I Re-Created the Fried Pickles Benny Blanco Makes For Selena Gomez

As a native Midwesterner, I know my way around a fried pickle. Crunchy? Check. Perfectly seasoned? Yup. ? No doubt about it. After Benny Blanco shared his own tutorial for frying up that crispy goodness, however, I’m holding a new standard for fried pickle recipes: would approve?

In a Feb. 14 cooking video, the “Eastside” singer (and Gomez’s multitalented valentine) serves up a perfectly fried dill slice coated in a panko breading. “Guys, it’s Valentine’s Day, and these are my girlfriend’s favorite pickles,” Blanco says in the . “The only problem is, you can only get ’em shipped from f*cking Texas. But we got ’em, so now we’re gonna fry ’em.”

It’s not surprising that Blanco knows his way around a recipe — his cooking series (accompanied by mildly raunchy voiceovers) has cumulatively amassed billions of views across TikTok and YouTube. His debut cookbook, “,” is expected to drop at the end of April. So, off the bat, I trust his fried-pickle expertise.

How to Recreate Benny Blanco’s Fried Pickles

In this short TikTok clip, Blanco presents a gallon-sized jar of Gomez’s favorite pickles, . As Blanco demonstrates, you’ll start by dipping the pickle rounds in batter, then generously coat with panko. “Say goodnight!” he jokes. While he doesn’t share the exact ingredients here, it’s reasonable to assume it’s a mix of egg and buttermilk with a few spices.

Blanco also recommends adding a splash of Sprite to the batter, which he says, along with an expletive or two, is completely optional. I was initially a skeptic, I’ll admit it, and while the ingredient might seem out of place in such a savory snack, that bright hint of citrus actually plays nicely with the dill pickle’s sourness.

You’ll walk away with a thinly-coated, flaky fried pickle that’s primed for dipping in . While I can’t guarantee this recipe will spark any romantic feelings, this deep-fried appetizer does provide a delicious crunch and dill flavor. After recreating his recipe, I’d definitely save this appetizer for a leisurely weekend afternoon or reality TV watch party with friends.

I will say, there is a bit of a challenge when it comes to this particular cut of pickles: When frying up these thin rounds, I found that the pickles quickly dried out and shrunk. Adjusting the ratio of the breadcrumb coating to pickle (as well as frying for a few seconds less) thankfully did the trick.

The Pickles That Work Best For Benny Blanco’s Fried Pickle Recipe

It all comes down to your preferences. Best Maid’s hamburger slices are ideal for recreating Blanco’s romantic snack, but they’re a bit difficult to come by. While Blanco says that the family-owned and operated brand can only be shipped from Texas, you can also find them in a few large retailers across the US. It’s well worth the time to hunt down these delicately-sliced veggies, but it’s understandable why you might want to include something more accessible. Any standard hamburger slice will work in this case.

Searching for a heartier crunch? Try swapping out the suggested pickles for a thicker-cut variety, like the TikTok-beloved . Prepare to increase the amount of breadcrumbs and then fry them for a few seconds longer than the recipe calls.

No matter which way you slice it, you’ll want to use large pickle rounds — all in a similar size — for cooking consistency. (Feel free to snack on the smaller slices while waiting for the oil to heat up.) Ensure all excess brine is dried before dipping them into the batter and panko to avoid any unpleasant sogginess.

is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her expertise lies primarily in food, drink, and fashion media, but she enjoys covering all aspects of lifestyle with an accessible approach. She’s written for Food & Wine, Byrdie, Business Insider, VinePair, and Flourish.

Ingredients

1. Vegetable oil for frying
   ½ cup Best Maid hamburger slices
   ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
   ½ tablespoon flour
   ½ cup buttermilk
   1 egg, beaten
   1 tablespoon Sprite
   Paprika, salt, pepper

Directions

1. Heat a skillet of vegetable oil on medium heat on the stovetop.
2. Pat excess liquid from pickles and set them to dry on paper towels.
3. Combine buttermilk, egg, Sprite, and spices in a small bowl to create the batter. Set aside. In another bowl, mix panko and flour until thoroughly combined.
4. Dip pickles in the batter, then cover with the breading mixture.
5. Once the oil reaches 375°F, gently drop the pickles into the skillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
6. Remove the pickles from the skillet and cool on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack. Pair with ranch dressing and enjoy!

Information

Category

Appetizers

Yield

Approximately 30 fried pickles

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Total Time

29 minutes, 59 seconds