Craving a crunchy, golden treat? Onion Rings are a Crispy Onion Snack that deliver a perfect balance of tender onions and a shatteringly crisp coating in these golden onion rings. Easy to make with pantry staples, this fried onion rings recipe is perfect for game nights, cookouts, or a fun side dish. Let’s make these Onion Rings and enjoy their irresistible crunch!
Why You’ll Love Onion Rings
- Perfect Crunch: Crispy coating with a tender onion center.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday pantry staples.
- Versatile Cooking: Fry in a pan or use an air fryer for less oil.
- Customizable: Add spices or swap coatings to suit your taste.
- Fun to Make: A hands-on recipe that’s great for gatherings.
Ingredients for Onion Rings
Here’s what you’ll need for these crispy onion rings (serves 4):
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) buttermilk (or 1 ½ cups milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (90g) panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (30g) cornmeal (optional, for extra crunch)
- Vegetable oil (for frying) or oil spray (for air frying)
Equipment
- Large skillet (for frying) or air fryer
- Three shallow bowls or plates
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Paper towels
Ingredient Tips
- Onions: Use yellow or sweet onions for a mild, sweet flavor in these golden onion rings.
- Buttermilk: Soak onions to soften and help coating stick; use milk with vinegar as a substitute.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko ensures crispiness; mix with cornmeal for extra texture.
- Flour: Swap for gluten-free flour for a gluten-free fried onion rings version.
- Oil: Use neutral oil (e.g., canola) for frying; spray lightly for air frying.
Directions
Let’s make these Onion Rings—a crunchy, delicious snack!
Prep Onions
- I peel 2 large onions and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds, separating them into rings.
- I save small inner rings for another dish.
Soak Onions
- I place the onion rings in a bowl with 1 ½ cups buttermilk and soak for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge) to soften and improve coating adhesion.
Set Up Breading Station
I prepare three shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: 1 cup flour, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper.
- Bowl 2: 2 lightly beaten eggs.
- Bowl 3: 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs mixed with ¼ cup cornmeal (if using).
I drain the onion rings, then dredge each in flour, dip in egg, and coat in panko, pressing to adhere. I use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to stay clean.
Fry Onion Rings
- I heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F/175°C).
- I fry a few rings at a time, avoiding crowding, for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- I transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt immediately.
Air Fry Option
- For a lighter version, I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- I spray breaded rings lightly with oil spray, place in a single layer, and air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- I work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Serve
- I serve the golden onion rings hot with ketchup, ranch, or a dipping sauce of choice.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes soaking)
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes (frying) or 10–12 minutes (air frying)
- Total Time: ~45–50 minutes (frying) or 40–45 minutes (air frying)
- Servings: 4 (about 6–8 rings per serving)
- Calories: ~250–300 kcal per serving (frying), ~200–250 kcal (air frying)
- Macros per Serving: 30g carbs, 8g protein, 12g fat (frying) or 8g fat (air frying), 2g fiber
Variations
Try these twists for your fried onion rings:
- Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne or chipotle powder to the flour mix.
- Extra Crunch: Mix crushed cornflakes with panko, inspired by LaylaCooks’ Cauliflower Rice Spinach Artichoke Casserole.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free crispy onion rings version.
- Vegan: Swap buttermilk for plant-based milk with vinegar and use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
- Beer-Battered: Replace panko with a batter of 1 cup flour and 1 cup lager for softer golden onion rings.
Storage
I store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To revive crispiness, I reheat in a 400°F (200°C) oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes. I avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. Onion rings are best fresh and not recommended for freezing.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve on a platter or stack in a basket for a fun vibe.
- Dipping Sauces: Pair with ketchup, spicy mayo, or LaylaCooks’ ranch-inspired dressing from Cucumber Blueberry Feta Salad.
- Pairing: Enjoy with LaylaCooks’ Vanilla Raspberry Iced Latte or a burger.
- Portion Size: 6–8 rings per person as a side or snack.
- Occasions: Perfect for game nights, cookouts, or casual dinners.
FAQs
Here are answers to common questions about this dish:
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free Crispy Onion.
How do I keep them crispy in the air fryer?
Avoid overcrowding, spray lightly with oil, and air fry at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, for Crispy Onion.
What are the best dipping sauces?
Ketchup, ranch, spicy mayo, or sriracha aioli pair perfectly with these Crispy Onion.
More Side Dish Recipes
- Honey Roasted Butternut Squash
- Roasted Carrots Recipe
- Crispy Smashed Potato Salad
- Broccoli Risotto Recipe
Conclusion
Crispy Onion Rings are a crunchy, flavorful treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. This crispy onion snack delivers a golden, shatteringly crisp coating with a tender onion center. Fry or air fry this fried onion rings recipe and enjoy their irresistible crunch!
Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow or sweet onions
- 1 ½ cups 360ml buttermilk (or 1 ½ cups milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 cup 125g all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups 90g panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup 30g cornmeal (optional, for extra crunch)
- Vegetable oil for frying or oil spray (for air frying)
Instructions
Prep Onions
- I peel 2 large onions and slice them into ½-inch thick rounds, separating them into rings. I save small inner rings for another dish.
Soak Onions
- I place the onion rings in a bowl with 1 ½ cups buttermilk and soak for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge) to soften and improve coating adhesion.
Set Up Breading Station
- I prepare three shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: 1 cup flour, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper.
- Bowl 2: 2 lightly beaten eggs.
- Bowl 3: 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs mixed with ¼ cup cornmeal (if using).
- I drain the onion rings, then dredge each in flour, dip in egg, and coat in panko, pressing to adhere. I use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to stay clean.
Fry Onion Rings
- I heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F/175°C). I fry a few rings at a time, avoiding crowding, for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. I transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt immediately.
Air Fry Option
- For a lighter version, I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). I spray breaded rings lightly with oil spray, place in a single layer, and air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. I work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Serve
- I serve the golden onion rings hot with ketchup, ranch, or a dipping sauce of choice.
Notes
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