Lay’s Fried Pickles with Ranch Chips Are Back!
Updated: Feb. 18, 2021
This fair food-inspired snack is back. Lay's Fried Pickles with Ranch potato chips have returned to Sam's Club!
The rumors are true: The rarest of Lay’s potato chips has been spotted at Sam’s Club, and we’re too pumped!
You heard that right. The chips made brief appearances in 2019 and 2020, and now Lay’s Fried Pickles with Ranch chips are back on the market. The pickle-y flavor is complemented by the crunch of batter and the cool glide of ranch dressing. According to Lay’s, it’s “inspired by a deep-fried favorite at Midwest state fairs.”
Psst… You can make real fried pickles at home.
Where Did This Flavor Come From?
The Fried Pickles with Ranch chips might not sound familiar to you. They first appeared as part of the Lay’s Taste of America contest, in which consumers voted on their favorite regional flavors. The contest brought us eight little miracles to try: Cajun Spice, Chesapeake Bay Crab Spice, Chili con Queso, Deep Dish Pizza, New England Lobster Roll, Pimento Cheese, Sweet Thai Chili and, of course, Fried Pickles with Ranch.
Will the other seven flavors be making a comeback alongside our favorite fried pickles? There’s no telling, but our fingers are crossed!
Where to Find the Chips
If Lay’s taught us anything last year, it’s that this flavor probably won’t be around too long. As far as we know, though, it could be a permanent addition to the Lay’s family. Sam’s Club has Fried Pickles with Ranch chips right now at select locations for pick-up. The 15-oz. bag will only cost you $3.49, so it’s a steal for a rare snack!
We don’t know if and when these chips will be available at other retailers, but we think this Midwestern treat might be worth the Sam’s Club membership.
Need Fair Food Fast? Try These Copycat Recipes
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Deep-Fried CookiesMy kids love this delicious, indulgent treat. I like to give the batter a kick by adding a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. — Margarita Torres, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Blue-Ribbon Apple PieThis pie is special to me because I won a blue ribbon for it at the local fair and was able to compete at the state farm show. —Collette Gaugler, Fogelsville, Pennsylvania
Hot & Spicy Roasted Turkey LegsWho doesn’t love turkey legs at a street fair? Why wait for the next fair when you can make incredible turkey legs at home? Grab the seasonings and begin! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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State Fair SubsMy college roommate and I first ate these meaty sandwiches at the Iowa State Fair. After a little experimenting, we re-created the recipe. We ate the subs often because they were fast to fix between classes and didn't break our next-to-nothing grocery budget. —Christi Ross, Mill Creek, Oklahoma
Baked Elephant EarsMy mother-in-law handed down this recipe from her mother. These are a special treat—even better, I think, than those at a carnival or festival. —Delores Baeten, Downers Grove, Illinois
Southern Fried OkraGolden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Strawberry Rhubarb PieWhile growing up on a farm, I often ate rhubarb, so it's natural for me to use it in a pie. I prefer to use lard for the flaky pie crust and thin, red rhubarb stalks for the filling. These two little secrets helped this strawberry rhubarb pie recipe win top honors at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. —Marianne Carlson, Jefferson, Iowa
Cinnamon Caramel ApplesWe used cinnamon and chocolate to give a fun and tasty twist to traditional caramel apples. Rolled in nuts, coconut or colorful candies, they'll delight kids of all ages. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Nutella DoughnutsYou can make these bites in advance and refrigerate them before frying. Just be sure to bring the dough to room temperature before frying. —Renee Greene, Smithtown, New York
Chocolate-Covered BaconIt's a hit at state fairs everywhere, but you can make this chocolate-covered bacon at home. Some say bacon is perfect as is, but chocolate makes everything better! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen chocolate-covered bacon
Italian Sausage HoagiesIn southeastern Wisconsin, our cuisine is influenced by both Germans and Italians who immigrated to this area. When preparing this recipe, we often substitute German bratwurst for the Italian sausage, so we blend the two influences with delicious results. —Craig Wachs, Racine, Wisconsin
Candy Craze Ice Cream SandwichesThese ice cream sandwiches have a little bit of everything in them to satisfy all your cravings. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream PuffsThis recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can't eat just one…hey are so addicting & they're perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Barbecued BurgersI can't take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband's uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything...it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio
Grilled Seasoned BratwurstWhether you're hosting a picnic at home or at a park, cook these bratwurst on the stovetop first. Then you can quickly brown them on the grill. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice CreamNo matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Originally Published: February 18, 2021
