2-Ingredient Keto Pickle Chips

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Inside: This keto pickle chips recipe is a great way to satisfy your craving for fried pickles without crashing your carbs–and it’s just two ingredients! You’ll love this simple, easy, and healthy recipe. This pickle snack is also gluten-free, sugar-free, and on plan for Trim Healthy Mama! 

Related: Easy, Healthy Homemade Pickles

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Pickles are the perfect snack. They are veggies, but, for my kids at least, they don’t feel like veggies. Whether sour, sweet, or tangy, a crisp pickle is the ultimate comfort snack. 

Even though I grew up in the South and consider myself a true Southern girl through and through, I had never tasted or even heard of a fried pickle until college. I know–crazy, right?

While visiting Alabama for a college missions conference, I saw ordered fried pickles from the appetizer menu of a restaurant for the very first time. It was right then and there that this North Carolina girl realized for the first time that the further South you travel, the more fried foods abound. 

The fried pickles were simply scrumptious. My college metabolism was high enough that I’m sure I gobbled up most of the plate myself. I was hooked. 

Fast forward more than two decades, and I’ve rarely had this Southern delicacy since. When my family went gluten-free in 2011, we bid farewell to almost all fried foods. Our waistlines and cholesterol levels have surely thanked us, but I’ll be honest: Sometimes I still get a hankering for a juicy fried pickle! 

Thankfully, I’ve found a fried pickle substitute that is not only just as good. These keto “fried” pickles may actually taste better than their original counterparts! 

Not only this, but I can rest easy that when I consume these keto cheese fried pickles–or serve them to my family–I’m not giving into an unhealthy snack. I can eat these fried pickles and know I’m staying on plan for Trim Healthy Mama and nourishing my body well!

These savory bites are quick and super easy to make. Let’s dive in!

Keto-Friendly Fried Pickles

Instructions

• Prepare the Pickles: Start by patting the dill pickle spears dry with a paper towel. Ensuring they are dry is crucial for the recipe to work properly.
• Spoon 1 tablespoon of cheese into each well of a muffin tin.
• Over the cheese, place two to three pickles. Top with another tablespoon of cheese.
• Once finished baking, place on paper toweling to remove excess grease.
• Serve and Enjoy: Your Keto Fried Pickles are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a side of your favorite low-carb dipping sauce or relish the crispy goodness on its own.

Serving Suggestions for Keto Fried Pickles

• Dipping Sauce: Prepare a tangy dip with mayo, a touch of mustard, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Side Salad: Serve with a refreshing side salad to balance out the richness of the fried pickles.
• Guacamole: For an extra kick, pair these pickles with some homemade guacamole.
• Keto-Friendly Ranch Dressing: A classic choice for dipping that stays true to the low-carb theme.

Keto Fried Pickle Dietary Considerations

This Fried Pickles recipe is a versatile delight that aligns with various dietary preferences.

• Keto Diet: This recipe fits perfectly into this dietary approach by using low-carb cheese instead of breading.
• Gluten-Free: This recipe eliminates gluten entirely by using cheese, making it a safe and delicious gluten-free option.
• Vegetarian: While the recipe itself is not vegan due to the use of dairy, it is vegetarian for those who prefer to eat that way.
• Allergen-Free: While not dairy-free, the recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and corn-free.

Trim Health Mama Considerations

Now, let’s break down how this Keto Fried Pickles recipe aligns with Trim Healthy Mama (THM) principles:

• Satisfying (S) Meal: The use of cheese provides healthy fats, making this recipe a satisfying (S) meal. THM categorizes meals based on fuel types, and ‘S’ meals focus on satisfying fats and proteins while keeping carbohydrates low.
• Low-Carb and Sugar-Free: Choosing cheese sugar-free pickles ensures that the overall dish remains low in carbs, aligning with THM principles.
• Balanced Flavor Profile: With using the natural savoriness of the cheese and pickles instead of a seasoning blend you get a balanced flavor profile without relying on added sugars or unhealthy ingredients.
• Suitable for Satisfying Cravings: The crispy coating and savory flavors of these keto fried pickles make them a satisfying and enjoyable snack that fits within the THM framework.

Health Benefits Keto Fried Pickles

While it’s true that deep-frying is often associated with less-than-healthy fare, when you adhere to a keto lifestyle and make mindful choices, you can still enjoy this tasty treat with some notable health benefits. Plus, these “fried” pickles require no frying at all since they’re actually baked in an oven!

Let’s take a quick look at some of these health benefits:

• Low in Carbs: The keto fried pickles are made with cheese, which is naturally low in carbohydrates. This makes them a suitable choice for those following a ketogenic diet, which focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake to induce a state of ketosis.
• Healthy Fats: The choice of cheese brings healthy fats to the table. These fats can contribute to satiety and help keep you feeling full for longer, which is beneficial for those aiming to manage their weight.
• Electrolyte Balance: Dill pickles, the star ingredient, are a good source of electrolytes such as sodium. On a low-carb diet like keto, maintaining proper electrolyte balance is crucial, and pickles can help in replenishing these essential minerals.
• Portion Control: Due to the richness of the fats in the cheese, keto fried pickles can be quite satisfying, potentially helping with portion control and reducing the likelihood of overeating.
• Fun Way to Incorporate Vegetables: Pickles are cucumbers, and cucumbers are vegetables! While the cheese might be the star ingredient in this recipe, you’re still incorporating a vegetable into your snack, providing additional nutrients and fiber.

There you have it – a simple and satisfying recipe for Keto Fried Pickles that aligns with the Trim Healthy Mama approach. These crunchy delights will surely become a favorite in your low-carb repertoire. Happy cooking!