Here’s a crispy, gooey Cheesy Pickle Bombs recipe — perfect as a snack, party bite, or game-day treat. No alcohol, simple ingredients, and easy to bake or air-fry.
🧀🥒 Cheesy Pickle Bombs
Yield: 12–16 bombs
Time: ~30 minutes
Ingredients
Filling
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12–16 pickle slices (thick-cut; dill works best)
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120–150 g cheese, cut into cubes
(mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack) -
Optional: pinch of chili flakes or black pepper
Coating
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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2 eggs, beaten
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1 cup breadcrumbs
(panko = extra crispy) -
½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp paprika
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Salt to taste
For cooking
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Oil spray or light brushing of oil
Step 1 – Prep the pickles
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Pat pickle slices very dry with paper towels.
👉 This is important so they don’t get soggy. -
Place a cheese cube on top of each pickle slice.
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If pickles are small, sandwich cheese between two pickle slices.
Step 2 – Set up breading station
Prepare 3 bowls:
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Flour
-
Beaten eggs
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Breadcrumbs + garlic powder + paprika + salt
Step 3 – Bread the bombs
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Roll each pickle-cheese bundle in flour.
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Dip into egg.
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Coat fully with breadcrumbs.
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For extra crunch, repeat egg + breadcrumb once more.
Step 4 – Chill (important!)
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Place bombs on a tray.
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Chill in the freezer 10–15 minutes
👉 This prevents cheese from leaking.
Step 5 – Cook (choose one)
🔥 Oven-baked
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Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
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Place bombs on a lined tray.
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Lightly spray or brush with oil.
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Bake 15–18 minutes, turning once, until golden.
🌬️ Air fryer
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Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway.
🍳 Pan-fry (optional)
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Shallow fry in hot oil for 2–3 minutes per side until crispy.
Step 6 – Cool slightly
Let rest 2–3 minutes before biting — cheese will be hot!
Dipping Sauce Ideas
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Ranch or yogurt dip
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Ketchup + mustard mix
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Garlic mayo
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Honey-mustard (small amount)
Variations
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Spicy: add jalapeño slices or cayenne to breadcrumbs
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Extra cheesy: mix cream cheese with shredded cheddar
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Low-carb: use almond flour + crushed pork rinds
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Mini bombs: use pickle chips + shredded cheese
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Wet pickles → soggy bombs
❌ Skipping the chill → cheese leaks
❌ Overcrowding → uneven crisping