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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.
Fried 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
Instructions
- 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.
Melissa says
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.
Jenny Ramsey says
they sell cookie butter at walmart near the honey. 🙂
Riley says
Fried pickles are one of my favorite things ever! I love this spicy ranch sauce, it looks great!
Dianna @ Dianna's Kitchen says
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.
Rebecca says
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 says
@Rebecca,
He was just joking around. 🙂
Rebecca says
@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.
Jennifer H says
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!!
Jocelyn says
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!!!
Melissa says
Ehrmagherd.
Anina @ Aninas Recipes says
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 says
@Anina @ Aninas Recipes,
I will OWN that candy eating contest. 😉
And, seriously, make these immediately.
Mike says
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.
Darlene says
OH.MY.STARS! I do believe these will be on my agenda today! I have been so hungry for some!
Cookbook Queen says
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.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
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.
DessertForTwo says
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!
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Oh yes, it’s all about the pickle to batter ratio.
And that cashier needs a fist in her face. Preferably my fist.