Arkansas Fried Pickles

I’ve only passed through Arkansas on the way to a different destination, but I hope to one day visit the Hot Springs area to explore Hot Springs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) as well as the Garvan Woodland Gardens which is the botanical garden of the University of Arkansas.  At the Woodland Gardens, you can visit the Anthony Chapel, which is a  stunning cathedral made out of glass and wood Anthony Chapel Complex – Garvan Woodland Gardens.  

It should come as no surprise that a food that is famous in Arkansas is a fried delicacy!  Let me introduce the fried pickle!  I was skeptical about it until I tasted it and now I am a fan.  It makes a great party/finger food/appetizer, and a talking point to people who’ve never imagined eating such a thing as a fried pickle.  Try it and see for yourself. 😉

Arkansas Fried Pickles 

Ingredients

15 bread and butter chip pickles or 5 stackers pickles

1 egg

1 tb milk

1/2-3/4 cup cornmeal

1/2 ts pepper

1/2 ts salt

1/2 ts cayenne

vegetable oil

Ranch dressing

Instructions

Pat dry your pickles.

Lightly whisk the egg and 1 tb milk

Prepare cornmeal mixture – add the pepper, salt, and cayenne to the cornmeal in it’s own bowl.

Dip each chip into the egg and milk mixture (let excess run off) and then coat in the cornmeal mixture.

In the meantime, pour enough vegetable oil into a heavy skillet to cover it in about 1/2 inch of oil. 

Heat the oil on med high until it is shimmering.

Drop each pickle into the oil and turn over after about 20-30 seconds.  You may need to keep turning the pickles a few times until both sides are golden brown.

Place the fried pickles onto a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil

That’s it!  

Enjoy your pickles on their own, or dipped into a delicious Ranch dressing, and enjoy a taste of Arkansas!