The Ultimate Crunchy Snack
Golden, crunchy, and irresistibly delicious, these Crispy Fried Onion Rings are the perfect appetizer, snack, or side dish! Whether you’re serving them alongside burgers, hot dogs, or just dipping them in your favorite sauce, these onion rings are light, crispy, and packed with flavor.
I love this recipe because it’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and gives you that perfect crispy bite every time. Say goodbye to soggy onion rings and hello to restaurant-quality crunch at home!
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Q: What type of onion is best for onion rings?
Sweet onions like Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Maui onions work best because they add a mild, slightly sweet flavor. However, yellow onions are a great alternative.
Q: How do I make my batter stick better?
Make sure the onions are completely dry, and coat them in flour first before dipping them into the batter. This helps the batter cling better to the rings.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Fried onion rings are best served fresh, but you can reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes to crisp them back up.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or cornmeal.
Q: What dipping sauces go well with onion rings?
Try ranch dressing, garlic aioli, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or classic ketchup!
What You Need to Make Crispy Fried Onion Rings
Ingredients:
- 2 large sweet onions, sliced into ½-inch rings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
How to Make Crispy Fried Onion Rings
Step 1: Prep the Onions
- Slice onions into ½-inch thick rings and separate them.
- Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and cold sparkling water.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth, thick batter.
Step 3: Bread the Onion Rings
- Dip each onion ring into the batter, letting the excess drip off.
- Coat the ring in panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet while you finish coating all the rings.
Step 4: Fry the Onion Rings
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the onion rings in small batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy the crunch!
Tips for the Best Onion Rings
✔ Use sparkling water – It creates a lighter, crispier batter.
✔ Don’t overcrowd the pan – Fry in small batches so the rings cook evenly.
✔ For extra crunch – Double dip the onion rings: first in flour, then batter, then breadcrumbs.
✔ Season immediately – Sprinkle with a little salt as soon as they come out of the oil.
✔ Want to bake instead? – Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Reader Reviews
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Emma L. – “Super crispy and better than any restaurant! The panko makes them extra crunchy.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 James K. – “Easy to make and so flavorful! The batter stuck perfectly to the onions.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Samantha W. – “These were a huge hit at our BBQ! I made extra, and they were gone in minutes!”
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Lucas R. – “I used the air fryer, and they still turned out crispy! Highly recommend.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Jessica T. – “This is now my go-to onion ring recipe! Perfect crunch and flavor!”
Printable Recipe
Crispy Fried Onion Rings
These Crispy Fried Onion Rings are golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor! Made with a light batter and panko breadcrumbs, they’re the perfect snack or side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet onions, sliced into ½-inch rings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Onions
- Slice onions into ½-inch thick rings and separate them.
- Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and cold sparkling water.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until you have a smooth, thick batter.
Step 3: Bread the Onion Rings
- Dip each onion ring into the batter, letting the excess drip off.
- Coat the ring in panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet while you finish coating all the rings.
Step 4: Fry the Onion Rings
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the onion rings in small batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy the crunch!
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If You Enjoyed This Recipe, Please Share!
If you loved these Crispy Fried Onion Rings, don’t keep them to yourself! Share them on social media, pin them on Pinterest, or send them to a fellow onion ring lover. I’d love to see your versions—tag me if you try them!
