In the heartland of America, there’s a culinary tradition that brings together the crisp, tangy bite of pickles with the creamy decadence of cream cheese. It’s a combination that might sound unlikely, but one that Midwesterners hold dear to their hearts – the beloved pickle roll-up. These simple, yet delightful appetizers have graced countless potlucks, family gatherings, and picnics, becoming a symbol of comfort and home.
And we’ve found the holy grail of combinations that you’re definitely going to want to add to your Sunday football appetizer line-up, or your round-up of favorite potluck appetizers alongside our smoked queso, corn dip or buffalo chicken dip recipes – next up, Fried Pickle Roll Up Dip.
What Are Pickle Roll-Ups?
Pickle roll-ups, a quintessential Midwestern treat, are made by spreading a mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and a blend of savory seasonings onto thin slices of deli meat. The star of the show, of course, is the dill pickle, finely diced and artfully rolled into the cream cheese-covered deli meat. This combination creates a delightful burst of flavors and textures, offering the perfect balance between creamy, crunchy, and savory.
The Midwestern Tradition
Pickle roll-ups are not just about ingredients; they are a cultural symbol of Midwestern hospitality and togetherness. The tradition of making and sharing these wonderful appetizers extends to potlucks, family reunions, and community gatherings. It’s a way to bring people together, fostering a sense of community and shared heritage.
These simple yet delicious morsels have a unique ability to transport you back to fond memories of gatherings with loved ones. The act of making pickle roll-ups becomes a communal experience, with family and friends huddled around the kitchen, chatting, and assembling these bite-sized treats. This is why they are not just a snack; they are a symbol of warmth and the strong ties that bind the Midwest.
The Tale of Fried Pickles
While we’re on the subject of pickles, it’s worth mentioning another unique creation that has taken root in the South, but is beloved throughout the nation – fried pickles. This delightful appetizer features dill pickle slices coated in a crispy batter, deep-fried to golden perfection. But how did this delicious treat come about?
Fried pickles are thought to have originated in the South, where they quickly gained popularity as a cherished snack. The exact origin story is a bit murky, but it’s widely believed that they were created in the 1960s. The idea of deep-frying pickles may have been inspired by the Southern tradition of frying various foods, from catfish to okra.
Regardless of their exact origin, fried pickles have become a go-to snack in their own right, with their perfect combination of crunchy exteriors and tangy interiors. They’re often served with a side of ranch dressing or a spicy dipping sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor to this Southern favorite.
Tying the Two Together
Now, get ready to indulge yourself in the best tasting combination – fried pickle roll-up dip. I’ve been working on fine tuning the recipe to be the perfect balance of savory & tangy and am excited to share it with you.
Ingredients
- ½ – ¾ cup panko crumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup fresh dill pickles, finely diced
- 2 tbsp pickle juice (from jar)
- 1-2 tbsp ranch seasoning OR ranch dressing
- 8 oz of deli ham OR salami (to make this recipe vegetarian, omit the meat), chopped finely
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp fresh chives
Directions:
- Prepare the Panko Crumb Topping:
- In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the panko crumbs to the saucepan and stir continuously. Toast the panko crumbs until they turn golden brown and become crispy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the panko crumbs from the heat and set them aside. We will utilize the panko crumbs in the dip & as a crispy topping.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Base:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning (or ranch dressing), pickle juice, onion powder, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, and fresh chives.
- Use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon to thoroughly blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Fold in Diced Pickles:
- Gently fold in the finely diced fresh dill pickles into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure the pickles are evenly distributed throughout the dip. If you’ve followed us for awhile, you know how obsessed I am with this vegetable chopper – I also use this for the chopping the pickles for this dip. Save a few of your diced pickles for the top!
- Fold in the Deli Meat:
- Finely chop the deli meat, and add to the mixture. This is what makes the dip a “roll-up” dip instead of just a fried pickle dip. For us midwesterners, this is a crucial piece of the nostalgia associated with the recipe. If you’d like to make the dip vegetarian, you can omit this step.
- Add in Panko Crumbs:
- Next up, you’ll want to add in approximately half of your toasted panko mixture into the cream cheese, pickle & meat mixture. This will ensure that the crispiness is throughly distributed for every bite.
- Transfer to a Serving Dish:
- Once the mixture is well combined, transfer it to a serving dish or a shallow baking dish.
- Top the Dish with Panko Crumbs & Pickles:
- Toss a few of your diced pickles throughout the top of the dish, and then sprinkle the toasted panko crumb topping evenly over the top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Chill and Serve:
- Cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling the dip allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
- When you’re ready to serve, you can garnish the dip with some extra fresh dill and chives for a burst of color and flavor.
- Enjoy with Crackers or Mini Toasts:
-
-
- Fried Pickle Roll-Up Dip pairs with an array of dippers like Ritz crackers, mini toasts, tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, or vegetable sticks.
-
The panko crumbs and butter create a crispy, golden crust that adds a pleasant contrast to the creamy interior. The cream cheese, sour cream, and a medley of seasonings give the filling its irresistible flavor. The diced dill pickles infuse each bite with a burst of tangy freshness, while fresh dill and chives contribute a hint of herbal complexity.
Pickle roll-ups and fried pickles both hold special places in American culinary culture. The former represents the Midwest’s love for simple, yet heartwarming appetizers that bring people together, while the latter is a testament to the South’s creativity in the kitchen. And this combination means you get to indulge in both traditions in one dip, together.
Enjoy!
The Best Fried Pickle Roll-Up Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ - ¾ cup panko crumbs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup fresh dill pickles, finely diced
- 2 tbsp pickle juice (from jar)
- 1-2 tbsp ranch seasoning OR ranch dressing
- 8 oz of deli ham OR salami (to make this recipe vegetarian, omit the meat), chopped finely
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 tbsp fresh chives
Instructions
- Prepare the Panko Crumb Topping: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the panko crumbs to the saucepan and stir continuously. Toast the panko crumbs until they turn golden brown and become crispy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the panko crumbs from the heat and set them aside. We will utilize the panko crumbs in the dip & as a crispy topping.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the whipped cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning (or ranch dressing), pickle juice, onion powder, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, and fresh chives. Use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon to thoroughly blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Gently fold in the finely diced fresh dill pickles into the cream cheese mixture. Make sure the pickles are evenly distributed throughout the dip. Save a few of your diced pickles for the top!
- Finely chop the deli meat, and add to the mixture. If you'd like to make the dip vegetarian, you can omit this step.
- Add in approximately half of your toasted panko mixture into the cream cheese, pickle & meat mixture. This will ensure that the crispiness is throughly distributed for every bite.
- Once the mixture is well combined, transfer it to a serving dish or a shallow baking dish.
- Toss a few of your diced pickles throughout the top of the dish, and then sprinkle the toasted panko crumb topping evenly over the top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Cover the dip with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling the dip allows the flavors to meld and intensify. When you're ready to serve, you can garnish the dip with some extra fresh dill and chives for a burst of color and flavor.
- Serve cold & enjoy with an array of dippers - it's great with crackers, mini toasts, or tortilla chips!
One thought on “The Best Fried Pickle Roll Up Dip Recipe”
Comments are closed.