Save to Pinterest A fun and festive appetizer featuring tangy pickles wrapped in melted cheese and a crispy coating, perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.
This recipe always impresses my guests and adds a playful touch to our celebrations.
Ingredients
- Main: 12 small dill pickles (cornichons or mini gherkins) patted dry, 6 slices cheddar cheese (or any meltable cheese) halved, 2 large eggs
- Breading: ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour), 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs), ½ tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
- For Frying: Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Pat the pickles dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Step 2:
- Wrap each pickle tightly with a half slice of cheese.
- Step 3:
- In three shallow bowls place flour in one beaten eggs in the second and breadcrumbs mixed with smoked paprika garlic powder and black pepper in the third.
- Step 4:
- Dip each cheese-wrapped pickle first in flour then in egg then coat well with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Step 5:
- Place coated pickles on a parchment-lined tray Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes to help set the coating.
- Step 6:
- In a deep skillet or saucepan heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Step 7:
- Fry pickles in batches for 2–3 minutes each turning to ensure even crispiness until golden brown.
- Step 8:
- Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil Let cool slightly before serving.
Save to Pinterest This snack brings back fond memories of festive family gatherings and holiday fun.
Required Tools
Shallow bowls Paper towels Baking tray Saucepan or deep skillet Slotted spoon or tongs Thermometer (recommended for oil temperature)
Allergen Information
Contains Dairy (cheese eggs) Gluten (flour breadcrumbs use gluten-free alternatives if needed) Always check product labels for potential allergens
Nutritional Information
Calories 120 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 8 g Protein 4 g
Save to Pinterest These crispy cheese-wrapped pickles are sure to be the star of your party appetizers.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you ensure the coating sticks well?
Pat the pickles dry thoroughly, then coat sequentially in flour, beaten egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs to create a firm crust that adheres well during frying.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes, you can chill the coated pickles in the freezer before frying or freeze them fully and fry directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time.
- → What cheese types work best for wrapping?
Mild meltable cheeses like cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss work well, providing creamy texture and flavor contrast to the pickles.
- → How do you achieve a crispy crust?
Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with spices for a crunchy texture, and fry in oil heated to 350°F until golden brown.
- → Are these suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, substituting all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives keeps the coating gluten-free without sacrificing crispiness.