Description

Crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor, these homemade onion rings are the perfect snack or side dish. Made with fresh yellow onions, a seasoned batter, and panko crumbs, they deliver an unbeatable crunch straight from the fryer or oven. This recipe uses everyday pantry staples and can be easily customized with different spices and cooking methods to suit your taste and lifestyle.

Ingredients

Scale

Onions

2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2 inch rings

Coating

2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for dusting)

Batter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Onion Rings: Peel the outer skins off the 2 large yellow onions, then slice each into 1/2 inch thick rings. Carefully separate the rings with your hands and set them aside on a plate or paper towel to dry slightly.
Set Up Flour for Dusting: Place 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour in a large bowl. This initial dusting helps the batter adhere to the onion rings.
Make the Batter: In a second bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup milk, and 1 large egg until smooth and lump-free, resembling a pancake batter in consistency. Add 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well to combine the flavorful spices.
Prepare Panko Coating: In a third bowl, pour 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs. This final layer provides the signature crunch.
Coat the Onion Rings: Take each onion ring, dust it lightly in the flour bowl, dip it into the seasoned batter, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Lay the coated rings on a sheet tray in a single layer.
Heat Oil for Frying: Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add about 1 cup of canola oil. Heat the oil to approximately 350°F, testing by dropping a bit of batter in to check for immediate bubbling.
Fry the Onion Rings: Carefully add the battered rings to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry each side for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Drain and Season: Remove fried rings with tongs or a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil. While still hot, sprinkle with kosher salt for extra flavor.
Serve: Serve the onion rings hot with your choice of dip, such as ranch, spicy mayo, honey mustard, or garlic aioli.

Notes

For lighter onion rings, bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes on a parchment-lined tray, flipping halfway and spraying with cooking spray to crisp.
Do not overcrowd the frying pan to maintain oil temperature and ensure crispiness.
Use a cooking thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfect frying results.
Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the fridge and re-crisp them in an air fryer or oven.
Adjust spices in the batter to your taste for sweetness or heat variations.
Choose yellow onions for mild flavor or sweet onions like Vidalia for natural sweetness.
Ensure onion rings are evenly sliced to about 1/2 inch thickness for consistent cooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: onion rings, homemade onion rings, crispy onion rings, crunchy onion rings, fried snacks, panko onion rings, side dish, appetizer, snack recipe