Air-Fried Panko Onion Rings: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making panko onion rings in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-fried onion rings. They are less greasy, require less oil, and are less messy to cook. Panko breadcrumbs are key to the ultimate crispiness of the onion rings. The air fryer also cuts down on the cooking time.

Choosing the right onion

Flavour

The type of onion you choose will significantly impact the flavour of your onion rings. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia, Texas, Maui, or Walla Walla, are ideal for onion rings as they have a mild and sweet taste. They are usually flatter, making them perfect for even cooking. In contrast, red onions will produce more potent and sharp-tasting onion rings. If you want a milder flavour, yellow onions are a good option.

Texture

Consistency in the thickness of your onion slices is essential for even cooking. Aim for slices that are around 1/2-inch thick. A sharp knife and a steady hand will help you achieve uniform slices. Removing the outer skins of the onions before slicing will also help ensure a consistent texture.

Size

Consider the size of the onion rings you want. Larger outer rings will take longer to cook than the smaller inner rings. If you want all your onion rings to cook evenly, it might be best to separate the larger and smaller rings. You can use the smaller rings for another recipe or dish.

Freshness

Always choose fresh, firm onions with tight skins. Avoid onions with soft spots, sprouting, or signs of mould. Fresh onions will not only taste better but will also hold up better during the cooking process, ensuring your onion rings are crispy and tender.

Quantity

Finally, consider how many onion rings you want to make. One large onion will typically yield enough rings for a single batch. If you are cooking for a larger group or want leftovers, be sure to adjust the recipe and get enough onions.

Preparing the onion for frying

First, select a large sweet onion, such as a Vidalia, Texas, Maui, Walla Walla, or red onion. These varieties are preferred because they are sweeter and flatter than other types of onions, resulting in a milder taste. Peel the outer layer of the onion and cut it crosswise into thick slices, approximately 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch in thickness. It is important to cut the onion into thick slices to ensure that the rings don't break apart during the coating and frying process. After slicing, separate the onion into individual rings.

Before coating the onion rings, it is recommended to pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step will help the coating adhere better to the onion.

Next, set up your dredging station. You will need three shallow bowls or plates for this process. In the first bowl, place the flour and any desired seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, or salt. You can also add in a small amount of cornstarch to the flour mixture, as it helps to enhance the crispiness of the onion rings. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. You can also add a small amount of milk or buttermilk to the eggs to help the crumbs stick better. The third bowl will contain the panko breadcrumbs, and optionally, a small amount of oil and cornmeal. The oil is mixed with the breadcrumbs to help the coating become golden brown and crispy during frying. However, some recipes suggest spraying the onion rings with cooking spray after coating them, instead of mixing the oil with the breadcrumbs. This is because the oil can cause the breadcrumbs to become sticky, making it difficult for them to adhere to the onion rings.

Now, you are ready to begin the coating process. For each onion ring, follow this sequence of dipping and coating: first, dip it into the flour mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, followed by another dip into the flour mixture. Finally, dip it back into the egg mixture and, lastly, coat it with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the onion ring. Place the coated onion ring on a plate or baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the onion rings.

After all the onion rings are coated, place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to allow the coating to set. This step is crucial, as it helps the coating stick to the onion rings and ensures a crispier texture.

Once the onion rings are frozen, they can be stored in the freezer for up to a week before frying. When you are ready to fry them, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically between 350°F to 400°F.

Now, you are ready to arrange the onion rings in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the onion rings with cooking spray and place them in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Follow the recommended cooking time and temperature for your air fryer, typically frying the onion rings for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip the onion rings halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Once the onion rings are cooked to perfection, remove them from the air fryer and sprinkle with additional seasonings or sauces, such as seasoned salt, garlic powder, or paprika. Serve them immediately while they are still hot and crispy!

Making the batter

Firstly, you'll need to get three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place your flour. You can season the flour with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. In the second bowl, whisk your eggs until they are frothy. You can also add buttermilk to this mixture. In the third bowl, place your panko breadcrumbs. You can also add olive oil to this mixture.

Now for the fun part: the dipping! For each onion ring, dip first into the flour, then into the egg, then back into the egg, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the onion ring into the breadcrumbs so that they stick nicely.

Place all your battered onion rings on a metal baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. You can even do this step up to a week in advance! This step is important as it helps the batter stick to the onion rings.

Once your onion rings are nice and frozen, you can start heating up your air fryer to 350-400°F. Then, remove the onion rings from the freezer, place them in a single layer in your air fryer, and spray them lightly with cooking spray.

Now you're ready to fry! Place the basket into the air fryer and cook at 350-400°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the onion rings are golden brown and crispy. You may need to flip the onion rings halfway through the cooking process.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy panko onion rings made right in your air fryer. Enjoy!

Coating the onion rings

Firstly, prepare three shallow bowls for dipping and coating. One bowl should contain beaten eggs, another plain flour, and the third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. You can season each of these bowls with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your choice of seasoning.

Now, for each onion ring, dip and coat them in the following order:

• Egg mixture
• Flour mixture
• Egg mixture (for a second time)
• Flour mixture (for a second time)
• Egg mixture (for a third time)
• Finally, coat them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat nicely.

Place all the coated onion rings on a metal baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. You can also do this step up to a week in advance.

After freezing, remove the onion rings and place them in a single layer in your air fryer container. Spray them lightly with cooking spray.

Fry for approximately 10-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through. The onion rings are ready when they are tender, golden brown, and crispy.

Cooking the onion rings

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to start cooking those onion rings!

First, you'll want to cut your onion into slices about 1/2 inch thick. You can use a variety of onions, but sweet onions like Vidalias, Mauis, or Walla Wallas are said to work best. Red onions are also a good choice, and you can even use regular yellow or white onions in a pinch. Just be sure to separate the slices into individual rings.

Next comes the dredging process. This is where you'll need your flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Set up an assembly line of sorts, with one bowl containing flour (and any desired seasonings), another containing beaten eggs, and a third containing your breadcrumbs. Some recipes also suggest adding oil to the breadcrumbs to help with crisping, but this is optional. Now, take each onion ring and dip it first in the flour, then the eggs, and finally, the breadcrumbs. Make sure each ring is well-coated before moving on to the next step.

At this point, some recipes recommend placing the coated onion rings in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help the coating stick. Others suggest placing them directly into the air fryer. If you do choose to freeze them first, you can even store them in the freezer for up to a week before cooking!

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 350-400°F. Arrange the onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Give the onion rings a light spray with cooking spray, and then let them fry!

Cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model, but generally, they should take between 8-15 minutes to turn golden brown and crispy. There's no need to flip them halfway through, as they will cook evenly on both sides.

Once they're done, remove the onion rings from the air fryer and enjoy! They're best served hot, so dig in as soon as possible. If you want to get fancy, you can even serve them with a dipping sauce on the side. Some popular options include tartar sauce, ranch, BBQ sauce, or ketchup.

Frequently asked questions