Frying Onion Rings: Air Fryer Time And Tips

Air fryer onion rings are a delicious snack or side dish that can be made in under an hour. They are healthier than deep-fried onion rings and can be made with just a few tablespoons of oil, resulting in less mess and fewer calories. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer model, but on average, it takes about 8 to 15 minutes to fry onion rings in an air fryer.

Onion ring prep: slicing, dredging and coating

Onion Ring Prep: Slicing, Dredging, and Coating

Slicing

First, cut off the stem end of the onion, removing any residual dirt on the roots while keeping the root end intact. Then, cut the onion into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick slices. You can do this by placing the onion cut side down and making angled cuts into the onion, aimed at its centre. Finally, separate the slices into rings.

Dredging and Coating

Dredging and coating the onion rings involves a few steps and several mixtures. First, prepare your mixtures. You will need a flour mixture, an egg mixture, and a breadcrumb mixture. For the flour mixture, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. For the egg mixture, stir milk and egg into the remaining flour mixture using a fork. For the breadcrumb mixture, place breadcrumbs into a shallow dish and, if desired, drizzle with olive oil and use your fingers to rub it in.

Now, you are ready to dredge and coat the onion rings. Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dunk them in the egg mixture to completely coat them, again shaking off any excess. Finally, toss them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat this process for a double-dipped, extra-crispy crust.

Air fryer temperature and preheating

Preheating an air fryer is a good idea if you want to speed up the cooking time or if you want your food to be extra crispy. It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer before cooking, but it is an option. Here are some tips on when and how to preheat your air fryer:

• If the air fryer's manual or the recipe you are following instructs you to preheat the air fryer, then you should do so.
• Preheat your air fryer if you want your food to be crispy.
• When in doubt, preheat.
• Turn on the air fryer and ensure that it is clean, plugged in, and ready to use.
• If your air fryer has a preheat button, press it, set the temperature, and enter the cooking time. The air fryer will alert you when it has reached the desired temperature.
• If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, heat it at 400 °F (204 °C) or the cooking temperature in the recipe for 3 to 5 minutes.

It is important to note that not all foods benefit from being cooked in a preheated air fryer. For example, if you are cooking something delicate like shrimp or garlic, you may not want to preheat the air fryer to avoid burning or drying out the food. Similarly, if you are cooking something for a long period, like a roast chicken or a baked potato, you may not want to preheat the air fryer.

Cooking time and arrangement in the fryer

The cooking time for onion rings in an air fryer varies depending on the model, but on average, they take around 8 to 15 minutes to cook at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. It is recommended to cook onion rings in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer, which can affect the cooking time and the crispiness of the onion rings.

When arranging the onion rings in the air fryer, it is best to place them in a single layer, ensuring they have a little space around each ring. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in multiple batches. It is not necessary to turn or shake the onion rings during the cooking process, as they will crisp up on both sides without any intervention.

Some recipes suggest spraying the onion rings with cooking oil spray halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are extra crispy and golden brown. Additionally, freezing the breaded onion rings for 15 minutes before placing them in the air fryer can help the coating stick better and result in a crispier texture.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the onion rings, with thicker rings taking longer to cook through. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the onion rings during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or burning them.

Onion types and ingredients

When it comes to choosing onions for your onion rings, you can use any type you have on hand. However, different varieties will give you different results. Sweet onions, for example, will produce sweet and mild flavours, while red onions will give you a more potent taste. Generally, larger onions are better, and you'll want to cut them into rings about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch thick.

For the coating, you'll need flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and a few spices. Here's a list of ingredients you can use, with some optional additions:

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch (optional)
• Baking powder (optional)
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Smoked Paprika (optional)
• Olive oil

You can also add extra spices like garlic salt or seasoned salt after frying, for an extra kick of flavour.

Now, let's go through the steps of coating your onion rings:

Step 1: Dredge in Flour

Combine the flour with other dry ingredients like cornstarch, baking powder, and spices in a bowl. Dip each onion ring into this mixture, ensuring they're fully coated, and then shake off any excess flour.

Step 2: Dip in Wet Mixture

You can use either buttermilk or beaten eggs for this step. Dunk the floured onion rings into the wet mixture, ensuring they're well-coated, and then shake off any excess liquid.

Step 3: Coat with Breadcrumbs

Dip the onion rings into a bowl of breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the onion rings. You can also scoop extra breadcrumbs on top and tap off any excess.

Step 4: Fry or Air Fry

If you're frying, heat enough oil in a pot or deep fryer to cover the onion rings. Fry 2-4 onion rings at a time for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. If air frying, spray the coated onion rings with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at around 350-375°F for 8-15 minutes, until crispy and golden.

And there you have it! Homemade onion rings, crispy and golden, ready to be devoured. Enjoy them as a snack or a side dish, with your favourite dipping sauces.

Serving suggestions and sauces

Air fryer onion rings are a delicious snack or side dish. They are great on their own, but there are also plenty of sauces and serving suggestions to elevate your onion rings to the next level.

If you want to serve your onion rings as a side, they go well with any burger or sandwich. They can be a great addition to a veggie or black bean burger, or a BBQ jackfruit sandwich.

For a snack or appetizer, onion rings are best served hot with a dipping sauce. You could try a simple ketchup, or go for something more complex like a vegan ranch, creamy chipotle sauce, or tartar sauce. If you want to add a bit of spice, sriracha mayonnaise can be a great option, or you could make your own spicy mayo with a kick of cayenne or chili pepper. A basic 'fry sauce' made from mayo, ketchup, and horseradish can also be a great option.

If you want to make your onion rings part of a larger meal, they go well with grilled cheese, potatoes, or even a nice winter meal. They are a great summer snack to go with a grill night, and you can cook them in less time than it takes to preheat your oven.

Frequently asked questions