickles won't cook evenly. Fry them in small batches to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.
- Add extra seasoning: If you want to add more flavor to your fried pickles, try adding some additional seasoning to the breading mixture. Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, or chili powder are all great options.