FRIED PICKLE DIP (VIRAL DIP RECIPE)

Fried Pickle Dip (viral dip recipe)! It’s crunchy, it’s creamy, it’s tangy—and best of all, it’s EASY! Perfect for game day crowd pleaser, Netflix binge sessions, or when you just want to snack like you’ve got your own food truck parked outside.

Tik-Tok made me do it 👆🏼🎉

Jump to:

• THE BEST FRIED PICKLE DIPPING SAUCE
• A FEW OTHER APPETIZER RECIPE IDEAS:
• 🥒 FRIED PICKLES DIP
• ❤️ HERE'S WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS DIP RECIPE
• 🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS
• 👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE FRIED PICKLE DIP
• 📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
• ❓ FAQS
• Make-ahead and Storage
• make-ahead
• storage
• freezing

THE BEST FRIED PICKLE DIPPING SAUCE

And the best part? This dip is made without mayo, and there’s absolutely no horseradish here. If TikTok or Instagram hasn’t convinced you to try this yet, let me be your hype person!

A FEW OTHER APPETIZER RECIPE IDEAS:

• PAPRIKA DIP WITH FETA

• DAIRY-FREE DIP WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

• HOT GLUTEN-FREE SPINACH DIP

🥒 FRIED PICKLES DIP

The buttery panko bread crumbs really take this dip to the next level by lightly pan-frying them. #NoDeepFryNeeded.

Whether you're hosting game day, a party, or just a low-key movie night, this fried pickle dip will have your guests asking, “What’s in this?!” The answer: the best dip ever—tangy, creamy, and crunchy, all rolled into one bowl.

❤️ HERE'S WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS DIP RECIPE

• Minimal effort + maximum flavor.
• A crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
• A go-to for easy, FUN entertaining!
• NO deep-frying is required.

🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Note: Please scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the method.

8 oz (1 block) softened cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon pickle juice (for that briny kick)

1 tablespoon lemon juice (gotta keep it fresh if you can)

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (extra points for fresh herbs)

1 cup dill pickles, chopped (the star of the show)

¾ cup panko bread crumbs (for that crunch)

2 tablespoon butter (because golden, toasty panko needs love)

¼ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder or garlic flakes

salt and pepper to taste

👩🏼‍🍳 HOW TO MAKE FRIED PICKLE DIP

In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once melted, toss in ¾ cup of panko bread crumbs and a pinch of salt. Stir constantly until they’re golden brown and crunchy.

Set aside (if you can stop yourself from snacking on them!).

In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, pickle juice, lemon juice, onion powder, and garlic powder (or flakes).

Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste it—if you’re not already dipping, you're doing it wrong.

Fold in your chopped dill pickles, fresh dill and most of the bread crumbs (reserve a few tablespoons for the garnish). Transfer that creamy, tangy goodness into a serving bowl.

Sprinkle your reserved buttery panko bread crumbs all over the top. Serve immediately with chips, crackers, and veggies, or use it as the ultimate buffalo wings sidekick. Watch it disappear in minutes!

📝 TIPS AND TRICKS

Soften that cream cheese

You don’t want lumps in your dip, so make sure the cream cheese is super soft before mixing. Let it sit out for about 30 minutes. Softened cream cheese blends like a dream and makes your dip ultra-smooth.

Buttery Panko

The key to the perfect crunch is toasting those panko bread crumbs in butter. Not only does it make them golden and delicious, but the butter also adds a richness that gives your dip that "fried" vibe without the deep-frying. Keep an eye on them in the pan, though! Panko can go from golden brown to burnt in a hot second.

Double up for a crowd

This dip is always a crowd-pleaser, so if you're hosting more than a couple of people (or if you're just really hungry), do yourself a favor and double the recipe. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later when the bowl is empty and people are asking for more.

❓ FAQS

best chips to serve with this dip?

Ruffled / Wavy Potato Chips.

what pickles do I use?

Dill pickles.

Is this dip gluten-free?

Traditional panko bread crumbs are not typically gluten-free because they are made from wheat flour. However, you can find gluten-free versions of panko bread crumbs that use alternative flour like rice or potato starch. If you're aiming for a gluten-free Fried Pickle Dip, make sure to grab a specifically labeled gluten-free panko

My dip is lumpy, what should I do?

If your cream cheese is not soft when making this dip, you can use an electric hand mixer to make the dip smooth and silky.

How do I make this vegan?

Making this Fried Pickle Dip vegan is totally doable, and it’ll still be just as delicious! Here’s how you can easily swap out the ingredients for plant-based alternatives. Swap the cream cheese for vegan cream cheese (like Kite Hill, Violife, or Tofutti) and use vegan sour cream. Use dairy-free butter when frying the panko crumbs.

Make-ahead and Storage

make-ahead

Prep the Dip in Advance: You can make the dip up to 24 hours ahead of time. Follow the recipe, but hold off on toasting the panko and adding it to the top until you’re ready to serve. The dip itself gets even tastier as the pickle juice, seasoning, and fresh dill mingle with the cream cheese and sour cream.

storage

Got leftovers? (Lucky you!) Store your Fried Pickle Dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavor will still be great, but if you've added the panko crumbs, they may lose their crunch. You can always sprinkle fresh panko over the top if you’re serving it again later.

freezing

Not Recommended: This dip doesn’t freeze well due to the dairy (or vegan alternatives) and pickles. Freezing can alter the texture, making it less creamy and smooth when thawed. Stick to making it fresh or a day ahead and keep it in the fridge for best results!

Questions?

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