Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites are a fun, tangy snack with a crunchy shell and melty cheese inside. They smell savory, taste bright from the dill pickles, and have a satisfying crisp when you bite in. These bites are perfect for game day, parties, or a salty, cheesy snack at home. If you enjoy small, shareable appetizers you can also try a baked option like the baked cranberry brie bites for a different flavor and texture.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 6 (about 6–8 bites per person)
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (based on 6 servings):
- Calories per serving: 260 kcal
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fat: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
Why Make This Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
These bites combine tangy dill pickles and gooey cheese inside a crunchy breadcrumb shell. They are quick to prepare and fried to a golden brown that looks and smells irresistible. The contrast of briny pickle and melted cheese keeps every bite interesting. They work as an easy appetizer, a party finger food, or a cozy snack with a cold drink.
How to Make Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
This recipe uses simple steps: dry the pickles, stuff with cheese, bread them, and fry until crisp. Keep your workspace organized so the breading goes fast. Patting the pickles dry and chilling them briefly helps the coating stick and stay crunchy.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups dill pickles, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Pat the pickle slices dry with paper towels to remove excess brine. If slices are large, cut them into halves. If you want extra melty bites, place a small pinch of shredded cheese on one pickle slice and top with another slice to make a sandwich.
Step 2: Mixing
Set up a breading station. Put the flour in one shallow bowl and season with a little salt and pepper. Put the beaten eggs in a second bowl. Put the breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Press the cheese-stuffed pickle sandwiches lightly to help the filling stay inside.
Step 3: Cooking
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Dredge each pickle sandwich in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten egg, then coat fully with breadcrumbs. Fry the breaded pickle slices in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan. Fry until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to turn as needed for even color.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove the bites from the oil and drain on paper towels. Let them rest 1–2 minutes so the cheese sets slightly. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Serve Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
Serve warm for the best texture and melty center. Pair with ranch, spicy mayo, sriracha sauce, or a honey mustard dip. Arrange on a platter with fresh herbs for color. They make a great appetizer for game day, a fun side for burgers, or a snack at casual gatherings.
How to Store Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Short term: Place cooled bites in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes to re-crisp.
- Freezing: Freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in an air fryer or oven until hot and crisp.
Expert Tips for Perfect Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Dry the pickles well. Excess moisture makes the breading fall off.
- Chill assembled bites for 10–15 minutes before frying to help the coating stick.
- Fry in small batches. Crowding lowers oil temperature and makes them soggy.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil at 350°F (175°C) for even, quick frying.
- For less oil, try air-frying at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping once.
- Swap panko breadcrumbs for crunchier texture.
- If using very salty pickles, skip added salt in the flour.
Delicious Variations
- Cheddar & Jalapeño: Add a thin slice of jalapeño with the cheese for heat.
- Mozzarella & Italian Herbs: Use mozzarella and mix Italian seasoning into the breadcrumbs.
- Bacon-Wrapped: Wrap each pickle-cheese pair in a thin strip of precooked bacon before breading.
- Beer-Battered: Dip in a light beer batter instead of breadcrumbs for a crisp, airy shell.
- Vegan Option: Use vegan cheese and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) with seasoned panko.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes. Arrange on a greased baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway. They will be less oily but still tasty. Brushing with a little oil helps them brown.
Q: Will the cheese leak out during frying?
A: If you use a moderate amount of cheese and press the pickle slices together firmly, leaking is unlikely. Chilling the assembled bites helps the cheese set and reduces leaks.
Q: What pickles work best?
A: Dill pickles are classic for their tang and crunch. Bread-and-butter pickles are sweeter and change the flavor. Use firm slices so they hold up while frying.
Q: How do I keep the coating from falling off?
A: Dry the pickles, flour each piece lightly, dip fully in egg, and press breadcrumbs on firmly. Chill before frying and avoid overcrowding the fryer.
Q: Are these safe for kids?
A: Yes. Use mild cheese like mozzarella and serve with kid-friendly dips. Monitor frying if children are nearby.
Q: Can I make them ahead for a party?
A: You can assemble and chill them for up to 2 hours before frying. Alternatively, fry ahead and reheat in the oven to re-crisp just before serving.
Conclusion
Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites are a quick, crowd-pleasing snack with tangy, melty centers and golden, crunchy exteriors. They are easy to make, flexible to adapt, and fun to serve at gatherings. For another quick pickle idea that went viral, check out I Tried the Viral 2-Ingredient Pickle Chips and They’re … – Allrecipes. Give these bites a try — they’re simple, tasty, and addictive.
Print
Crispy Pickle Cheese Bites
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun, tangy snack with a crunchy shell and melty cheese inside, perfect for game day or parties.
Ingredients
- 4 cups dill pickles, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Pat the pickle slices dry with paper towels to remove excess brine. Cut large slices in half. For extra melty bites, sandwich a pinch of cheese between two pickle slices.
- Set up a breading station: Place flour in one bowl (seasoned with salt and pepper), beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs in a third. Press the cheese-stuffed pickle sandwiches lightly to help the filling stay inside.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Dredge each pickle sandwich in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. Fry in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove bites from oil and drain on paper towels. Let them rest for 1–2 minutes before serving warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Serve warm for the best texture and melty center. These bites can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for 1 month.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 186mg
