Cheesy Pickle Chips

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If there is one thing I have learned from years of cooking real food for a family that loves to snack, it is that the best snacks are the ones that feel indulgent but are built on clean, simple ingredients. These cheesy pickle chips check every box. Three ingredients, minimal effort, and a result that genuinely surprises people who expect healthy snacking to be boring. They are crispy, tangy, and satisfying in a way that makes them dangerously easy to keep making.

This recipe came directly out of my desire to give my kids something fun to eat after school without reaching for a bag full of vegetable oil, maltodextrin, and artificial flavoring. Next time you are tempted by a bag of store-bought dill pickle chips, remember that this homemade version is faster to make than a grocery run and infinitely cleaner. No potatoes, no seed oils, no ingredient list you need a chemistry degree to read. Just cheese, pickles, spice, and a hot oven.

They work equally well as a game day finger food, a party snack that disappears faster than you expect, or a simple after-school treat the kids can get excited about. Serve them as-is or alongside your favorite dip, and do not be surprised when everyone asks what is in them.

How to Make Pickle Chips

Similar to lacto-fermented pickle relish, this recipe only uses a few ingredients and is a quick way to add the delectable pickle tang to your meals. They’re completely versatile and ready to match whatever ingredients you have on hand. 

Pick your favorite shredded cheeses and seasonings, then dip in your favorite dip. You’ll enjoy the customizable cheesy pickle base with endless variations to best suit your taste buds!

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredient Notes

• Shredded cheese: Any shredded cheese that melts well will work. Choose one single type or toss in a combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, or Mexican cheese blend. 
• All-purpose seasoning: I use a mixture of herbs and garlic, but you can use your favorite seasoning instead. A simple seasoning salt with onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika is delicious too. 
• Dill pickle slices: Want to make your own pickles from scratch? Give this easy fermented pickles recipe a try!

Step-By-Step Instructions

I pulled inspiration from fried pickle chips but made the process way easier and kicked out the wheat, cornmeal and canola oil. This cheesy game day snack comes together with just 6 minutes of prep.

Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong! Tuck in a dill pickle slice or two into seasoned cheese, and top with more cheese. Pop it in the oven to bake until golden perfection for a quick and easy appetizer.

1. Toss the cheese with seasoning.
2. Layer the cheese and pickles into a muffin tin.
3. Bake until bubbly.
4. Let them cool down in the pan.
5. Serve warm with an optional dipping sauce.

Jessica’s Tips

• If you want your pickles to have more beneficial gut bacteria, fermenting pickles in saltwater brine instead of pickling them will be preferable.
• Thicker, crinkle-cut pickles hold up best to the heat and keep their shape instead of wilting into the cheese.
• Blot the dill pickle pieces with paper towels or at least shake off excess liquid before arranging them on the cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Bake them until the edges turn golden brown and the cheese is bubbly on top. Otherwise, it’s just melted cheese, and it won’t hold its shape. The cheese needs to cool down to crisp up! The browner the edges, the crisper the pickle chips will be when cooled. If they are undercooked, they will be too soft to lift out of the pan.

How to Store This Recipe

Store leftover pickle chips in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Keep a paper towel inside the container to absorb moisture and help maintain crispness. Do not freeze.

To reheat, place them in the air fryer or oven at 350 F for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese crisps back up. Avoid microwaving as it makes them soft.

How to Serve Pickle Chips

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce. We love it with ranch dip, sugar-free ketchup, or homemade Chipotle mayonnaise. They are especially delicious when paired with cheese curds, used as a topping for burgers, or enjoyed as part of savory butter boards.

More Easy Snacks To Try

• Pan de yuca
• French onion dip
• Cucumber roll-ups
• Instant pot hard boiled eggs
• Flax crackers