About the Recipe
Growing up, onion rings were always my go-to over fries. There’s just something about that crispy batter and the sweet, tender bite of onion inside. For me, the perfect onion rings are light, crunchy, and have just the right balance of batter and onion. This recipe nails it every time—crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. Whether you’re making them as a snack to share or a side for your favorite burger, these rings won’t disappoint. Let’s dive in and whip up a batch of these golden bites!
Light and Crispy Perfection: These onion rings aren’t greasy—they’re golden, crunchy, and airy.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of them in your kitchen already.
Versatile Snack or Side: Pair with burgers, sandwiches, or just eat them by the handful with your favorite dip.
Crowd-Pleaser: Make a batch, and watch them disappear. They’re that good!
What You'll Love
Can I make these in an air fryer? Yes! Just lightly spray them with oil, and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t be exactly like the deep-fried version, but still crispy and tasty.
What kind of onions should I use? Sweet onions, like Vidalia, are a classic choice, but yellow onions work well too if you want a bit more bite.
How do I keep them crispy? Serve them right away for the best crunch! If you’re making a batch ahead, keep them warm in a low oven (about 200°F/95°C) until ready to serve.
Can I freeze leftovers? Yep! Freeze them on a tray first, then transfer to a bag or container. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a quick fix.
Frequently asked Questions
Ingredients
Onion Rings:
2 Yellow Onions (sliced)
1 1/4 cup Self-Rising Flour
3/4 cup Carbonated Water
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Paprika
1/4 teaspoon Ground Coriander
4-6 cups Vegetable Oil for Frying
Dip:
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Pickled Jalepenos (roughly chopped)
1/2 cup Fresh Coriander (finely chopped)
1 Lime (juiced)
Preparation
Onion rings are one of the easiest snacks to make and what I love is that you can change up the batter and they end up being completely different. One of my favorites is the classic crisp onion ring with a simple batter crust.
My favorite way to get a light and crispy shell is to use carbonated soda water. Along with the self-rising flour, it helps in the rise and gives a delicate fluffy batter. I also use it in my waffle recipe. It is devine!
Back to the onion rings.
If you are making these, please make sure to be extra careful as you will be using hot oil to fry them. Parent supervision is highly recommended here!
First, make sure to peel and slice your onions. I like making my onion rings on the thinner side 1-2cm wide. But if you prefer thicker, juicier bites, make them as thick as you like.
Time to prepare the batter. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, salt and spices. Use a whisk to make sure they are well incorporated. Slowly add in the carbonated water. Whisking so that there are no chunks of flour. Mix until smooth.
In a medium to large high-sided saucepan, heat up the oil on medium high heat.
No need for a thermometer, you will know when it is ready when you drop a bit of batter into the oil and it sizzles and turns golden.
In the meantime, prepare a plate lined with a paper kitchen towel. This will be your "cooling station" or "catch the extra oil" station.
When the oil is at the right temperature, use a fork to dip an onion ring into the batter. Make sure to submerge it entirely and to let any excess batter drip off before placing the batter covered ring gently into the oil (BE CAREFUL! As the oil may spatter a bit).
Do not overcrowd the onion rings, it is better to do small batches at a time.
Fry the rings until they are golden brown, turning them every once in a while to ensure all sides are fried evenly. Let any extra oil drip off before placing them on your "cooling tray".
Let the onion rings cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. I usually just love to eat my onion rings plain or with simple ketchup as a dip. However, if you want to get a little fancier, why not try my jalapeno and coriander dip?
To make the dip, place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and pulse until you achieve your desired consistency.
Serve and enjoy!
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