Today we’re preparing a recipe that needs no introduction – Fried Onion Rings. This is my go to recipe for onion rings. It’s simple, delicious, and never fails to impress the guests. So, whether your throwing a backyard bash with burgers and hotdogs, or are looking for a hardy side to steak, this recipe has got you covered.
Ingredient Notes and Tips
1) Cayenne in Onion Rings? Yes. The cayenne is the ‘punch’ behind the ‘kick’ in today’s recipe – see what I did there? While you can leave out the cayenne, I strongly recommend leaving it in, if only because it gives a nice bit of ‘smoky earthiness’ to the rings, with just a touch of background heat.
2) Paprika in Onion Rings? Largely the same logic as the cayenne, except the paprika leans more into a deep smoky flavor as opposed to heat.
3) The Onions. For onion rings, the go-to onion is large white and yellow onions. You want an onion that is neither terribly sharp nor terribly sweet. While you ‘can’ use pretty much any onion for onion rings, trust me and stick to basic white or yellow onions.
4) The Oil. When frying, you almost always want to default to a basic vegetable or corn oil. While I ‘do’ fry things like zucchini flowers in olive oil, those are the exception rather than the rule. However, when frying something like calamari, onion rings, or French Fries, the temperature at which your frying exceeds the ‘smoke point’ of olive oil – which is around 375-410 degrees Fahrenheit – whereas corn oil can reach up to 450 degrees before it begins to ‘smoke.’ This essentially means that the oil begins to burn, breaking down chemically, and giving your food a rancid taste and sapping its nutrients. Curiously, on the other hand, the lower the quality your olive oil, the ‘higher’ its smoke point. In fact, ‘Light’ olive oil actually has a higher smoke point than vegetable or corn oil (a searing 480 degrees Fahrenheit), while Extra Virgin Cold Pressed olive oil will start to burn at merely a ‘low simmer.’ However, I would definitely ‘not’ recommend using light olive for frying, and instead simply opt for either vegetable or corn oil here.
Serving Suggestions
Yes, I know, I know, they’re onion rings, and you don’t need a whole section of ‘tips’ on how to eat them.
However, if you ‘do’ feel like getting a little creative, or like kicking these up into high gear, here are a few suggestions for doing exactly that:
1) Buffalo Dipping Sauce. I’m of the opinion that buffalo sauce is severely ‘typecast,’ since I believe it often gets overlooked when not in it’s ‘chicken wing incarnation.’ For a quick and easy buffalo dipping sauce, which would pair great with today’s onion rings, give this recipe a try.
2) Spicy Honey Dipping Sauce. This is one of my absolute favorite ‘quick and easy’ dipping sauces. It’s literally just two ingredients. Head over to my Instagram to grab the recipe. Pro-Tip: It also goes great on chicken.
3) Beef Au Jus Sandwiches. Rather than the typical hotdog or burger, consider Beef Au Jus Sandwiches, which feature thinly sliced roast beef piled onto club rolls with melted Jarlsberg, which is then topped with an Au Jus sauce (a mix of butter, Worcestershire Sauce, beef drippings, and black pepper), and finished with a spicy Giardiniera, which is a mix of grilled jalapenos, sweet onions, carrots, plenty of garlic, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper.
Other Great Fry-Fests From Living the Gourmet
1) Oven Baking vs Frying. My gratuitously in-depth analysis of the difference between frying and oven baking, and which is better for what recipe, as well as the general pros and cons of both.
2) Spicy Fried Chicken. My favorite take on this perennial classic. We use corn starch to give the chicken coating a nice crisp, and add in cayenne and hot sauce to the batter to give the ultra-crispy coating a nice kick.
3) Oven Baked Chicken. I know I promised a fry-fest, but this chicken recipe is the oven-baked version of my spicy fried chicken. I love both, so take your pick of the two and let me know down below which you like the best!
4) Fried Cauliflower Balls. My favorite way to prepare cauliflower is as bite-sized fried delights. Drizzled with some fresh lemon, and served with a homemade tzatziki, and you’ve got a real treat that’s great as either as a starter or a side.
5) Italian-Style Fried Shrimp Balls. These are as delicious as they sound. Prepared with fresh basil, fresh lemon, Romano cheese, and Italian parsley, these a delightful addition to any starter spread.
Crispy Fried Onion Rings
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen onion rings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion - sliced into 1/4 inch thickness
For the Batter:
- 1 cup flour - sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 egg yolk
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoons Corn Oil
- 1 egg white
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- Corn Oil - for frying
Instructions
- Slice onion to ½ inch thickness and separate into rings.
- Place the rings in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let the rings stand for about 30 minutes.
- Drain and spread on a clean kitchen towel to absorb the water.
- Sift the flour along with the baking powder and seasonings.
- Beat the egg yolk in a medium sized bowl and stir in the milk and corn oil.
- Add the flour mixture and stir until smooth.
- Beat the egg white until soft peaks are formed, then fold into the batter.
- Heat about 1 inch of corn oil in a large cast iron frying pan.
- Dip the onion rings into the batter, letting the excess batter drip into the bowl.
- Place several rings into the heated oil and fry until a beautiful golden color is achieved; carefully turning once.
- Drain on prepared paper towels.
- Serve with your favorite condiments.
Notes
*Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Did you make this recipe?
If so, let me know in the comments down below, or post a picture to Instagram, or to Pinterest, and I’ll give you a shoutout on Instagram, or post your pin to one of my Pinterest boards!
angiesrecipes says
I love them just as they are and I could eat the whole darn batch at one set! So addictive!! These look so crisp and incredibly delicious.
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you dear Angie.
kumamonjeng says
These look yummy and glad to find out the recipe. I have to give it a go as my family love onion rings and we usually buy from outside.
Catherine Pappas says
These are easy to make and I think you would enjoy them with your family.
Melissa Cushing says
These look so delicious and honestly they look like the onion rings form one of my favorite barbecue places to eat at in Charleston SC! I have pinned the pics and am grabbing the recipe so thank you for sharing. They look so good and will be perfect with burgers this weekend.
Catherine Pappas says
I hope that you enjoy them if you give them a try. Thank you for your kind words.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, My wife would kill for these great looking onion rings! As for me, I just don't like onions except as a seasoning in powder or flake form... Makes my wife unhappy! Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Catherine Pappas says
I hope that your wife enjoys them Dave if Laurie gives them a try. Have a great week ahead my friend.
Annette, 3 Little Buttons says
Yum! Those onion rings look so crisp and moorish. We love them - especially with a BBQ or burgers and fries!
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you like them if you give the recipe a try.
Kristine Nicole Alessandra says
I will make these today. I don't know if it is coincidence or what, but my husband just asked if I could get some large white onions today so we can make deep fried crispy onion rings. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Catherine Pappas says
I hope that you enjoy the recipe and thank you for visiting.
Melanie williams says
Oh my gosh, these look totally amazing!! I could just eat these for sure x
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind comments. I like onion rings too.
Stephanie says
Yum yum yum!!! These look amazing, and something I would love to make
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you for your kind words. I hope that you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try.
Amanda says
These onion rings couldn't be more perfect! The batter has the perfect texture, and they fried up beautifully.
kelly says
Oh i LOVE hi evade onion rings, this recipes looks pretty simple and easy to.do.
Anna says
Oh I love onion rings! It is probably my favourite side to order in the restaurants, but I never actually tried to make some at home. Your recipe and instructions look very easy to follow, and I love that serving suggestion with honey spiced dip! Yummo! Can't wait to give it a go!
Chef Dennis says
You found my weakiness with those Onion Rings! I'll definitely be trying your recipe!
Denise says
They are incredible looking Fried Onion Rings! I am saving this recipe for my next burger night dinner.
Paula Montenegro says
I love that it's your go-to recipe and it has cayenne, I'm dying to try it, they look so succulent! My grandmother used to say that a pinch of cayenne made food better, haha. This is just the recipe I was looking for!
Heidy says
Wow is what I have to say! These onion rings did not disappoint! I loved the crisp batter, and so did the family. These should be renamed "Award-winning onion rings" Saving this recipe!
Jenny says
I could eat the whole batch! So good! We really enjoyed the onion rings and will be making them again and again. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.
Elaine says
It's been such a long time since I last made fried onion rings. For some reason I completely forgot about this appetizer, so really happy I can fix the situation with your recipe. It looks yum!
Cory Varga says
Super delicious recipe. Easy to make, a fantastic result. Lovely!
LuciWest says
Mmmm can't wait to make those onion rings at home... actually can't wait to eat them!