First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Let it preheat while you prepare the pickle chips. This ensures that the air fryer is hot and ready to go, resulting in maximum crispiness.

Set up your breading station. In the first bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Make sure the seasonings are evenly distributed.

In the second bowl, beat the large egg with 1 tablespoon of pickle juice. This adds extra pickle flavor and helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the pickles. I love this trick.

In the third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese (if using). The Parmesan cheese adds extra flavor and crispiness. Mix everything.

Now, it’s time to coat the pickles. Dredge each pickle slice in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. This creates a dry base for the egg to stick to.

Dip the flour-coated pickle slice into the beaten egg mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off. Be gentle with the pickles.

Finally, coat the pickle slice in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere evenly. This is the key to a crispy coating.

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This prevents the pickle chips from sticking. Arrange the breaded pickle chips in a single layer in the basket. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Lightly spray the tops of the pickle chips with cooking spray. This helps them brown evenly and become extra crispy. Close, and start cooking.

Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping the pickle chips halfway through the cooking time. They’re done when they’re golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them.