Description
Crispy, golden fried pickles stuffed with a creamy, flavorful blend of cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella, enhanced with garlic, onion, and smoked paprika spices. Perfect as an irresistible appetizer or snack served with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickles
- 12 large dill pickles, whole or sliced lengthwise
Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Breading
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional
- Ranch dressing or dipping sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Pickles: If using whole pickles, slice them lengthwise into halves or quarters according to your desired stuffing size.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Stuff Pickles: Carefully spoon the cheese mixture into each pickle piece. Use your fingers if necessary to firmly press the filling inside to ensure they are well-packed.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs respectively for coating.
- Bread Stuffed Pickles: Dredge each stuffed pickle first in the flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs adhere well.
- Heat Oil: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C), hot but not smoking.
- Fry Pickles: Carefully place the breaded pickles into the hot oil. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove fried pickles with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy stuffed fried pickles hot and crispy with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature is correctly maintained to avoid greasy or undercooked pickles.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
- Adjust seasoning in the cheese mixture to taste, adding more or less paprika or garlic powder as preferred.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Alternative dipping sauces like spicy mayo or blue cheese complement well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
