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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.
teerose731 says
Can the pickles be made in a deep fryer or is it better in a pan?
Karly says
A deep fryer would work great!
Lynnea says
Oh my goodness, you are an enabler. I like that.
Now I know what I’ll be making for my birthday this next weekend. <3 Thank you!
Gail says
This is amazing and evil all at once.
This is my go-to PMS food.
This is bad for my inner fat chick.
Multiquip Plate Compactor says
Can’t wait to try these!!!!
Kelli says
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
Shane says
Does it matter what kind of pickles. Anyone have a suggestion
Karly says
@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 says
@Karly, like what type cause I know vlasic has the crunchy dills or would it matter
Karly says
@Shane,
Oh, no. I think as long as you get dill chips you’ll be just fine!
Erin @ Making Memories says
Yowza! I would eat all 2 cups of pickles and then some! They look wonderful!
Natalie says
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.”
Meghan says
I think your purchases were very reasonable and I fully support them! Fried pickles are amazing & these look fab! Must make soon!
Tara Noland says
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 www.noshingwiththenolands.com Cheers, Tara
Kankana says
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 🙂
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
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!
Deanna B. says
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!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
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!
Joanne says
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.