Ranch Fried Pickle Dip with Crispy Onion Topping

Super tasty and delicious Ranch Fried Pickle Dip with Crispy Onion Topping! All the great flavors on a fried pickle in an addictive party dip!

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Easy and delicious Ranch Fried Pickle Dip with Crispy Onion Topping!

Calling all pickle lovers! This dill pickle dip is a savory dip that takes all the tasty flavors of a fried pickle to the next level in the form of a creamy, dreamy dip topped with toasted breadcrumbs and crispy French fried onions!

This flavorful dip is always a hit at parties, is perfect for game day, and could not be easier to whip up!

The crispy panko breadcrumbs combined with the flavorful an crunchy French fried onions are the perfect pairing for the creamy, pickle-packed dip that's bursting with fresh herby flavor! Pair this dip with your favorite chips or pretzels, and watch it disappear!

Ingredients

This Ranch Fried Pickle Dip with Crispy Onion Topping is a breeze to make, with simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make it:

• Seasoned Panko bread crumbs. I like to use seasoned bread crumbs here for an extra layer of flavor.
• Crispy French Fried Onions, crushed. These add a great flavor and texture to the toasted breadcrumbs. You'll gently crush these, then stir them into the hot, butter toasted panko.
• Salted butter, for toasting the breadcrumbs.
• Sour cream (full fat preferred).
• A block of cream cheese, softened to room temperature. For speedy softening, cut the cold cream cheese into small cubes and leave out on a plate on the counter (this will take roughly 30 minutes).
• Ranch seasoning. You can use your favorite ranch seasoning, or a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix / seasoning.
• Dill pickle brine, from a jar of pickles. This helps loosen the dip, as well as adds a bit of tang, an reinforces the pickle flavor!
• Worcestershire sauce. I prefer Lea and Perrins. This adds a little extra umami flavor to the dip!
• Hot sauce, such as Crystal. This adds a bit of heat, and some warm depth of flavor! You want a simple, Louisiana style hot sauce, not a buffalo sauce (which will make this have too much of a buffalo chicken dip flavor, which can overpower the dip).
• Dill pickles, finely chopped and patted dry with paper towels. Drying the chopped pickles well on paper towels before folding into the dip helps keep the dip thick, luxurious and creamy, instead of runny.
• Fresh crushed garlic cloves.
• Fresh dill and fresh chives, for a burst of herby flavor.

Tools for making the perfect Fried Pickle Dip

• An electric hand mixer or stand mixer, for easily blending the dip.
• paper towels, for drying the chopped pickles well before folding into the dip.
• A sharp knife and cutting board, for prepping the pickles and herbs.
• A garlic press, for super-fine garlic.

How to make the Fried Pickle Dip

This Fried Pickle Dip comes together quickly and easily with a few simple steps! Here's how to make it:

1. Add French fried onions to a zip-top bag, and crush, using your hands, or a rolling pin, unit, fine crumbs form. Set aside. 
2. Finely chop pickles and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Cover with additional towels and pat dry to remove most of the moisture. Set aside. 
3. Melt butter over medium heat in a medium nonstick frying pan or small skillet.
4. Add panko breadcrumbs to the pan and toast, stirring occasionally to incorporate with the melted butter, until well browned, 2-3 minutes. 
5. Once golden brown. transfer to a bowl, toss with crushed French fried onions, and allow to cool. 
6. Add softened cream cheese and sour cream to a large bowl and blend until smooth and homogenous, about 2 minutes. (May also use a stand mixer on medium speed). 
7. Add Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, hot sauce, crushed garlic, chopped dill, thinly sliced chives, and pickle brine and blend with mixer until well incorporated (about 30 seconds). 
8. Using a spatula, fold in dried chopped pickles and ½ of the crunchy topping (reserve the rest for topping the dip). 
9. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, and top with even layer of remaining breadcrumb topping. (see recipe card below for full recipe instructions and ingredients list).

What to serve with the dip

• Chips. I love ripple cut potato chips, kettle chips, pita chips, or tortilla chips for dipping. You want a sturdy chip so it can hold up to the dreamy dip!
• Veggies. Carrot sticks or chips, celery, thinly sliced radish, cucumber slices, or thinly sliced bell peppers are all great options for dipping!
• Bread. Some great baguette slices or crostini are also great for dipping into the creamy dip!

Storing and make ahead

This dip tastes best if served right away to preserve the crispiness of the topping. If you want to make it ahead, you could make the base of the dip up to 2 days ahead, then prepare the crispy topping and fold half in before topping and serving.

Substitutions and Additions

This Fried Pickle Dip can easily be adjusted to work with your personal preferences, as well as what you have on hand in your refrigerator and pantry. Here are some good substitutions and additions you can use to make this recipe your own!

• This recipe calls for dill pickles (my vote is always Claussen), but you can use any of your favorite pickles cut into small pieces, such as bread and butter pickles, spicy dill pickles, fresh pickles from your local deli, or horseradish pickles!
• Have plain panko breadcrumbs on hand? Add a pinch on garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley or dried dill to the mix before browning in place of the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. I do not recommend regular breadcrumbs, as they are very fine and will not have the same "fried" effect as coarse and crispy panko bread crumbs.
• Swap the creamy sour cream for plain greek yogurt!
• Use a pinch of red pepper flakes in place of the hot sauce.
• You can use ranch dressing mix, or any ranch seasoning you like! Trader Joe's also has a great ranch seasoning!
• Add a pinch of buttermilk powder for an extra tangy dip!
• Don't have a full 2 cups of chopped pickles? Try adding a few tablespoon of dill pickle relish.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a little extra zing.
• No crispy fried onions? Swap them for extra panko, and toast along with the remaining panko.

More great party dip recipes!

If you love this Ranch Fried Pickle Dip with Crispy Onion Topping, you'll love these delicious dip recipes, too!

• Layered Creamy Salsa and Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
• Hot and Cheesy French Onion Soup Dip
• Sour Cream and Chive Dip
• Baked Elote Dip

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