Deep-fried pickles are pickles that are coated in a batter and cooked in a deep-fryer or with hot oil. Various types of pickles can be used for deep-frying. Many times deep-fried pickles are served with some variation of dipping sauce on the side. Many people enjoy the flavor of pickles that have been deep-fried, but it is worth noting that the process adds extra fat and calories to the pickles. It is customary for a person to have deep-fried pickles as a snack or an appetizer rather than as a main dish.
Sandwich pickles are one of the most common types of pickles to deep-fry. Deep-fried sandwich pickles look like chips — flat and circular — making them ideal to eat as a lunch side. The flavor of deep-fried pickles can be enhanced by serving a sauce with the pickle chips. Restaurants have all kinds of options when it comes to offering customers fried-pickle dipping sauce. Some venues will simply serve the pickle chips with cups of ranch or blue cheese salad dressing, while other establishments make their own sauces by combing ingredients such as mayonnaise, horseradish and garlic.
Large, whole dill pickles that are served deep-fried are often offered at carnivals and street fairs. These deep-fried pickles are typically served on a stick for convenience. Atkins, Arkansas, hosts its own festival each year devoted entirely to pickles. Atkins resident Bernell "Fatman" Austin is credited with developing the deep-fried pickle while cooking at his drive-in restaurant during the 1960s. As of 2011, his recipe is still being served up by his family during the Atkins Pickle Fest.
Cutting dill pickles into wedges before deep-frying them is another option for serving fried pickles. People who enjoy eating thick, wedge-shaped French fries may want to try this variety of pickle treat. This type of fried pickle can be seen served with sandwiches or as a snack sold at bars.
People can try making their own deep-fried pickles at home. A person can alter the taste of his or her deep-fried pickles by choosing a different variety of oil to cook with. Canola oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil and olive oil will all give fried pickles a slightly different flavor. Sandwich pickles and dill pickles may rank among the most popular types of pickles to fry, but any variety of pickle can be used. Pickle lovers can branch out and try using Polish pickles, bread-and-butter pickles and other kinds until they find the variety that tastes most appetizing.
