Homemade Onion Rings—Crispy, Crunchy, and Full of Flavor Recipe
These homemade onion rings are crispy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. Coated in a seasoned batter and panko breadcrumbs, then fried to golden perfection, they make a perfect appetizer or snack that’s easy to prepare at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 16-20 onion rings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced into ½ inch rings
Dry Ingredients for Dusting and Coating
- ½ cup flour (for dusting)
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Batter
- ½ cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For Frying
- About 1 cup canola oil
- Kosher salt (for seasoning after frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Peel the outer skins of 2 large yellow onions and slice each into ½ inch thick rings. Carefully separate the rings from each other by hand.
- Prepare the Dry Flour Dusting: Place ½ cup flour in a large bowl to coat the onion rings before dipping them into the batter.
- Make the Batter: In a second bowl, whisk together ½ cup flour, 1 cup milk, and 1 large egg until smooth. Add ½ tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cayenne, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Prepare the Panko Coating: Pour 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs into a third bowl for the final coating step.
- Coat the Onion Rings: First, dust each onion ring lightly in the plain flour, then dip it into the seasoned batter ensuring it’s fully covered. Next, coat the battered ring evenly with panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated rings on a sheet tray to prepare for frying.
- Heat the Oil: Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add about 1 cup of canola oil. Allow it to heat until hot but not smoking—around 350°F (175°C) is ideal for frying.
- Fry the Onion Rings: Gently drop the coated onion rings into the hot oil in batches without overcrowding the pan. Fry each side for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip them carefully.
- Drain and Season: Remove the fried onion rings with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined tray to drain excess oil. Immediately season with kosher salt while still hot.
- Serve: Serve the onion rings hot with your choice of dip such as ranch, ketchup, or spicy mayo.
Notes
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid soggy onion rings.
- Do not overcrowd the pan as that lowers the oil temperature.
- You can keep fried onion rings warm in a low oven while frying the rest of the batch.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with a plant-based alternative and ensure batter ingredients suit your needs.
- Serve immediately after frying for the crispiest texture.
Keywords: onion rings, homemade onion rings, crispy onion rings, fried onion rings, appetizer, snack
