Pickle Poppers Are Low-Key The Best Summer Finger Food. Here's How You Can Make Them

We're in the full swing of summer, and maybe you're looking for something to jazz things up a bit at your next family cookout. One of the biggest hits at any get-together is when the finger foods that allow people to keep the conversations flowing while also snacking. It's even better when whatever you choose isn't crazy expensive and is super customizable. Enter pickle poppers in all of their salty, zesty glory. 

It's a snack that's got crunch, tang, spice, and just enough richness to keep people reaching for more, so it's exactly the summer finger food you might need in your life. Picture the perfect mashup of a traditional jalapeño popper and a pickle spear — basically this is a hollowed-out pickle, stuffed with your favorite filling, wrapped in your favorite coating, and sometimes briefly popped in the oven. The best part is you need zero culinary skills to pull it off. Heck, even the kiddos can get in on this one. One of the biggest selling points is that you can customize these to suit various dietary restrictions. For example, most times I see people make these, they're usually wrapped in smoky bacon, but, you could also skip out on the bacon and make these vegan, vegetarian, keto-friendly, or whatever floats your boat.

Everything starts and stops with choosing the right pickles, specifically ones that hold their shape well. Dill pickles are the standard, especially spears or sandwich stackers, since they're easy to hollow out or layer. You can slice them lengthwise and scoop out the center with a spoon to make a little boat for the filling, or go with pickle chips if you're making bite-sized versions for a party tray.

As for fillings, cream cheese is a popular option, and folks really love when it's mixed with melty shredded cheddar, chives, or even a dash of hot sauce. You could also go a little fancier with goat cheese or herbed Boursin if you want a creamier or more upscale flavor. I'd also add that a touch of smoked paprika or garlic powder in the filling goes a long way toward a really flavorful bite. If you're craving protein, sprinkle on crumbled bacon or throw in some finely chopped deli ham, which works great mixed into the filling, or even canned chicken for something heartier. Ultimately, once you've got your base combo, you're ready to stuff your pickles and move to the finishing touches.

After the pickles are filled, you can stop there (why would you?), or take things up a notch. One popular option is to wrap the stuffed pickles with the breakfast staple, bacon, and bake them until the edges crisp up. You can also sprinkle shredded cheese on top and broil them briefly for a melty finish.  

Some people like to toss in minced jalapeños or banana peppers for a little heat, while others keep it mild with some diced bell pepper. For those who're looking to go all out, an absolute banger is the Bacon Cheeseburger Pickle Popper variation that takes a bit more time than a regular popper, but it's so worth it. If you prefer a no-cook option for summer, serve them chilled with a little crushed red pepper or Everything Bagel seasoning for crunch. Another prep method is to roll the stuffed pickles in panko/breadcrumbs or crushed chips before baking or air-frying them. That gives you a crispy exterior without needing a deep fryer. And if you're feeding a group you can make a few different versions at once — some spicy, some mild, some vegetarian — so everyone gets a bite they enjoy.

Pickle poppers are also a dream for hosts. You can make them a few hours ahead and chill them until it's time to serve. They hold up well, don't get soggy too fast, and look impressive even though they take very little effort.  They work for everything from backyard cookouts to game day snacks; just line them up on a tray, maybe add a dipping sauce like ranch or chipotle mayo, and set things off the right way.