Fried pickle dip is the ultimate creamy, crunchy party hit! The dipping sauce (that you can make in under 20 mins) is bold, briny, packed with pickles, and topped with golden, crispy breadcrumbs. It has everything you’d want – tang, crunch, and irresistible creaminess!
This easy fried pickle recipe is one for the books that you can come back to throughout the year. Whether you're gearing up for game day, bringing a dish to a potluck, or need something snacky and satisfying, this is the dip you’ll want!
For maximum crunch, I like to serve it immediately. If you’re making the fried pickle dipping sauce ahead, keep the toasted panko separate and top it right before serving with cheese straws, crostini, carom seed cheese crackers, or as part of a cheese board!
If you love easy homemade dips, you are going to be obsessed with this!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
✨The recipe comes together super-fast, and it’s easy!
✨It tastes just like fried pickles. But better. The toasted panko on top gives the perfect crisp contrast to the creamy, tangy dip.
✨It’s a great dip for tortilla chips or sweet potato crackers and fantastic as a sauce. Plus, the dip is customizable. Use your favorite pickles and play with spices or herbs to suit your taste.
✨What I love about the fried pickle dip recipe? I can whip it up at the last minute for a summer barbeque or game day dinner, and it's always a hit!
Recipe Ingredients
Cream cheese is the creamy base that holds the dip together. Store-bought or homemade cream cheese both work as long as it’s softened, so it blends well and quickly.
Sour cream adds a tangy flavor to the deep-fried pickle dip. Use full-fat. Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream.
Pickle: Use whatever kind is your favorite. I used the classic dill pickles for that signature flavor. My advice? Pick the best quality pickle because that’s what the dip is all about. And chop them really fine!
Pickle juice is essential! It makes every bite briny and bright. Just use what’s in the bottle.
Panko is so much better than regular breadcrumbs. Toasted in butter, they mimic the crispy coating of actual fried pickles perfectly.
Herb: I used fresh green onions for more flavor. Use what you have on hand – dill or parsley - or just leave it out.
Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper are a must. I also added red chili flakes to make it spicy. That’s optional. You can skip the flakes OR amp up the heat with more.
Please see the recipe card for full information about ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Fried Pickle Dip
Step 1: Add butter and panko breadcrumbs to a saucepan.
Step 2: Cook on medium heat until golden and toasted. Keep aside to cool.
Step 3: Combine softened cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl. Mix well using an electric beater.
Step 4: Stir in the pickle juice, salt, pepper, red chili flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 5: Fold in chopped dill pickles and green onions.
Step 6: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Step 7: Transfer the pickle dip to a serving bowl and top with the toasted panko and chopped green onions. Serve with veggies and chips!
Top Tips
- Be careful while toasting the panko breadcrumbs as they can burn quickly. Keep the heat medium, and keep stirring continuously.
- Chop the pickles finely, otherwise you'll get mouthfuls of big chunky pieces!
- You can use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
- Add hot sauce or chili powder if you like a spicy fried pickle dip.
- Top the pickle dip with toasted panko just before serving to ensure they stay crunchy and crispy.
- Cream cheese and sour cream should be at room temperature so it's easier to mix them and get a smooth texture.
How To Serve
There are so many, many, many ways to enjoy this fried pickle dip sauce. My favorite is to spread it on my sandwich bread or pita bread. Use it as a dip for sweet potato fries, cheese straws, cucumber slices, carrots, or bell pepper strips. Spread it on sourdough crackers or baked mathris.
Recipe FAQs
No. Tzatziki is made with Greek yogurt, fresh dill, and cucumbers. Fried pickle dip uses pickled dill and cream cheese. They may look similar, but fried pickle sauce is bolder and brinier in taste.
Everything! You can eat it with chips, a baguette, spring rolls, chicken nuggets, air-fried pumpkin chips, or even falafel!
The dip keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just remember to sprinkle more fried panko breadcrumbs on top right before serving to keep things crunchy.
📖 Recipe
Fried Pickle Dip
Ingredients
Topping
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Butter
Dip
- 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz Sour cream
- 2 tbsp Pickle juice
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Red chili flakes
- 1 cup Dill pickles, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Green onions, finely chopped Optional
Instructions
Topping
- Add butter and panko breadcrumbs to a saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, until the breadcrumbs are golden and toasty. Keep aside to cool.1/2 cup (30 g) Panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp Butter
Fried Pickle Dip
- Combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream in a large bowl.8 oz ( 226 g) Cream cheese, softened, 8 oz (226 g) Sour cream
- Beat well with an electric beater until smooth.
- Stir in the pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, red chili flakes, and salt.2 tbsp Pickle juice, 1/2 tsp Garlic powder, 1/4 tsp Onion powder, 1/2 tsp Black pepper, 1/4 tsp Salt, 1/2 tsp Red chili flakes
- Fold in chopped pickles and green onions (if using).Taste and adjust for seasoning. 1 cup (145 g) Dill pickles, finely chopped, 2 tbsp Green onions, finely chopped
- Transfer to a serving bowl, and top with the toasted panko crumbs.
- Serve immediately with veggies, chips, crostini. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Be careful while toasting the panko breadcrumbs as they can burn quickly. Keep the heat medium, and keep stirring continuously.
- Chop the pickles finely, otherwise you'll get mouthfuls of big chunky pieces!
- You can use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
- Add hot sauce or chili powder if you like a spicier fried pickle dip.
- Top the pickle dip with toasted panko just before serving to ensure they stay crunchy and crispy.
- Cream cheese and sour cream should be at room temperature so it's easier to mix them and get a smooth texture.
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