Effortless Crispy Air Pickles (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Pickle Prep

01 - ¾ cup dry bread crumbs (like panko or similar)
02 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
03 - 2 eggs, beaten and ready
04 - 1 cup thinly-sliced pickle chips, without extra liquid
05 - 3 tablespoons of plain flour
06 - 1 tablespoon of spicy sauce (i.e., Tabasco)
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - Spray oil or a light drizzle for frying

→ Tasty Dip

09 - ¼ teaspoon fine salt
10 - A couple of tablespoons mayo
11 - One teaspoon optional dill (but works great!)
12 - Garlic, finely chopped - roughly one clove
13 - ¼ cup sour cream or similar
14 - ¼ cup diced onions - get them real tiny
15 - A shake of ground black pepper

# Instructions:

01 - Place your pickle slices on paper towels spread on a surface. Cover with some more towels and lightly press down to soak up the moisture. Let them sit for a few minutes so they dry completely—this step really makes the crunchy coating stick properly!
02 - Mix up your eggs, flour, a dash of hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a flat bowl. Whisk it hard till it’s smooth—you want this sticky enough to hold those crumbs.
03 - In a second shallow dish, pour out your breadcrumbs. Create a little system: dried pickles on one end, egg dish next, breadcrumbs after that, and finally a clean pan to rest your coated pickles.
04 - Start with one pickle slice. Dip it into the egg wash till it’s covered all over. Then toss it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs stick nicely. Lay it on the empty pan, and keep going till all your pickles are done.
05 - Warm up your air fryer to about 400°F. Once it’s ready, place your pickles inside—don’t let them stick together, give them room to crisp. Spritz with a little oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes, enough to start seeing that golden color.
06 - Pause your air fryer, flip the pickles over, and spray them lightly again. Let them cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re crispy and golden-brown all over.
07 - While the pickles are frying, combine sour cream, mayo, salt, onion bits, garlic, pepper, and a pinch of dried dill inside a mixing bowl. Stir it well. Let it rest, and the flavors will get stronger.
08 - Transfer the freshly air-fried pickles onto a serving dish alongside your creamy dipping sauce and dig right in. Warning: these disappear FAST.

# Notes:

01 - Air frying these pickles keeps the crunch without needing messy frying oil.
02 - Pat your pickles very dry first. It’s the ticket to making your breading stick like a dream.
03 - These are best eaten straight away while still sizzling. You can reheat in an air fryer for a couple of minutes—set it to around 350°F.