Description
Craving restaurant-quality onion rings with an ultra-crispy, golden-brown coating? These homemade onion rings are perfectly crunchy on the outside, tender and sweet on the inside, and so much better than anything store-bought. With a simple batter, a few frying tips, and the right seasonings, you’ll get extra crispy onion rings every time!
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow onions)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for flavor)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup cold sparkling water (or cold club soda)
- 1 large egg (optional, for a richer batter)
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for an ultra-crispy coating)
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
Instructions
1. Slice the Onions
- Peel the onions and cut them into ½-inch thick rings.
- Separate the rings and set aside.
2. Make the Batter
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
- Gradually whisk in cold sparkling water (and egg if using) until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but not too heavy.
3. Prepare Panko Coating
- Place panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl.
- This step ensures extra crunch!
4. Coat the Onion Rings
- Dip each onion ring into the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
- Press into panko breadcrumbs, coating well for a crispy texture.
5. Heat the Oil
- In a deep pot or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Test by dropping a small bit of batter—if it sizzles and rises, the oil is ready.
6. Fry the Onion Rings
- Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. Serve & Enjoy!
- Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
One of the biggest challenges with onion rings is keeping them crispy after frying. Here are a few pro tips:
✅ Pro Tips for Extra Crunch
✔️ Use Cornstarch in the Batter – It makes the coating lighter and crunchier.
✔️ Keep the Batter Cold – Cold batter prevents excessive oil absorption.
✔️ Double Coat with Panko – Adds a thick, crispy texture.
✔️ Fry at the Right Temperature – 350°F is ideal; too low makes them greasy, too high burns them.
✔️ Drain on a Wire Rack – Paper towels can trap steam and make them soggy.
How to Keep Onion Rings Crispy for Longer:
- If making in advance, place fried onion rings on a baking sheet in a 250°F oven to keep them warm and crispy.
- Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: AMERICAN
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Onion Rings
- Calories: 275kcal
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 3g