Southern Kool Aid Pickles AKA Koolickles
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Koolickles are brightly colored candied dill pickles that have had an additional flavor layer of Kool-Aid. The perfect recipe for entertaining kids for a few days during summer break!
Koolickles are any dill pickle that has been marinated in a sweetened Kool-Aid mix. In the beginning, this was a Southern thing, it originated in the Mississippi Delta Region. They are now widely available at county and state fairs around the U.S.
What do Kool-Aid pickles taste like?
They taste like candied dill pickles, minus the pickling spices with a hint of lime, cherry, or whatever flavor of Kool-Aid that’s used.
Now, you might want to know what candied pickles taste like. Well, they taste like bread and butter pickles with a touch of dill pickle tartness.
They make a great snack for the kids as they will love the bright colors and flavors. They are also ideal for a summer party or barbecue as you can pick a flavor of Kool Aid that works with almost anything.
Ingredients
- Dill pickles – do not throw away the juice, you’ll need this for the recipe. We prefer using whole dill pickles. Hamburger slices, dill chips, and even pickle spears can be used.
- Unsweetened powdered drink mix – the flavor choices are limitless.
- Sugar – you’ll want to use plain white granulated sugar.
How to make Southern Kool Aid Pickles
- Remove the pickles from the jar, leaving the pickle liquid in the jar, and arrange them on a cutting board.
- Add the sugar and Kool Aid powder drink mix to the pickle juice in the jar. Shake to dissolve the sugar.
- Cut the pickles into halves, spears, or slices and return them to the jar. To prevent staining countertops, clothes, cabinets, appliances, and other objects, perform this over a sink.
- Replace the lid and chill for at least 1 day in the refrigerator, they will be edible, but it will take 3 to 7 days for the flavor and color to be completely set.
If after 3 days, the pickles aren’t looking at bright as you wanted, you can add more Kool Aid to the jar. You’ll need to give them at least another day in the refrigerator for the color to absorb.
What flavor Kool-Aid can I use?
Any flavor of Kool-Aid can be used for this recipe. It is up to you and your tastes.
Lime and Cherry are the ones we used for the photos. These are our favorites because of their colors. Lime looks a bit radioactive and would be perfect for Halloween! Cherry is great for Christmas or adding something bright red to your Fourth of July or Memorial Day picnic line-up.
We have also used Tropical Punch, Blue raspberry, grape, strawberry, and even watermelon.
No matter which flavor or color you choose, this fun snack is something everyone should try at least once. It’s also fun to watch people try these for the first time. It’s one of those foods that they will either love or hate, not much middle ground here.
What are the best pickles for Koolickles?
My favorite pickles for this recipe are whole dill pickles that are stored at room temperature. Whole Koshers could be used, but we think the extra garlic flavor is a little overpowering.
Jarred halves, slices, and spears can all be used. I like the whole pickles better because I have more room for stuffing the pickles back into the jar this way and I can make sure that the cut sides are exposed to the liquid rather than stuck together.
When using dill slices be sure to shake the jar a couple of times a day to make sure the Kool-Aid marinade gets in between all of the slices.
How do you store Kool-Aid pickles?
For the best flavor and longest shelf life, always store them in the refrigerator. Make sure they stay completely covered in the Kool-Aid and pickling liquid. They’ll be delicious for up to 3 months. To keep them as fresh as possible, always use a clean utensil when grabbing a pickle from the jar.
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Kool-Aid Pickles aka Koolickles
Ingredients
- 32- ounce jar whole dill pickles kosher are fine
- Pickle juice from the jar of pickles
- 2 packets of unsweetened powdered drink mix
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Remove pickles from jar and place on a cutting board.
- Add sugar and powdered drink mix to juice in the jar.
- Replace lid on pickle jar and shake until sugar is dissolved.
- Cut pickles into halves or quarters and place back into the jar. Do this over a sink to prevent staining counter tops, clothes, cabinets, appliances, and anything else in the path.
- Replace lid and place into refrigerator for at least 1 day. Flavor and color should be fully established in 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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This recipe was written and tested by a human.
Editor: Oliver Baysinger
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.