Spicy Cajun Fried Pickles with Garlic Blue Cheese Dip Recipe

Cajun fried pickles spark a tantalizing culinary adventure that crafts humble ingredients into a mouthwatering sensation.

These crispy, zesty bites pack an explosive flavor profile that dances between spicy and tangy.

Southern comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible appetizer that challenges traditional snacking expectations.

Crunchy exteriors give way to juicy, briny centers that surprise and delight hungry guests.

Robust spices create a complex coating that elevates simple pickle slices into a gourmet experience.

The accompanying garlic blue cheese dip introduces a creamy, sharp counterpoint that perfectly complements the spicy crunch.

Each bite promises a bold combination of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more.

Why Cajun Fried Pickles Pack a Crunch

• Spice Up Your Snack: Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary pickles into a zesty, flavor-packed appetizer that'll wake up your taste buds with bold, exciting heat.
• Crispy Texture Perfection: Deep-frying creates an incredibly crunchy exterior while keeping the pickle inside tangy and juicy, delivering a satisfying contrast in every bite.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal last-minute party snack or game day treat that looks and tastes impressive with minimal effort.
• Dip-licious Companion: The homemade garlic blue cheese sauce adds creamy, tangy richness that perfectly complements the spicy, crispy pickles, elevating the entire snacking experience.

Ingredients for Spicy Pickles & Bold Blue Cheese

Main Ingredients:

Pickles: Crisp dill pickle chips that provide the base for the fried appetizer, best when fresh and thick-cut for maximum crunch.

Hot Sauce: Adds heat and depth of flavor to the batter, enhancing the Cajun-style seasoning.

Buttermilk: Creates a tangy, rich batter that helps the coating stick to the pickles and provides a tender texture.

Dry Ingredients:

Flour: Main binding agent for the crispy coating, helping create a light and crunchy exterior.

Cajun Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Blend of spices that delivers bold, zesty flavor to the fried pickles.

Dip and Coating Ingredients:

Sour Cream, Mayonnaise: Creamy base for the blue cheese sauce, providing smooth and rich consistency.

Blue Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor and chunky texture to the dipping sauce.

Bleu Cheese: Alternative or additional cheese option for extra flavor intensity.

Frying Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep-frying, ensures crisp and golden exterior of the pickles.

How to Make Cajun Fried Pickles with That Zing

Step 1: Prepare Garlic Blue Cheese Sauce

• Gather all sauce ingredients except blue cheese
• Blend ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth
• Add blue cheese and pulse briefly to keep some texture
• If sauce seems runny, mix in extra sour cream or mayonnaise
• Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until serving

Step 2: Dry Pickle Chips

• Drain pickle juice completely
• Spread pickle chips on paper towels
• Pat chips gently to remove excess moisture

Step 3: Create Cajun Batter

• Flour
• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Hot sauce
• Buttermilk
• Water (if needed)
• Whisk ingredients in a medium bowl until batter reaches pancake-like consistency
• Add water sparingly if mixture seems too thick

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

• Select a heavy-bottomed pot
• Pour 2 inches of oil
• Heat to 385°F
• Maintain steady temperature

Step 5: Fry Pickle Chips

• Coat 5-6 pickle chips in batter
• Shake off excess coating
• Carefully lower into hot oil
• Fry 1-3 minutes per side
• Look for golden brown color
• Remove with spider strainer
• Place on cooling rack to drain excess oil

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Repeat frying process with remaining pickles
• Serve hot with prepared blue cheese sauce

Quick Tips for the Perfect Crunch and Dip

• Dry Thoroughly: Pat pickle chips completely dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent oil splattering during frying.
• Perfect Batter Consistency: Aim for a smooth, pancake-like batter that coats the pickles evenly without being too thick or runny.
• Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain oil at 385°F for optimal crispiness; use a thermometer to check and adjust heat as needed.
• Batch Frying: Avoid overcrowding the pot by frying 5-6 pickle chips at a time to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
• Drain Smart: Use a cooling rack instead of paper towels to keep fried pickles crisp by preventing them from sitting in excess oil.

How to Keep Your Fried Pickles Crispy Later

• Refrigeration Method: Store Cajun fried pickles and blue cheese sauce separately in airtight containers. Keep pickles crisp by placing them on a paper towel-lined container to absorb moisture. Consume refrigerated pickles within 2-3 days for best quality and texture.
• Reheating Method: Restore crispiness by baking pickles in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. Spread pickles on a wire rack or baking sheet to prevent sogginess. Avoid microwaving, which can make the coating soggy and soft.
• Sauce Storage: Blue cheese dip stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving to restore consistency. Discard if any separation or unusual odor occurs.

What Complements That Cajun Kick

• Spice Up Your Snack Pairing: Match these crispy Cajun fried pickles with an ice-cold beer like a hoppy IPA or a light lager to cut through the spicy breading and complement the tangy pickle flavor.
• Cool Down the Heat: Serve the garlic blue cheese dip alongside a refreshing cucumber mint mojito or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the spicy Cajun seasoning and creamy dip.
• Comfort Food Combo: Pair these fried pickles with Southern-style comfort foods like pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, or fried chicken to create a hearty appetizer spread that'll satisfy serious snack cravings.
• Contrast Flavor Profile: Add a fresh cucumber salad or a light coleslaw as a side to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the hot, spicy fried pickles and create a well-rounded appetizer experience.

Creative Twists for Spicy Pickle Lovers

• Spicy Ranch Remix: Replace blue cheese sauce with zesty homemade ranch dressing, adding extra cayenne pepper for a fiery kick that complements the crispy Cajun-seasoned pickles.
• Southern Pickle Poppers: Transform the recipe by using whole pickle spears instead of chips, creating a heartier appetizer with a crunchy exterior and tangy interior.
• Gluten-Free Crunch Edition: Swap wheat flour for rice flour or cornstarch, ensuring crispy texture while making the recipe accessible for gluten-sensitive food lovers.
• Smoky Pickle Platter: Incorporate smoked paprika into the Cajun seasoning and serve with a chipotle-infused dipping sauce for a deep, rich flavor profile that elevates the classic fried pickle experience.

Cajun Fried Pickles With Garlic Blue Cheese Dip Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cajun Fried Pickles spark crispy southern charm with zesty dill pickle slices coated in spicy cornmeal batter. Louisiana-style crunch meets creamy garlic blue cheese dip, delivering a mouthwatering appetizer you’ll devour in seconds.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) dill pickle chips, drained and dried on paper towels
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• ¼ teaspoon hot sauce

Dip Ingredients:

• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, roughly chopped
• ½ cup crumbled blue cheese

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Instructions

1. Craft the garlic blue cheese sauce by combining all ingredients except blue cheese in a blender or food processor, processing until completely smooth.
2. Gently incorporate blue cheese into the mixture, pulsing to maintain a slightly chunky texture.
3. Adjust sauce consistency by adding extra sour cream, mayonnaise, or blue cheese if too thin, blending until well incorporated.
4. Transfer sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate until serving time.
5. Thoroughly drain pickle chips and spread them on paper towels to eliminate excess moisture.
6. Prepare a heavy-bottomed pot by heating 2 inches (5 centimeters) of oil to 385 degrees Fahrenheit (196 degrees Celsius).
7. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, and buttermilk until achieving a smooth, pancake-like batter consistency.
8. Pat pickle chips again with paper towels to ensure maximum dryness.
9. Carefully dip 5-6 pickle chips into the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
10. Delicately lower battered pickles into the hot oil, frying for 1-3 minutes per side until achieving a golden brown color.
11. Extract fried pickles using a spider strainer and place on a cooling rack to drain excess oil while maintaining crispness.
12. Repeat frying process with remaining pickle chips.
13. Serve hot fried pickles alongside the chilled garlic blue cheese sauce.

Notes

• Perfectly crisp pickles start with completely dry chips, so use paper towels to remove all moisture before battering.
• Maintain oil temperature around 385°F for golden, crunchy exterior without greasy residue.
• Create a smooth, pancake-like batter by whisking ingredients thoroughly and adjusting consistency with water.
• Fry pickles in small batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even, crispy coating.
• Blue cheese sauce can be adjusted for thickness by adding more sour cream or mayonnaise.
• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg