Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites pair tangy dill pickles with gooey cheese and a golden, crunchy coating. They cook fast and deliver a satisfying contrast of bright pickle bite and rich, melty cheese. These little bites work as an easy appetizer, a party snack, or a fun bar-style nibble at home. They smell savory and toasty while frying, and the texture is crisp outside, creamy inside.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4 (about 3–4 bites per person as an appetizer)
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: ~300 kcal
- Protein: ~11 g
- Carbohydrates: ~23 g
- Fat: ~19 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Sugar: ~2 g
- Sodium: ~570 mg
Why Make This Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
This recipe is fast, fun, and full of contrast. The sharp tang of dill pickles brightens the rich, melted cheese. Breadcrumbs fry up golden and crunchy, giving a satisfying snap with each bite. You can make them in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. They are a crowd-pleaser for game day, potlucks, or a quick snack when you want something playful and indulgent.
How to Make Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
Below are simple steps to turn pickle slices and cheese into crunchy little bites. Work on a plate for breading, keep oil hot but not smoking, and fry until a deep golden color for the best texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dill pickle slices
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Begin by draining the pickles and patting them dry with paper towels. Make sure slices are as dry as possible so the coating sticks. If slices are large, consider halving them.
Step 2: Mixing
In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt and a little pepper. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the flour until smooth and slightly thickened. Stir the shredded cheese into the breadcrumb mixture so each bite will have cheesy pockets.
Step 3: Coating
Dip each pickle slice into the egg-flour mixture, letting excess drip off. Press the slice into the breadcrumb-cheese mix, coating both sides well. For a thicker coating, repeat the egg dip and breadcrumb step for a double crust.
Step 4: Cooking
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, place coated pickle bites in a single layer without crowding the pan. Fry until golden brown on each side, about 2–3 minutes per side. Adjust heat as needed so they brown but do not burn.
Step 5: Draining
Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them rest for a minute to let the cheese set slightly so it won’t ooze out when you bite.
Step 6: Serving
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce. A creamy ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or honey mustard pairs well.
How to Serve Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
Serve them hot so the cheese is melty and the crust is crisp. Arrange on a platter with toothpicks and a few dipping sauces: ranch, blue cheese, or a smoky BBQ sauce. Add fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley for color. For a party spread, place alongside sliced veggies and pretzels.
How to Store Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Short term: Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes until crisp. Avoid microwaving; it makes the crust soggy.
- Freezing: You can freeze unbaked, breaded bites on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Fry from frozen, adding a minute or two per side.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Dry pickles well: Excess moisture prevents the coating from sticking. Pat with paper towels and let sit briefly to drain.
- Double-coat for extra crunch: Dip in egg twice and coat with breadcrumbs twice for a thicker, crispier shell.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier texture.
- Control oil temperature: Keep oil around medium heat. If it’s too cool, bites absorb oil; too hot and outside burns before cheese melts.
- Chill briefly before frying: Let coated bites rest 5–10 minutes in the fridge to help the crust set and stay intact.
- Cheese choice: Cheddar gives sharp flavor; mozzarella gives gooey stretch. Mix both for flavor and melt.
- Avoid overfilling: Too much cheese makes coating fall apart while frying.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add cayenne or chili powder to the breadcrumb mix and swap sriracha mayo for dipping.
- Bacon & Cheese: Chop cooked bacon and mix into the breadcrumbs for smoky crunch.
- Herby Crunch: Add dried oregano and garlic powder to the crumbs for Italian-style flavor.
- Baked Version: Spray bites with oil and bake on a sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 8–12 minutes, flipping once, until golden.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers and gluten-free flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes. Place coated bites on a parchment-lined sheet, spray with oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 8–12 minutes, flipping once. Baking yields a lighter, less greasy bite but may be less crisp than frying.
Q: What cheese works best?
A: Cheddar delivers bold flavor. Mozzarella melts very well and gives stretch. A blend of both balances flavor and melt. Avoid very soft cheeses that won’t hold during frying.
Q: Will the cheese leak out while frying?
A: If bites are properly coated and the oil is at medium heat, leak is minimal. Double-coat and chill coated bites 5–10 minutes before frying to reduce leakage.
Q: How do I prevent soggy bites?
A: Dry the pickles well. Keep oil hot enough so coating seals quickly. Drain on paper towels and reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
Q: Are these safe to make ahead?
A: You can bread them ahead and keep them refrigerated for a few hours or freeze unbaked for up to a month. Fry or bake from chilled/frozen for best texture.
Q: Can I use whole pickles or spears?
A: Yes. Adjust frying time for thicker pieces. Spears take longer to crisp and heat through.
Q: How much dipping sauce should I serve per person?
A: Offer small ramekins with 2–3 tablespoons of sauce per person for snacking, and more if guests like dipping.
Conclusion
These Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites are a quick, fun snack with bright pickle tang, melty cheese, and a crunchy golden crust. They come together fast, make a great party finger food, and adapt easily to different cheeses or spice levels. If you enjoy creative pickle-and-cheese combos, try a similar simple idea like Cheese Pickle Chips (2 Ingredients!) | Babaganosh for another crunchy, cheesy snack. Give this recipe a try — warm, crisp bites with cool, tangy pickles are hard to resist. Enjoy!
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Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Satisfying crispy bites with tangy dill pickles and gooey cheese, perfect for appetizers or parties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dill pickle slices
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Begin by draining the pickles and patting them dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the egg with the flour until smooth, then stir in the cheese.
- Coat each pickle slice in the egg-flour mixture, then dip into the breadcrumb mixture to coat well.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the coated pickle bites until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Double-coat for extra crunch and dry the pickles well to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 bites
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
