Ingredients
- 1 cup dill pickle chips (well-drained and patted very dry)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Dipping sauce of choice (e.g., ranch, spicy mayo)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a medium bowl, gently combine the well-drained and thoroughly patted dry pickle chips with the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and softened cream cheese. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Set up a breading station: place the all-purpose flour in one shallow dish, the beaten egg in a second, and the panko breadcrumbs (mixed with garlic powder, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper) in a third dish.
- Take small spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon) of the pickle-cheese mixture and gently form them into bite-sized balls or flattened discs. They don't need to be perfectly uniform.
- Dredge each bite first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten egg, allowing any extra egg to drip off. Finally, roll it generously in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a thorough and even coating.
- Place the coated bites on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart and not touching.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the bites are golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra crisp exterior, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching very carefully to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven, let cool for just a minute or two, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, spicy mayo, or even a tangy honey mustard.
Notes
Key to crispiness: Ensure your dill pickle chips are extremely dry before mixing. Use paper towels to pat them thoroughly. Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy. Make ahead: You can form and bread the bites ahead of time and refrigerate them on a parchment-lined tray for up to 24 hours. Bake just before serving for best results. Cheese variations: Feel free to experiment with other meltable cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a spicy pepper jack for an extra kick!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer & Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
