Fried Pickles with Spicy Ranch
 |
So, I went to Trader Joe’s over the weekend. That might not be exciting for all of you fancy people who live around a TJ’s, but for me it’s big news. The closest TJ’s is three hours away, so trips there are sacred.
I like to stock up on all of my favorites, since I only go a few times a year. That’s completely reasonable. Stocking up on things is what grown ups do.
I bought 4 pounds of dark chocolate peanut butter cups, a pound of caramel candies, 2 jars of their salted caramel, and a jar of cookie butter. Again, reasonable. I was being grown up.
Do you know what the cashier said to me as I was paying?
“Are you having a candy eating contest today?”
The shame. It cripples me.
Let’s not talk about that anymore. Let’s talk about my deep fried pickles instead.
Have you guys ever had fried pickles? The first time I tried them they were the pickle spears and they were not so good. The pickle to batter ratio was way off, in my opinion. You really want to fry the pickle chips instead. Maximum batter coverage is the way to go when it comes to fried pickles. I also like them nice and salty. You might cut down on the salt in the batter if you don’t like your fried foods to be salty. You can always salt them as they come out of the oil if you change your mind.
I keep things simple and just mix together some flour, milk, pickle juice, and a bit of seasoning. These are seriously as easy as can be. And when they’re dipped in spicy ranch? Holy heck, you guys.
Print
SaveFried Pickles with Spicy Ranch
Ingredients:
For the pickles:
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup pickle juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
dill pickle chips, as many as you'll eat (the batter will cover a cup or two worth of pickles)
For the Spicy Ranch:
1/4 cup bottled Ranch dressing
2 teaspoons Frank's Hot Sauce (or any hot sauce you prefer), more or less to taste
Directions:
Add a couple of inches of oil to a deep skillet set over medium heat. Bring to 375 degrees.
While the oil is heating, combine the flour, milk, pickle juice, paprika, and salt in a shallow dish, such as a pie plate. Mix until well combined.
Drop the pickles in the batter and stir them around until completely coated.
When the oil is hot, drop pickles one by one into the oil. Do not over crowd the pan. Flip the pickles over after about 1 minute and continue cooking another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the batter is golden and crunchy.
Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
To make the Spicy Ranch:
Combine the ranch dressing and hot sauce in a small bowl. Add more or less hot sauce to taste.
|
Oh yes, it’s all about the pickle to batter ratio.
And that cashier needs a fist in her face. Preferably my fist.
This is my death bed meal!
I have to drive 2 hours to a TJ and my trips are sacred, too. Last time, I bought 3 jars of coconut oil, 3 jars of almond butter and SO much caramel candy. It was heavenly!
I friggin’ love pickles and fried pickles were a dream come true to my mouthhole when I had them a couple years ago. SO awesome. And how dare that TJ’s cashier sass you like that? Does she KNOW what you’re capable of? Ugh.
Oh NO SHE DIDN’T!!!
I hate when cashiers have opinions, seriously.
Also…fried pickles are my dream food. Will you bring me some? I AM six months pregnant, not to put a guilt trip on you or anything.
OH.MY.STARS! I do believe these will be on my agenda today! I have been so hungry for some!
I’ve had some bad experiences w/ checkers lately, so I can identify. You could let them know, as I sometimes do (if they’re rude enough), that while their boss might sign their paycheck, YOU pay their wages.
Wow, really and honestly – the first time I am seeing fried pickles! I can imagine it taste flippen gorgeous! Oh and ps: good luck with that candy eating contest! : ) !
Karly — August 28th, 2012 @ 11:38 am
@Anina @ Aninas Recipes,
I will OWN that candy eating contest.
And, seriously, make these immediately.
Cashiers just need to mind their own business…who cares if you have a basket load full of sugary goodness:-) Now fried pickles are a weakness of mine…but I have actually never tried to make my own. I must remedy that soon!!!
Ehrmagherd.
Don’t worry, I do the same thing when I go to TJ’s..I can’t resist the candy:)
Can’t wait to try our own fried pickles. They are always so yummy!!
I’ll tell you , I think that cashier was way out of line for saying that. It’s just rude and you have much more self-control than I do because I would have said something nasty in return.
Karly — August 28th, 2012 @ 11:38 am
@Rebecca,
He was just joking around.
Rebecca — August 28th, 2012 @ 11:55 am
@Karly, I’ll take your word for it. You’d be surprised how often cashiers, and other people in line, think it’s ok to comment on what you’re buying. Mean people suck.
Fried pickles are one of my favorite things ever! I love this spicy ranch sauce, it looks great!
I’ve never had fried pickles. We don’t have that around here. Actually I only heard of it for the first time a few months ago. They were mentioned in a novel I was reading, and right away I had to google it to find out more. Sadly, I have still to get around to making fried pickles. But I do look forward to it. Your recipe looks nice and simple.
they sell cookie butter at walmart near the honey.
What is cookie butter? And fried pickles are fabulous! I don’t want to know how to make them, because that would be very,very bad. Good thing there is a drive through restaurant down the street that sells delicious fried pickles.
I do the same thing at TJ’s also! Except…the closest one to me is twenty minutes away. It’s a problem. I can’t believe I’ve never had deep fried pickles! They sound perfect.
I would come for your candy eating contest! Love TJ’s…I have one around the corner but I try not to go too often. I end up with such random stuff because I always go when I’m hungry!
I live in cedar rapids and drive out to Des Moines every couple months to go to TJs!!! (and now there’s a whole foods there too!) so I totally get it. I even have a list of things I always pick up when I’m there , which you just added too. Ha!
Karly! I feel so sad that you live so far away from a TJs!! I’m glad you take full advantage when you do get the chance to go. I stock up every week.
I’ve NEVER had a fried pickle before. Which is odd considering any sandwich I order must be accompanied with EXTRA pickles. I love them! I don’t even like plain ranch dressing but I would dive my fried pickles right in a spicy variety!
I know exactly how to finish that jar of pickle now that I am getting tired of eating. This would be my friday night snack bite .. yes
Ps: Ignore the cashier .. you like chocolate .. so you picked chocolate
Wow, these look so good and I have wanted to try something like this for awhile now. I am going to add this to my Mouth Watering Mondays post this Monday. Come on by to see it at http://www.noshingwiththenolands.com Cheers, Tara
I think your purchases were very reasonable and I fully support them! Fried pickles are amazing & these look fab! Must make soon!
Oh, there are so many things about this post that I love. I had my first fried pickles when I was 11, visiting my mom’s family in Louisiana. My second fried pickle was last summer at this huge rib cookoff (like serious int’l competitive BBQing) here in Reno. Now that I know I can have them at least once a year I’m OK with not making them at home
I love how your batter looks!
I’m one of those lucky ones who has a TJ’s close by. Nice choices, my dear. I’m also in love with their salted caramel sauce. The next time you go, get their dark chocolate covered pretzel thins. You might need several dozen bags, though. It’s easy to inhale the whole bag in one sitting.
To that cashier…. you should have said, “Yes.”
Yowza! I would eat all 2 cups of pickles and then some! They look wonderful!
Does it matter what kind of pickles. Anyone have a suggestion
Karly — September 7th, 2012 @ 2:04 pm
@Shane,
Do you mean what brand or what type? I would recommend dill pickles. As for the brand, I think any that you normally eat would be fine. I use Mt. Olive 90% of the time, but Vlasic are good, too.
Shane — September 7th, 2012 @ 2:08 pm
@Karly, like what type cause I know vlasic has the crunchy dills or would it matter
Karly — September 7th, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
@Shane,
Oh, no. I think as long as you get dill chips you’ll be just fine!
oh my goodness. i made these the other day and they were.. amazing!!! i added a little more paprika and a little more other seasoning just bc i like a stronger flavor.. and they were heavenly!!! ive looked everywhere for a great recipe and this is definitely the best! love em
Can’t wait to try these!!!!
This is amazing and evil all at once.
This is my go-to PMS food.
This is bad for my inner fat chick.