Once you discover how easy it is to make onion rings at home, you’ll happily make them whenever you want!
I spent six years of my youth in El Paso, Texas, and that’s where I fell in love with onion rings. We had a drive-thru restaurant there that made the best hamburgers and onion rings. Sadly, when I visited there decades later, the restaurant was on the way out, and the food was terrible. At least I have my memories—and this onion rings recipe—to keep me going.
These days, I can also visit a restaurant at Disney Springs in Orlando for delicious—yet very greasy—gluten-free (GF) onion rings. I get them with gluten-free fish and chips or chicken tenders. But, since everything is greasy, I don’t do that very often. I prefer to make them at home with this recipe. So, if you’re wondering if you can use this recipe with gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, the answer is yes! All you have to do is change to your favorite GF brands of those two items. You can even use plant-based milk if you want a dairy-free version.
The secret to making crispy onion rings is in the coating. That initial flour dusting is crucial. I highly recommend tapping your flour-dusted onion ring to remove any excess flour before dipping it into the egg-milk mixture. Then let any excess liquid drain from the onion before coating it with the breadcrumbs. Don’t be skimpy here. You want a good layer of coating—but not too much so that it all falls off into the oil. As you’re frying, be wary of any coating that starts to float loosely in the oil. You’ll want to remove that to avoid it burning and giving the oil—and, subsequently, the rings — a burnt taste.
Onion rings bring savory onion flavor to any meal and are great atop burgers with a smear of barbecue sauce. However, if you want to flavor your rings, the best way is to add spices to your flour. You can keep it simple with some salt, pepper, and paprika, or take it up a notch with onion powder, garlic powder, and some smoked paprika. Or, if you are enjoying them with an Italian meal, add some Italian spices and garlic powder to the flour. Herbs and spices such as these can also be added to the panko breadcrumbs for even more flavor.
Air-fry your onion rings!
One of the reasons I love making this onion rings recipe at home is that I can use my air fryer instead of frying them in oil. I still get that wonderful crispy exterior and deliciously soft center—but without the extra calories from frying in all that oil. The amount of oil sprayed on the rings is far less than that used for frying. I have a toaster-oven-style air fryer, and cook them at 400°F. You may find that your air fryer performs best at 375°F. Every model is different.
The secret to making perfect onion rings in an air fryer is to first spray the basket with oil. Next, make sure they are in a single layer and not touching each other. You want the air to circulate between the rings. Spray the tops with oil, then again halfway through—then turn them over and spray the other side. Once your onion rings are done, place them on a wire cooling rack to let air circulate—otherwise, the steam will cause them to soften if you place them hot on a plate.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers from this onion rings recipe should be cooled to room temperature, then placed in an airtight container with a paper towel between each layer. Do not leave them at room temperature longer than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days, and reheat them in a 375°F oven or air fryer until hot and crispy again. You can freeze the cooled onion rings by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash-freezing them. Transfer them to a freezer-safe zip-top bag and seal tightly, removing excess air. Freeze the onion rings for up to 2 months, and reheat them from frozen in a 375°F oven or air fryer.
Similar recipes to try
If you love this onion rings recipe, and want to check out some others, try our Keto Onion Rings, Blooming Onion, and Baked Onion Rings. While you’re at it, make a batch of Air-Fryer Fried Pickles to go with them. And, whatever you do, don’t forget to make some Onion Ring Sauce for dipping. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to plain ketchup again!
Onion Rings Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- Salt to taste
- 1 large yellow onion peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Preferred sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Place flour in a shallow dish. In another dish, mix the beaten eggs with milk. In a third dish, combine the breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt.
- Dust each onion ring lightly with flour. Dip it into the egg-milk mixture, then coat evenly with breadcrumbs.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pot or skillet to 375°F. Fry the rings in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown.
- Remove the rings onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with a bit more salt. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if desired.
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