These Crispy Homemade Onion Rings are the ultimate crunchy, golden, and flavorful snack or side dish! Made with sweet onions, a perfectly seasoned batter, and a crispy panko coating, these onion rings are baked or fried to perfection. Whether you’re serving them with burgers, as a game-day snack, or just craving a delicious treat, this recipe is easy, customizable, and way better than store-bought!
These homemade onion rings are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor thanks to a seasoned buttermilk batter and panko breadcrumb coating. They can be fried for maximum crunch or baked for a lighter version—either way, they’re irresistible! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate snack.
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🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Onion Rings:
- 2 large sweet onions (Vidalia or yellow)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
For the Wet Batter:
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
For the Coating:
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup cornmeal (extra crunch)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
For Frying (If Not Baking):
- 2 cups neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
For Serving:
- Dipping sauces (ketchup, ranch, spicy mayo, BBQ)
- Fresh parsley (garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Onions
- Peel and slice onions into ½-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and discard the small inner pieces.
2️⃣ Set Up Breading Stations
- Dry Mix: In a bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Wet Batter: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce.
- Coating: In a third bowl, mix panko, cornmeal, onion powder, and salt.
3️⃣ Coat the Onion Rings
- Step 1: Toss onion rings in the flour mixture (shaking off excess).
- Step 2: Dip into the wet batter, letting excess drip off.
- Step 3: Press into the panko mixture, ensuring full coverage.
- Step 4: Place on a wire rack and let sit for 10 mins (helps coating stick better).
4️⃣ Cook (Choose Frying or Baking)
🍳 Frying Method (Extra Crispy)
- Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry rings in batches (don’t overcrowd) for 2-3 mins per side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while hot.
🔥 Baking Method (Healthier)
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray lightly with oil.
- Bake for 10 mins, flip, then bake 10-15 mins more until crispy.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips
- Best served fresh (they lose crispiness over time).
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Reheat:
- Oven: 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 mins to re-crisp.
- Air Fryer: 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 mins.
- Freezing: Not recommended (coating gets soggy).
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🧰 Equipment Used
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- 3 mixing bowls (for breading stations)
- Wire rack (for drying)
- Deep fryer or heavy pot (for frying)
- Baking sheet & parchment paper (for baking)
- Tongs or slotted spoon
💡 Pro Tips for the Best Onion Rings
✔ Use sweet onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla) for the best flavor.
✔ Double-coat for extra crunch (dip in batter & crumbs twice).
✔ Don’t overcrowd the fryer (cooks unevenly & lowers oil temp).
✔ For extra crispiness, add 1 tbsp cornstarch to the flour mix.
✔ Make them gluten-free by using almond flour & gluten-free panko.
Enjoy your crispy, golden, homemade onion rings! 🍟🔥
🧅 Crispy Homemade Onion Rings (Better Than Fast Food!)
Description
These homemade onion rings are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor thanks to a seasoned buttermilk batter and panko breadcrumb coating. They can be fried for maximum crunch or baked for a lighter version—either way, they’re irresistible! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate snack.
Ingredients
For the Onion Rings:
For the Wet Batter:
For the Coating:
For Frying (If Not Baking):
For Serving:
Instructions
Prep the Onions
- Peel and slice onions into ½-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and discard the small inner pieces.
Set Up Breading Stations
- Dry Mix: In a bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Wet Batter: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce.
- Coating: In a third bowl, mix panko, cornmeal, onion powder, and salt.
Coat the Onion Rings
- Step 1: Toss onion rings in the flour mixture (shaking off excess).
- Step 2: Dip into the wet batter, letting excess drip off.
- Step 3: Press into the panko mixture, ensuring full coverage.
- Step 4: Place on a wire rack and let sit for 10 mins (helps coating stick better).
Cook (Choose Frying or Baking)
-
🍳 Frying Method (Extra Crispy)
- Heat oil in a deep pot or fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry rings in batches (don’t overcrowd) for 2-3 mins per side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt while hot.
-
🔥 Baking Method (Healthier)
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray lightly with oil.
- Bake for 10 mins, flip, then bake 10-15 mins more until crispy.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 1g5%
- Cholesterol 25mg9%
- Sodium 400mg17%
- Total Carbohydrate 35g12%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 5g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips
- Best served fresh (they lose crispiness over time).
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Reheat:
- Oven: 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 mins to re-crisp.
- Air Fryer: 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 mins.
- Freezing: Not recommended (coating gets soggy).
