Crispy Cheese-Wrapped Pickle Ornaments

A fun and festive appetizer featuring tangy pickles wrapped in melted cheese and a crispy coating, perfect for parties or holiday gatherings.

This appetizer has become a hit at every holiday party I attend I love how crispy the coating gets while the cheese melts perfectly around the pickle.

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 23 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.

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This snack always brings my family together around the table especially during holidays when everyone is craving something crispy and flavorful.

Notes

For a spicy kick add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture Try using pepper jack or Swiss cheese for a different flavor profile Serve with ranch or honey mustard dipping sauce To make ahead prepare and freeze coated pickles then fry directly from frozen adding an extra minute to frying time.

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.

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This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with its perfect balance of crispy coating and melted cheese enjoy!

Recipe Help

→ What type of pickles work best?

Small dill pickles like cornichons or mini gherkins work best, as their size allows for easy wrapping and frying.

→ Can I use different cheeses?

Yes, meltable cheeses such as cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss provide great flavor and texture variations.

→ How do I ensure the coating stays crispy?

Dry pickles thoroughly, chill coated pickles before frying, and fry at the proper oil temperature for best crispiness.

→ Is there a way to prepare these ahead of time?

You can prepare and freeze coated pickles, then fry them directly from frozen, adding an extra minute to frying time.

→ What dipping sauces pair well?

Ranch dressing or honey mustard complement the tangy and crispy flavors nicely.