Air-Fried Vegan Delight: Crispy Onion Rings

Making vegan onion rings in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, and they taste just as good, if not better! The air fryer requires less preparation and less cleaning up afterward. The recipe is simple: cut onions into rings, dip them in a flour-based batter, and coat them with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Then, place them in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, vegan ranch, or creamy chipotle sauce.

Choosing the right onion

The key to a good onion ring is to have a consistent thickness across all your onion slices so they cook evenly and achieve the perfect crispiness. A sharp knife and a steady hand are essential here. Cut your onions into 1/2-inch to 1/4-inch thick slices, then separate the slices into rings. You can also push out the individual rings with your hands.

Some recipes suggest soaking the onions in ice water or buttermilk before coating and frying them. Soaking the onions can help tone down their sharp flavour and add moisture to the onion rings. However, if you are using a mild or sweet onion, you can skip this step.

Making the batter

The batter is the glue that holds the crispy coating to the onion rings. It also adds flavour to the rings. To make the batter, you will need flour, baking powder, salt, water, and a plant-based milk alternative.

Firstly, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Then, slowly add water to the mixture until you reach a consistency that is slightly thicker than pancake batter. You can also add a little plant-based milk to the mixture for extra creaminess.

Once you have reached the desired consistency, it is time to dip the onion rings into the batter. Make sure each ring is fully coated before moving on to the next step.

Some recipes suggest double-dipping the onion rings in the batter and flour mixture for an extra-thick coating. This is optional but will result in a crispier onion ring.

After dipping the onion rings in the batter, it is important to let any excess batter drip off. This will ensure that the coating is not too soggy and will help it cook evenly.

Coating the onions

Preparing the Onions

Start by slicing off the ends of a medium to large sweet onion. Peel the onion and cut it into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick slices. For a large onion, you can carefully separate each slice into rings using your fingers. For a medium onion, you may need to gently press the centre of the slices to separate the rings.

Making the Batter

In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cornstarch (or cornflour), baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika or red chilli powder, and black pepper. Gradually add water and mix with a whisk until you achieve a smooth, slightly thick batter. The consistency should be slightly thicker than pancake batter. You can also add a pinch of Cajun seasoning salt or Italian seasoning blend for extra flavour.

Dredging the Onions

Prepare a dredging station with separate bowls for dry flour, the batter (or wet flour mixture), and breadcrumbs. First, coat the onion rings lightly in dry flour. Then, dip them into the batter, ensuring they are well coated. Lift the rings with a fork to allow excess batter to drip off before transferring them to the breadcrumb bowl.

Breading the Onions

Using another fork, turn the onion rings in the breadcrumbs until they are coated evenly. You can also scoop breadcrumbs over the rings to ensure a complete coating. Give the rings a hard tap as you remove them from the crumbs to ensure the coating clings well. Place the breaded onion rings on a greased plate or tray.

Your onions are now coated and ready for the air fryer!

Cooking in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep frying, as they require very little oil and are much easier to manage. You can make crispy, golden onion rings in an air fryer in less than half the time it would take in a conventional oven.

First, prepare your onions by slicing off the ends and peeling the outer skin. Cut the onions into 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick slices, then carefully separate the slices into rings. You can use the inner rings for stir-fries or salads.

Now, it's time to set up your dredging station. You'll need three bowls: one with the dry flour mixture, one with the wet batter, and one with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.

Take each onion ring and first dip it into the dry flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the wet batter, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each ring is evenly coated. Place the breaded onion rings on a separate clean plate.

Preheat your air fryer to between 370-400°F. Transfer the onion rings to the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer with a little space around each ring to avoid overcrowding. You may need to cook the onion rings in batches.

Drizzle or spray the onion rings with oil. Air fry for 8 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Flip the onion rings halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Once they're done, transfer the onion rings to a bowl and finish with a pinch of salt. Serve immediately with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips for Success:

• Use sweet onions for a milder flavour.
• For optimum browning, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Panko breadcrumbs provide the best crunch and texture, but regular breadcrumbs can be used as well.
• If the panko breadcrumbs get too damp, discard them and start with a fresh batch.
• Use one hand for the wet batter and the other for the dry breadcrumbs to minimise mess.
• Keep an eye on the onion rings after 6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
• You can reheat leftover onion rings in the air fryer at 400°F for about 4 minutes.

Serving suggestions

These vegan onion rings are a fun and tasty snack or side dish. They are also a great appetiser, universally loved by everyone! Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce. Some options are mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce, vegan ranch, creamy chipotle sauce, vegan mayonnaise, vegan sour cream, chilli garlic mayo, tandoori mayo, barbecue sauce, sriracha, honey mustard, or malt vinegar.
• Serve them as a side dish with any burger or sandwich. They go well with veggie burgers, black bean burgers, and BBQ jackfruit sandwiches.
• Serve them as a side dish with a Rachel sandwich with seitan and coleslaw, a vegan BBQ sandwich with Soy Curls, a buffalo chickpea sandwich, or a vegan Reuben jackfruit sandwich.
• Serve them as a snack with a sandwich. They can also be a sandwich topper in place of raw or pickled onions.
• If you want to make the onion rings part of a meal, serve them with any burger or sandwich.
• They can be served as a side dish with a main course.
• They can be served as a fun appetiser or game-day snack.

Frequently asked questions