Tangy, sweet and sour these Kool Aid Pickles are a crazy twist on a usually savory condiment that becomes a wacky and tasty flavor combination.
Have you heard of Kool Aid Pickles or Koolickles before? If you haven’t yes, they are a thing. Originating from the Delta area they have taken the south and now the north by storm with their kooky flavor combinations!
WHAT ARE KOOL AID PICKLES/KOOLICKLES?
If you cant figure out by the name itself Kool Aid Pickles are pickles that are soaked in a pickle juice, Kool Aid and sugar combination and brined for about a week. They take on a deep red, purple or blue color depending on the flavor of Kool Aid used.
HOW DO YOU MAKE KOOL AID PICKLES?
Like state above these pickles are made with pickle juice, Kool aid and sugar. The most popular flavors of Kool Aid used are Tropical Punch and Cherry. But you can use pretty much any flavor that you like.
The sugar and Kool Aid are whisked into the pickle juice and then poured back over the pickles and placed in the refrigerator for about 1 week. Shaking every day to make sure that the brine is evenly distributed so that the pickles can take on the flavor and color of the Kool Aid used.
These Kool Aid Pickles are not for the faint of heart, there are only two sides to these. Either you love them or hate them and people have STRONG options about these. But who wouldn’t love sweet and sour/salty flavors together? I know that it is one of my favorite combinations.
So for this recipe we used cherry Kool Aid, but like I said you can use any flavor that you like. These turned a bright and deep red that really made the pickles unique and questioned.
When I mentioned that I was going to make these to my family and friends I got mixed reviews. My kids absolutely love pickles and Kool Aid so they were super excited to try them!
If you want a comparison for flavor on these…if there really is any type of comparison it would have to be sweet pickle relish. I’m a huge sucker for sweet pickle relish and the sweetness of these Kool Aid Pickles really hit the nail on the head with that one!
So needless to say, these are a keeper for us. They are a fun and crazy snack that you can nibble on, whip out at get togethers to show some guests or just have around because you already love them. An easy recipe for sure.
If you love this recipe you’ll love these other recipes: Chile Infused Honey, Bourbon Bacon Jam, Elvis Donut Sandwiches.
Kool Aid Pickles
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz jar dill pickle spears
- 1 packet kool aid any flavor
- 3/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- In large bowl drain your pickle juice from jar.
- Add in Kool aid and sugar to pickle juice and whisk together until dissolved.
- Pour back into jar with pickles, you may have a little juice left over.
- Seal top and shake.
- Place in refrigerator for 5-7 days shaking once a day.
Notes
Nutrition
Tornadough Alli is not a nutritionist or dietitian, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and nutritional value is important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and values can vary depending on which brands were used.
Tammy
Elton Brown was the first to share this recipe there name is Koolicle it was many years ago he visited the bar that came up with the idea they sold out daily patrons enjoyed these so much they used cherry look and I forgot about these so nice to see the recipe again I am making them for the 4th of July
Chris
I made kool aid pickles for the first th time. I used black cherry flavor and 1 1/2 cups sugar . Delicious! Who knew! I’m hearing if you like sweet/hot add a little hot sauce. I haven’t gotten that adventuresome yet!
Carly
Has anyone tried canning these after brining them?
Mary
How long do the pickles last?
P Skoge
Very good snack
Delilah
These sound delightful. Can you use Crystal Light in lieu of KoolAid? Trying to cut down on sugar.
Tornadough Alli
I have never done it, but I’ve seen people say that they have, so I say go for it!
Pamela Skogen
Yes I used cherry, added only 1/2 cup of sugar, very good.
Mike
Love them
Janice
My grandmother made these years ago people in the south have always enjoyed these u can also use pineapples!
Tornadough Alli
I just heard about the pineapple, a southern friend told me about it and I cannot wait to try that!
Billy Joel
Wow tis resipe is gre.My minecraft steeve relly liks tis resipe.
Michelle Howse
Do you have to use the pickle juice ? Or can you pass with just kool-aid ?
Tornadough Alli
I’ve never not used the pickle juice so I’m not sure how it would taste, I’m assuming more sweeter, you could absolutely try it!
UMM ME LOL
You can ! Its sweeter but the pickles dont last as long so if you do a big batch make sure to get rid of it with in a week.
paula highsmith
I make kool aid pickles but have problems with the backside of the pickle taking on the color if I just do spears
Jojo Wyrick
I used sour pickles cut up in spears. Used the pickle juice with black cherry koolaid. I wanted to go healthier, so I used stevia and it came out awesome. So any sugar substitute would work great.
Good eatings….
Mary
I started the process yesterday and I canโt wait to try them. Oh watermelon ๐ flavor koolaid is what I used. I will let you guys know how it taste.
Ruth Foster
I love these,my sis brought m 5jar from Mississippi awesome they were made with snow cone syrup..omg so good..I’m ready to eat some I made with cherry and lemon flavored Kool aid..mixed together..you must try this great tku
Tornadough Alli
They are really good! People donโt realize that and they are totally missing out!
Kathy Shockley
Can sugar substitute be used. Being diabetic I try to watch my sugar intake. Want to try this recipe for our upcoming church dinner.
Tornadough Alli
You should be able to use a sugar substitute no problem, its more for the flavor than anything.
Gary Gardner
Credit should be given to Alton Brown for this recipe. He featured this on a show called “Dill-icious” Season 11 Episode 8 of “Good Eats”
Angela
Alton Brown did not create this recipe. Koolaid pickles have been around since I was a kid in the 70s.
Tee
He didnโt event this recipe. This neennout for years. The dry and wet pickle recipe.So the credit donโt go to him
Tiara
Im almodt 30 and have been eating these since i was a kid.. Kool aid pickles and snow cones were the highlight of tje summer growing up.. Now being am adult theres a whole new spin on them… Theres a store in my home town that sells Ciroc pickles where the alcohol/liquor is mixed in them as well
karen
I have looked at all the grocery stores and can’t find any of the Kool aide packets. The only thing I can find is the liquid concentrate that contains artificial sweeteners which I don’t care for, they all have an aftertaste to them. So I wonder if jello would work. I’m gonna try a little amount to see if it works, I’ll never know if I don’t try. I really want to try these pickles.
Mark Berger
What a great idea. whodathunk!!!
Mark Berger
that looks like a great idea whodathunk