Kool Aid Pickles are a sweet and sour mix that put a new spin on a savory classic. Whip up a batch of "Koolickles" today for a fun and tangy treat the entire family will love!
Every now and then I forget that my native Michigander husband hasn't grown up in the south with all of our "interesting" foods like boiled peanuts and pickled okra or pigs feet. So when I recently realized that my pickle-loving man had never heard of Kool Aid Pickles (or Koolickles or pickoolas) I knew I had to enlighten him on this Southern delicacy!
Pickle fan? Try this Cuban Cobb Salad too!
What are Koolickles and what do Kool Aid Pickles taste like?
Simply put, Kool Aid Pickles combine the traditional pickle brine with Kool Aid and sugar. After soaking the pickles take on not only the color of the Kool Aid but also the sweet tangy flavor with a vinegar kick!
The general consensus is that Koolickles originated in the Mississippi delta, where you can buy them at many gas stations and convenience stores.
Instructions
We're not talking rocket science here with this fun recipe. You'll only need three ingredients:
- 32 oz jar dill pickle spears
- 1 packet kool aid (flavor of your choice)
- ½ cup sugar
Pour about an inch of pickle juice out of the jar, then add the sugar and Kool Aid. Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the sugar dissolves.
Keep the jars in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, shaking daily to mix.
Tips for best results
- You can use any flavor of kool aid you choose, tropical punch and cherry kool aid are the most common but I've seen them made with lime, orange, lemonade, and watermelon flavors as well!
- You can use Splenda or a sugar substitute if you like to make a lower sugar version of Koolickles.
- I've heard you can use Crystal Light as well but have not personally tried it for my family.
- You can make these with whole dill pickles but I suggest slicing them in half lengthwise before soaking them in the kool-aid bath, otherwise the kool aid will not penetrate all the way to the middle.
Kool aid pickles can stain your hand and anything else they come in contact with!
Storage
According to Still Tasty, you can keep these commercially jarred dill pickles in their pickle jar in the fridge for up to 1 year
Now I'll be 100% honest, I'm NOT a pickle person so these Koolickles are not my cup of tea. They are definitely a polarizing snack-everyone I know either LOVES them or HATES them.
My husband loved them as do my kids and most of my family members, they tell me the taste is similar to sweet relish. They are always a big hit at parties too if you're looking for an attention-getting dish to bring!
Have you tried Kool Aid pickles? Let me know by rating and commenting below, I love hearing from you!
Print
Kool Aid Pickles
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 days
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: snack
- Method: none
- Cuisine: American
Description
Kool Aid Pickles are a sweet and sour mix that put a new spin on a savory classic. Whip up a batch of "Koolickles" today for a fun and tangy treat the entire family will love!
Ingredients
- 32 ounce jar dill pickle spears
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet Kool Aid mix, flavor of your choice
Instructions
- Pour an inch of pickle brine out of the jar.
- Add in Kool aid and sugar to pickle jar.
- Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously until sugar and Kool Aid dissolves completely.
- Place in refrigerator for 5-7 days shaking once a day.
Keywords: Kool Aid Pickles
Crystal says
Wow sounds really interesting!! My son loves pickles so he would love these. Will definitely have to try theses out. Thanks so much for posting!!
Melissa Riker says
Let me know what he thinks if you try them Crystal!
Laura says
Oh my goodness these were crazy good!! My new obsession!!
★★★★★
Amanda Race says
what if I want to forego the sugar?
Melissa Riker says
Hi Amanda, I honestly haven't tried it with just the KoolAid packet, I would think it would be less sweet but still have a ton of flavor. If you try it I'd love to hear how you liked it!
Tamara says
I used sugar free pineapple Crush drink mix. They're fantastic!
★★★★★
Melissa Riker says
Cool! Aren't they so fun to make?
Carrie says
Wowzers! These are my new favorite snack!
★★★★★
Tanicka walls says
Hi i just make kool-aid pickles for time lastnight and it was so much fun doing. My neice been ask do i no how make i told her i can so lastnight i decide to some for her and my kids they won't tropical punch grape and blueberry lemonade can't wait to see how they turn out but i no they going be delicious❤
KD says
Great made with HawaiianPunch, any Fruit Punch or Jungle Juice..
Linda roseberry says
Made some for the first time love love love them
★★★★★
Melissa Riker says
So glad you liked them!!
Tina Marie says
I make the biggest jar (whole) they sell using Cherry flavor, in late spring. Some I cut into spears and some I mince into relish. My kids love them! and they never last the summer. The longer they age the better they get. They're also great on a peanut butter sandwich (I prefer crunchy)
★★★★★
Kingg says
I love it
★★★★★