Air Fryer French Fried Onion Rings: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Making French-fried onion rings in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, with less grease to clean up afterwards. The process is simple: cut onions into slices, dip them in flour, then egg, and finally coat them in breadcrumbs. Place the onion rings in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for around 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Serve with a dip of your choice and enjoy!

Choosing the right onions

Sweet onions, such as Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Maui onions, are often recommended for onion rings. These onions will give your rings a sweet and mild flavour. If you can't find these specific varieties, a standard yellow onion can also be used. Red onions will produce more potent results, while white onions are also a milder option.

When selecting your onions, it is also important to choose large onions. This will make it easier to cut them into rings and create a uniform size for your onion rings.

Additionally, you may want to consider the colour of the onion. While the colour won't affect the flavour, it can add to the visual appeal of your onion rings. Yellow or white onions will give you a traditional look, while red onions will add a pop of colour.

In terms of quantity, one large onion is typically enough to make a batch of onion rings. However, if you are planning to make a larger portion, you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

When preparing your onions, start by peeling and trimming the ends. Then, cut the onion into slices of your desired thickness. Most recipes recommend a thickness of around 1/2 inch. Finally, separate the slices into individual rings. You can discard the smallest rings or save them for another use, as they will cook faster than the larger rings.

Preparing the onions

First, select the right type of onion. Sweet onions, such as Vidalias or yellow onions, are ideal because of their naturally sweet flavour. If you can't get your hands on those, plain white onions will do, but avoid red onions as they have too much bite for this recipe.

Next, cut off the non-root end of the onions and peel them. Then, cut the onions into slices. For thinner onion rings, cut them into 1/4-inch thick slices. For thicker rings, cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices. Separate each slice to make rings.

Now you are ready to bread the onion rings. Set up a breading station with separate bowls for each step of the breading process. You will need a bowl of flour, a bowl of eggs and sometimes milk, and a bowl of breadcrumbs. Some recipes also include a bowl of buttermilk or a mixture of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Dip each onion ring into the flour, then the egg, and finally, the breadcrumbs. Make sure to shake off any excess after the first two dips and use your dry hand to pack on the breadcrumbs so they stick well.

Once all the onion rings are coated, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer.

Making the batter

First, cut your onions into rings. For this, you will need around a 1/2-inch thickness. You can use any type of onion, but sweet onions like Vidalia or yellow onions are recommended for a more natural sweetness. Separate the onion slices into rings.

Next, prepare three bowls. In the first bowl, mix the flour with your chosen spices. You can add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg until frothy. You can also add buttermilk to this mixture if you like. In a third bowl, prepare your breadcrumbs. You can use regular or panko breadcrumbs, but panko is recommended for a crispier texture.

Now, you are ready to start battering! Take an onion ring and dip it into the flour mixture. Make sure it is well coated, and then shake off any excess flour. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, and again, shake off any excess. Finally, coat the ring with the breadcrumbs. Use your dry hand to pack on the breadcrumbs so they stick well.

Repeat this process for all your onion rings, and you will have perfectly battered onion rings ready for the air fryer!

Cooking the onion rings

Now that you've sliced your onions, dredged them, and set up your air fryer, it's time to cook! Place your onion rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space around each ring. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in batches so they don't overlap.

If you're using an air fryer that requires preheating, make sure to do that before adding your onion rings. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F.

Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer, but generally, it should take around 8 to 15 minutes for your onion rings to turn golden brown and crispy. You might need to flip them halfway through, and you can also spray them lightly with cooking spray to help them crisp up.

Once they're done, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt or your desired seasoning. If you're cooking in batches, you can keep the first batch warm by placing them back in the air fryer for a minute or two after you've cooked the subsequent batches.

And that's it! You now have a batch of crispy, golden, and delicious onion rings to enjoy as a snack or side dish.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer onion rings are a great snack or side dish. They can be served as an appetiser or as a side with a burger or sandwich. They are best served hot and fresh out of the fryer.

Onion rings are a great game-day snack and are perfect for dipping. You can serve them with a variety of sauces, including mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce, vegan ranch, creamy chipotle sauce, or Sriracha mayonnaise. For a simple fry sauce, you can mix 1/3 cup of mayo with 2 tablespoons of ketchup. You could also try honey mustard dressing, bourbon barbecue sauce, blue cheese sauce, or ranch.

If you want to make these onion rings part of a meal, they go well with veggie burgers, black bean burgers, or BBQ jackfruit sandwiches.

Frequently asked questions