Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Cooking frozen onion rings in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious snack or side dish. They are much crispier than oven-baked onion rings and are healthier than deep-fried ones. You can cook them in less time than it takes to preheat your oven, and there's no need for any oil!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making frozen onion rings. While some recipes don't require preheating, doing so will ensure your onion rings cook evenly. It's also important to note that not all air fryers are the same, so it's a good idea to monitor your onion rings while they're cooking to ensure they don't burn or become soggy.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set the temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Most recipes recommend preheating for about 3 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer. It's important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Once your air fryer is preheated, you can add the frozen onion rings. Be sure to place them in a single layer, with minimal overlap, to ensure they cook evenly and get nice and crispy. Depending on the size and thickness of the onion rings, you'll want to cook them for 4 to 12 minutes at the preheated temperature. Again, it's important to keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Some recipes also suggest spraying the onion rings with a bit of oil before cooking to make them extra crispy. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. However, be sure to use an oil mister or air fryer-safe spray rather than a canned cooking spray, as this can damage your air fryer.

Layer the onion rings

Layering the onion rings is an important step in the cooking process. It is recommended that you layer half a bag of frozen onion rings into the basket of the air fryer. It is important to make sure that the onion rings are in a single layer and not overlapping. This is to ensure that the onion rings cook evenly and become crispy. It is okay if they overlap a tiny bit, but not too much, as you want to avoid them steaming or becoming soggy.

If you are using an air fryer with a small basket, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches. You can keep the previous batches warm by reheating them for 1-2 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to note that every air fryer is different, so the cooking time and temperature may vary. The first time you make frozen onion rings, it is recommended to monitor and check on them 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time is up, and then adjust the recipe as needed for future batches.

Additionally, it is recommended not to stack the onion rings more than halfway full in the air fryer basket. This will ensure that they cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.

Spray with oil

Spraying your frozen onion rings with oil before air frying is a great way to ensure they come out extra crispy. You can use an oil spray, or drizzle olive oil or vegetable oil over the onion rings. If you want to use an oil spray, make sure to use an oil mister, as canned cooking sprays can ruin your air fryer.

If you're using an oil spray, you'll want to spray the onion rings lightly and evenly. You can also spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil to make the onion rings crispier. If you're drizzling oil, spread the onion rings out a little so they aren't in one big pile, and drizzle the oil over them.

You don't need to add oil to your frozen onion rings when using an air fryer, but it will make them crispier. If you want to avoid using oil, make sure to give the onion rings enough space in the air fryer basket so that they don't steam or become soggy.

Cook for 4-12 minutes

Now, it's time to cook the onion rings! Place the basket inside the air fryer and set the temperature to 350–400 °F. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your onion rings and the wattage, capacity, and brand of your air fryer. For example, onion rings that are 1/4 inch thick will take around 7–8 minutes, while those that are 1/2 inch thick will take 8–12 minutes. Always keep an eye on your onion rings to ensure they don't burn. As a general rule, cook them for 4–12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping them halfway through.

If you're using an air fryer with a small basket, you might need to cook the onion rings in batches to ensure even cooking. If your first batch cools down while you're cooking the second, just pop them back into the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 350 °F to reheat.

Once they're golden and crispy, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Flip halfway through

Flipping your onion rings halfway through the cooking process is an essential step in ensuring they cook evenly and achieve the desired level of crispiness. Here's a detailed guide on how to flip your frozen onion rings in an air fryer:

Before placing the onion rings in the air fryer, ensure they are still frozen. Do not thaw or defrost them, as cooking them straight from frozen yields the best results. Preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. The exact temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and personal preference, but this temperature range is ideal for achieving a balance between a crispy exterior and a tender interior.

Now, it's time to arrange the onion rings in the air fryer basket. Place the desired amount of frozen onion rings in a single layer at the bottom of the basket, ensuring there is minimal overlap. It's important not to overcrowd the basket to allow for proper airflow, which is crucial for even cooking and crispiness. Once your onion rings are in the basket, you may want to spray them with a light coating of oil, such as olive oil or avocado oil. This step is optional but can enhance the crispiness of your onion rings.

Close the air fryer and let the onion rings cook for a few minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your onion rings, but generally, they will need around 4-12 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, open the air fryer basket and use tongs or a spatula to carefully flip each onion ring. This step ensures that both sides of the onion rings cook evenly and attain a uniform golden colour and crisp texture.

After flipping the onion rings, continue cooking them until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Again, the total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the onion rings, the temperature of your air fryer, and your personal preference for doneness. For thinner onion rings, 2-3 additional minutes may be sufficient, while thicker onion rings may require up to 5-7 more minutes.

Once your onion rings are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer using tongs and serve them immediately. Air fryer onion rings are best enjoyed fresh, as they tend to lose their crispiness over time. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but be aware that the texture may change upon reheating.

Frequently asked questions