Air Fryer Battered Onion Rings: The Perfect Crispy Treat

Air fryer onion rings are a tasty, healthier alternative to deep-fried onion rings. They are easy to make and require less oil, creating fewer fat calories. The air fryer also cuts down on cooking time. To make battered onion rings in an air fryer, you will need onions, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings of your choice. The onions are sliced into rings, dipped in a flour mixture, then an egg mixture, and finally coated in breadcrumbs. The onion rings are then placed in the air fryer in a single layer and cooked until golden brown and crispy.

Choosing the right onion

First, consider the type of onion. Sweet onions, such as Vidalias or Walla Wallas, are often recommended for onion rings because they have a mild and sweet flavour. Yellow or white onions are also good options, especially if you prefer a stronger onion taste. Red onions will result in a more potent flavour. The size of the onion also matters; larger onions tend to work better for onion rings, as they provide thicker slices and more prominent rings.

When selecting your onions, look for those that are firm and have smooth, dry skins. Avoid onions with soft spots or sprouting, as these may affect the texture and taste of your onion rings.

Once you've chosen the right type and size of onion, it's time to slice them. Aim for a consistent thickness of around 1/2-inch to ensure even cooking and the perfect crispy texture. A sharp knife and a steady hand are essential for this step.

Remember, the best onion for your rings is the one that suits your taste preferences and the desired flavour profile of your dish.

Preparing the onion rings

• Slice the onions: Start by slicing a large onion or two into 1/2-inch-thick slices. You can use yellow, red, or sweet onions, depending on your preference. Separate the slices into individual rings.
• Prepare the coating mixtures: You will need three or four different mixtures for dipping and coating the onion rings. Get separate shallow bowls or deep plates for each mixture.

• Flour mixture: In one bowl, combine all-purpose flour with seasonings like seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or additions like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or black pepper. You can also add a pinch of baking powder for extra crispness.
• Egg mixture: In another bowl, whisk together eggs and a little buttermilk, milk, or cream. You can also add a small amount of flour to this mixture.
• Breadcrumb mixture: In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with seasonings. You can also add a small amount of oil and rub it into the breadcrumbs with your fingers. If you don't have panko, regular breadcrumbs will work, but panko provides a crunchier texture.

• Dip and coat the onion rings: This is the fun part! Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture first, shaking off any excess. Then, dunk it in the egg mixture to coat evenly. Finally, toss it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the onion ring. For an extra crispy coating, you can double-dip by repeating the process.
• Freeze the coated onion rings: Place the coated onion rings on a baking sheet or metal baking rack and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the coating stick and ensures crispier onion rings.
• Preheat the air fryer: While the onion rings are in the freezer, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Preheating ensures your onion rings will be crispier and cooks them more efficiently.

Now that your onion rings are prepared, you can move on to the cooking process. Place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Spray the onion rings with cooking spray or drizzle with oil, and cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on your air fryer model, until they are golden brown and crispy. Enjoy your delicious, crispy air-fried onion rings!

Making the batter

First, prepare your onions by peeling and slicing them into 1/2-inch thick slices. You can use a variety of onions, but sweet onions like Vidalias or Walla Wallas are recommended for a milder, sweeter flavour. Separate the onion slices into rings.

Now, prepare your bowls for dipping. In one bowl, combine flour with seasonings like seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or black pepper. You can also add in cornstarch or baking powder for a lighter batter. In a second bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. You can use eggs alone or combine them with buttermilk, milk, or a milk and vinegar/lemon juice mixture. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with oil and, optionally, cornmeal. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs will give your onion rings an extra crispy texture. Season your breadcrumbs with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper.

Some recipes suggest adding an extra step here by dipping the onion rings in the flour mixture first, followed by the egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture, and finally into the egg mixture again before coating them with the breadcrumbs. This double-dipping method creates an extra thick and crispy coating.

After dipping and coating each onion ring, place them on a baking sheet or plate and spray them with cooking spray. Some recipes recommend freezing the battered onion rings for at least 30 minutes or up to a week before air frying, as this helps the coating stick better.

Now you're ready to cook your onion rings! Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F and arrange the battered onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Lightly spray the onion rings with cooking spray and air fry for 8-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and tender air-fried onion rings!

Coating the onion rings

Firstly, prepare your flour mixture. Combine the flour with any seasonings you like—sectioned into two bowls if you want to avoid clumping—and place in the first bowl. You can also add cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to your flour mixture.

Next, prepare your egg mixture. Whisk together eggs and buttermilk (or milk/cream) in a second bowl. You can also add a little flour to this mixture.

Then, prepare your breadcrumb mixture. Toss breadcrumbs, oil, and cornmeal in a third bowl. You can also add any seasonings you like to this mixture. If you're using panko breadcrumbs, drizzle olive oil into the mixture and rub it in with your fingers.

Now you are ready to coat your onion rings! For each onion ring, dip first into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Then, dunk the ring into the egg mixture to coat. Finally, toss the ring in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the onion.

Place the coated onion rings on a rack on a baking sheet or a metal baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial, so don't skip it!

Cooking the onion rings

Now that you've got your onion slices and your flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixtures ready, it's time to start cooking those onion rings!

First, dip each onion ring into the flour, then tap to remove any excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs, making sure to coat it evenly each time. Place the coated onion rings on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process until all your onion rings are coated.

At this point, you can choose to freeze the onion rings for at least 30 minutes, or up to a week, before cooking. This helps the coating stick better and makes the onion rings extra crispy.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Spray the onion rings with cooking spray or oil, then place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Cook the onion rings for 8 to 15 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. There's no need to turn them over halfway through—just let them cook until they're done.

Once they're crispy and golden, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt or your favorite seasoning. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

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