Air-Fryer Onion Rings: Crispy, Golden, And Delicious!

Making onion rings in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and they taste just as good! You can use a Cuisinart air fryer to make onion rings by following the steps below.

First, cut a large sweet onion into 1/2-inch thick slices, and separate them into rings. Then, prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Next, dip each onion ring into the flour, followed by the egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumbs. Place the coated onion rings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and drizzle or spray them with oil. Air fry at 350-400°F for 8-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and tender onion rings!

Choosing the right onion

First, the type of onion you choose will impact the overall flavour of your onion rings. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia, Texas, Maui, or Walla Walla, are a popular choice for onion rings because they have a mild, sweet flavour and are usually flatter in shape. These onions will give your rings a sweet and tender taste. If you prefer a more potent flavour, red onions or white onions are a better option.

Secondly, the size of the onion matters. Larger onions are generally preferred for making onion rings because they yield bigger, more substantial rings. This also gives you more space to work with when coating and frying the rings.

Lastly, the thickness of the onion slices is crucial. For even cooking and optimal crispness, aim for a consistent thickness of around 1/2-inch for your onion slices. This will ensure your onion rings cook through evenly and have that desirable crispy texture.

Remember, the best onion for onion rings is the one you have available! You can always experiment with different types of onions to find the variety you like best.

Preparing the coating

Firstly, you will need three or four shallow bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour with salt and/or spices. You can use seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. In a second bowl, whisk eggs until they are frothy. You can also add buttermilk or milk to this bowl, and some flour. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with salt and/or spices. You can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs will make your onion rings extra crispy. You can also add cornmeal and/or olive oil to this mixture.

Now comes the fun part: the dipping! For each onion ring, dip and coat in this order: flour mixture, egg mixture, flour mixture, egg mixture, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press the onion ring into the breadcrumb mixture so that it sticks nicely.

Once all your onion rings are coated, place them on a large plate or baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 15-30 minutes. This will help the coating stick better.

Dipping the onion rings

Firstly, prepare three shallow bowls for dipping. In the first bowl, combine flour with seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, salt, or cayenne pepper. You can also add a little cornstarch to the flour mixture, as this will help the coating stick better to the onions. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs. If desired, you can also add a small amount of milk or buttermilk to the eggs. The third bowl will contain breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs are ideal for achieving an extra crispy texture, but regular breadcrumbs can also be used. For an even crispier coating, you can add a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil to the breadcrumbs and mix it in with a fork.

Now you are ready to start dipping the onion rings! For each ring, follow these steps:

• Dip the onion ring into the flour mixture, making sure it is well coated. Tap gently to remove any excess flour.
• Next, dip the floured onion ring into the egg mixture. Ensure it is well coated before moving on to the next step.
• Finally, coat the onion ring generously with the breadcrumb mixture. You can press the breadcrumbs gently onto the onion ring to ensure they adhere well.

Once all the onion rings are coated, place them on a large plate or baking sheet. At this point, you can choose to freeze the onion rings for future use, or you can proceed directly to cooking them in your Cuisinart air fryer. If you choose to freeze them, place the coated onion rings in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or up to one week. This will help the coating stick better and result in crispier onion rings.

Cooking the onion rings

Now that you've got your onion rings prepared, it's time to cook them!

First, preheat your Cuisinart air fryer to the recommended temperature. Different models of air fryers will have different ideal temperatures, but most sources recommend cooking onion rings at around 350-400°F.

Next, arrange the onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not overlapping, and don't overcrowd the basket—you may need to cook the onion rings in batches. Spray the onion rings with cooking spray or oil, and place the basket in the air fryer.

Cook the onion rings for around 8-15 minutes, or until they're golden brown and crispy. You may want to flip the onion rings halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking, but this isn't necessary with all air fryer models.

Once they're cooked to your liking, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and enjoy! They're best served hot, so dig in as soon as possible. If you're making a large batch, you can keep the cooked onion rings warm by placing them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes after cooking.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer onion rings. They can be served as a snack or an appetizer at a party, or as a side dish with burgers, sandwiches, or hot dogs. They can also be served with a variety of dipping sauces such as mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce, vegan ranch, or creamy chipotle sauce or garlic aioli. For a healthier option, they can be served with a burger or sandwich instead of fries. Additionally, they can be frozen and reheated in the air fryer, so they can be prepared ahead of time and stored for later.

Frequently asked questions