Fried Pickle Spear Recipe

Fried pickle spears are one of my favorite Disney Snacks and with this easy copycat recipe, you can now make Disneyland fried pickles any time you want!

Prep Time 15

12 servings

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A bowl of crispy breaded zucchini sticks sits next to a small glass bowl of white dipping sauce with herbs, on a patterned cloth—perfect alongside fried pickle spears for a tasty snack spread.

Crispy, crunchy, salty, and fried! What is not to love in a deep-fried pickle spear?
Based on the recipe released on the Disney Parks Blog, you are now able to make the Disneyland fried pickle spears from Carnation Café that Disneyland has been serving in parks since 2012.
Easily double this recipe for when you need to make fried pickles for the game day crowd.

Ingredients needed:

Canola oil - for frying
flour - all-purpose
eggs -
panko bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese - grated
Dill pickle spears, about 12 pickles (should be uniform in size; cut in half widthwise, if necessary)

Disney Zesty House Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

Sriracha sauce - use your favorite brand
Ranch dressing - use your favorite brand, Hidden Valley is mine
Lime juice - fresh is best but use bottled if that is all you have
Mayonnaise -
Salt - Kosher
Black pepper

Ranch Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

Mayonnaise
Yogurt
Garlic powder
Lemon juice
Dill - fresh, chopped
Parsley - fresh, chopped

How to make fried pickle spears:

Heat oil in a wide, heavy bottom pan to 365°F.
Drain the pickles, slice in half lengthwise and pat them as dry as possible with paper towels.
Place flour in a shallow dish or plate.
Whisk eggs until smooth in small mixing bowl. Transfer to another shallow dish.
Mix panko and Parmesan cheese together in another shallow dish.
Dredge each pickle spear in flour, coating completely.
Add pickle to whisked eggs, tossing gently to coat.
Add pickle to breadcrumb mixture to coat, pressing crumbs firmly to the spears.
Place breaded pickles on a clean plate and repeat the steps until all pickles are breaded.
Carefully place breaded pickles in a skillet and fry until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally.
Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
Serve immediately with zesty house sauce.

Seasonal Favorite

Two jars of seedless blackberry jam on a wooden table.

This is the best homemade seedless black raspberry jam recipe made with fresh or frozen black raspberries.

Black Raspberry jam Recipe

Fried Pickle Spears; Air Fryer Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Drain the pickles, slice in half lengthwise and pat them as dry as possible with paper towels.
Place flour in a shallow dish or plate.
Whisk eggs until smooth in small mixing bowl. Transfer to another shallow dish.
Mix panko and Parmesan cheese together in another shallow dish.
Dredge each pickle spear in flour, coating completely.
Add pickle to whisked eggs, tossing gently to coat.
Add pickle to bread crumb mixture to coat, pressing crumbs firmly to the spears.
Place breaded pickle on a clean plate and repeat steps until all pickles are breaded.
Lightly spritz each pickle with oil and place the pickles in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook 5 minutes, turn over the pickles and cook an additional 4-6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Serve immediately with sauce.

Making the dipping sauces.

For each of the sauces:

Combine all ingredients for each of the sauces in small mixing bowl, whisking well.
Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

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Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

Fried Pickle Spears. Disneyland Fried Pickles square image

Is there a substitute for the panko bread crumbs?

I love panko bread crumbs for the extra crunchy texture they bring to the fried pickles. BUT I understand that sometimes people run out of them. Italian bread crumbs or even homemade bread crumbs are always a good option.