Crispy, cheesy, savory, and loaded with flavor β these Cheesy Bacon Fried Pickles bring together crunchy dill pickles, smoky bacon, and melty cheddar for an irresistible treat perfect for any gathering.
π Recipe Card:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: Approximately 300 kcal per serving
Dietary Tags: Comfort Food, Kid-Friendly, Party Snack
π Ingredients:
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1 jar (16 oz) dill pickle spears, drained and patted dry
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8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 eggs, beaten
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1 cup breadcrumbs
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1 teaspoon paprika
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Oil for frying (vegetable or canola recommended)
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Ranch dressing for dipping
π³ Instructions:
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Lay the pickle spears out on a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. (This helps the coating stick better!)
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In a small bowl, mix the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese together.
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Place a generous spoonful of the bacon-cheese mixture on top of each pickle spear and wrap tightly.
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Set up your breading station:
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Bowl 1: Flour + paprika
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Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
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Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs
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Roll each stuffed pickle first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
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Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy skillet to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
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Fry the pickles in small batches for 3β4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
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Use a slotted spoon to remove pickles and drain them on paper towels.
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Serve hot with ranch dressing for dipping!
π₯ Additional Notes:
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Make sure your pickles are really dry before stuffing them β it helps the cheese and bacon stay in place.
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Want extra crispy pickles? Double-dip: after breadcrumbs, back into the egg and breadcrumbs again!
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This recipe is naturally kid-approved and makes an amazing party snack.
π₯ Brief Introduction:
Sometimes you just need a snack thatβs unapologetically fun and outrageously tasty β and thatβs where these Cheesy Bacon Fried Pickles come in! π§π₯ With tangy pickles, savory bacon, gooey cheese, and a crispy golden crust, this recipe is pure comfort food with a playful twist.
Perfect for game days, casual get-togethers, or even a late-night craving fix. Trust me β once you pop one, you wonβt be able to stop!
π Table of Contents:
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Quick Look at the Recipe
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Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
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Ingredient Details & Substitution Tips
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Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions
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Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
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Nutrition Info
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FAQs
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Personal Story
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More Snack Ideas
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Call to Action
β¨ Quick Look at the Recipe:
Kristyβs POV:
I still remember the first time I made these for a Friday night movie marathon β my kids devoured them before the opening credits rolled! They’re crispy, cheesy, salty, and just downright addictive. And bonus? Theyβre crazy easy to whip up with simple pantry ingredients!
π₯ Step-by-Step Cooking Guide:
Preparing the Pickles:
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Pat the pickles dry: This is key! Moisture will ruin that crispy coating.
Stuffing with Bacon and Cheese:
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Generously spoon bacon and cheddar onto each spear.
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Wrap tightly β squish the mixture on if needed!
Tip: If your cheese is falling off, pop the wrapped pickles into the freezer for 10 minutes before breading.
Breading Process:
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Roll each pickle in flour + paprika, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat in breadcrumbs.
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Pro Tip: For extra crunch, double coat with egg + breadcrumbs.
Frying:
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Heat your oil to 375Β°F.
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Fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady.
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Turn occasionally for even golden perfection!
π§ Ingredient Details and Substitution Tips:
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Pickles: Dill spears work best β look for ones that arenβt too thick!
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Bacon: Use crispy-cooked bacon for that perfect crumbly texture.
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Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings the most flavor, but pepper jack or mozzarella would also be delicious.
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Flour: All-purpose is perfect; gluten-free flour blends work too.
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Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs make them extra crunchy.
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Paprika: Adds subtle smokiness; you can swap for cayenne if you like a spicy kick!
π΄ Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions:
Flavor Variations:
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Spicy Version: Add 1 tsp cayenne pepper to your flour mix.
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BBQ Twist: Swap ranch for a smoky BBQ dipping sauce.
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Loaded Version: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the finished pickles!
Dietary Variations:
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Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and GF breadcrumbs.
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Vegetarian: Use meatless bacon crumbles β trust me, they work!
Serving Ideas:
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Pair with ice-cold beers or fizzy lemon sodas for ultimate party vibes!
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Create a fried pickle platter with different dipping sauces: spicy ranch, honey mustard, or garlic aioli.
π§ Storage and Make-Ahead Information:
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Storage: Cool leftovers completely, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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Freezing: Not recommended β theyβll lose their crunch!
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Reheating: Re-crisp in a 400Β°F oven for 5β7 minutes or in an air fryer.
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Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble and bread the pickles a few hours ahead β just keep them refrigerated until frying time!
π₯ Nutrition Info (Per Serving):
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Calories: ~300 kcal
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Protein: 10g
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Carbs: 20g
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Fat: 22g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sodium: 800mg
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Allergens: Contains dairy, eggs, gluten.
β Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes! Spray them with cooking spray and bake at 425Β°F for 15β18 minutes until crispy.
Q: Can I air fry these?
A: Absolutely β air fry at 400Β°F for 8β10 minutes, shaking halfway through!
Q: Whatβs the best oil for frying?
A: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like canola or vegetable oil.
Q: My coating falls off β help!
A: Make sure pickles are super dry before breading, and chill breaded pickles briefly before frying.
π§‘ Personal Story:
These cheesy bacon fried pickles have become a family favorite in the Cook household. I made them for a last-minute backyard BBQ, and now my kids beg for them whenever we have friends over. It’s the perfect way to bring a little fun (and a lot of crunch) to any party table! π
π’ Call-to-Action:
Have you tried these Cheesy Bacon Fried Pickles yet?!
Iβd love to hear what you think!Β
Leave a comment below, share your snack creations on Instagram, and donβt forget to tag me @KristyCooksW-W β let’s spread the cheesy, crunchy love!