Air Fryer Red Robin-Style Onion Rings: Crispy, Quick, Delicious!

Red Robin onion rings are a delicious snack, but deep frying them at home can be a hassle. Fortunately, you can make crispy and tasty Red Robin onion rings in an air fryer with minimal effort and without the greasy feeling afterward. In this article, we will teach you how to make these mouth-watering onion rings in your air fryer, achieving the perfect texture and flavour.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making Red Robin onion rings. By preheating, you ensure that your onion rings cook evenly and achieve the perfect texture and colour. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is 375°F, and this should be maintained for 2-3 minutes.

While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, it is highly recommended for optimal results. If you choose not to preheat, you will need to increase the cooking time for your onion rings.

It is also important not to overheat your air fryer, as this can lead to burning. The dry heat of the air fryer can quickly evaporate moisture, so keep a close eye on your onion rings to prevent overcooking.

Additionally, when placing the onion rings in the air fryer, ensure they are in a single layer with spaces between them. This allows for even cooking and prevents overcrowding, which can result in uneven textures.

In summary, preheating your air fryer to 375°F for a short duration is crucial for achieving the best results when making Red Robin onion rings. By following this step, you will be well on your way to enjoying crispy, golden, and delicious onion rings.

Add the onion rings

Now it's time to add the onion rings to your air fryer!

First, ensure your air fryer basket has been coated with a non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the onion rings from sticking to the basket and make cleaning up easier. If you don't have cooking spray, you can brush the basket with vegetable oil or melted butter.

Next, carefully place your onion rings into the basket. It's important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they have space between them. This will allow hot air to circulate and ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Once your onion rings are in the basket, you can spray or brush them with oil or butter. This step is optional but will add flavour and help achieve a crispy texture.

Now, it's time to cook your onion rings! Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and time, referring to the previous steps for guidance. Remember to check on your onion rings periodically to ensure they don't burn.

Once the time is up, remove the onion rings from the air fryer using tongs and serve them hot! Enjoy the crispy, golden deliciousness with your favourite dipping sauce.

Spray with oil or butter

Spraying your onion rings with oil or butter is an important step in the cooking process. It adds flavour and prevents the onion rings from sticking to the air fryer basket.

There are a few different ways to do this. You can use a cooking spray, which is a convenient way to quickly and evenly coat the onion rings. You can also brush the onion rings with melted butter, which will give them a rich flavour and help them brown. Alternatively, you can brush the bottom of the basket with vegetable oil, or skip this step entirely if you prefer.

If you are using a cooking spray, be sure to use a non-stick variety, as some sprays can damage the non-stick finish on your air fryer.

By spraying or brushing the onion rings with oil or butter, you will enhance the flavour and ensure they cook evenly. This step is especially important if you are cooking the onion rings in a single layer, as recommended by some recipes.

Cook for 8-10 minutes

Now it's time to cook your onion rings! Set the timer for 8-10 minutes, and keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. Depending on the size of your onion rings, you may need to adjust the cooking time. For example, smaller onion rings may only need 5-8 minutes, while thicker onion rings could take up to 12 minutes. Check on them regularly, especially in the last 5 minutes of cooking, to ensure they are cooked to a beautiful golden brown colour and don't overcook or burn.

Once the time is up, remove the onion rings from the air fryer basket with tongs and serve them hot. You can also let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving, to allow their juices to redistribute and ensure they are nice and juicy. Don't forget to serve them with your favourite dipping sauce!

Reheat at 350°F

Reheating Red Robin onion rings in an air fryer is a simple process. Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F. This is an important step, as it ensures that your onion rings will be heated evenly and won't become soggy.

Once your air fryer has preheated, it's time to prepare the onion rings. Take your leftover onion rings and coat them lightly with oil. This helps prevent them from burning and adds a bit of extra flavour. You can use any type of oil you prefer, such as vegetable oil or olive oil.

Now, place the onion rings in the air fryer basket. It's best to place them in a single layer, with a little space between each ring, to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Set the timer on your air fryer for 6 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the onion rings during the cooking process, and flip them halfway through, to ensure even heating. The onion rings are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Once the timer goes off, use tongs to remove the onion rings from the air fryer and serve them hot. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, ketchup, or garlic mayo.

Reheating onion rings in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to enjoy your leftovers. By following these simple steps, you can have crispy, delicious onion rings that taste just like they did the first time!

Frequently asked questions