Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

Air Fryer Onion Rings are super crispy and crunchy, easy-to-make, and so much healthier for you than deep-fried! Use a 3-bowl technique to coat your sliced onions with flour, an egg wash, and breadcrumbs.You’ll then cook them in the Air Fryer until golden brown and ultra crispy. They make a great game day snack or weeknight dinner appetizer or side dish!

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (1)

Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe

Can you fall in love with a kitchen appliance?

After making these Air Fryer French Fries I thought my devotion couldn’t grow any deeper.

That is, until I learned how incredible and EASY it is to make Air Fryer Onion Rings!

After trying and failing epically at baking onion rings in the oven, the Air Fryer was my last resort.

Not only did these spherical bites turn out super crispy, but they were also extremely quick to make and even healthier.

Once battered and dipped in some Panko breadcrumbs, it took less than 8 minutes to actually cook them up.

Meaning you’re less than half an hour away from enjoying the best homemade onion rings you’ve ever had!

Table of Contents

  • Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Air Fryer Onion Rings
  • FAQs
  • Recipe Tips
  • More Game Day Appetizer Recipes
  • Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (2)

Ingredients

  • Onions. Sweet onions are the best to use since they have a subtle sweetness to them. White or yellow onions can also be used, but red onions are not recommended. Aim for larger onions to get nice, large rings.
  • Flour. The rings are first lightly coated in a bit of flour in order to get the remaining layer to stick to the onions. Feel free to use a gluten-free flour such as Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1.
  • Egg. One egg is whisked with a touch of milk to form an egg wash. The stickiness of the egg helps the outer breadcrumb coating to stick to the onions.
  • Milk. Either regular milk, cashew, almond, or even soy can be used.
  • Seasonings. A mixture of garlic powder and paprika add a touch of flavor to the onion rings.
  • Breadcrumbs. Panko-style crumbs are the best to use for an extra crispy onion ring, but regular breadcrumbs can be used if that’s what you have on hand. If you’re gluten-free, Aleia’s makes a wonderful gluten-free Panko breadcrumb that works great in this recipe.
  • Oil. A high smoke-point oil is the best to use, such as avocado or safflower oil, but olive oil may also be substituted.

How to Make Air Fryer Onion Rings

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

1. Cut the Onions into Rings

There’s a really simple process to follow for cutting onions into rings.

  1. Trim the two ends from onion.
  2. Remove the outer peel.
  3. Cut onion into rings about ½-inch thick.

One large onion will give you roughly 25 onion rings.

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (3)

2. Bread the Onion Rings

Once the onion has been cut into rings it’s time to bread them. It’s best to do this using a 3-bowl technique.

In three separate shallow bowls mix together the following:

Bowl 1: Add flour, garlic powder, paprika, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Whisk until well combined.

Bowl 2: Add egg and milk. Whisk until well combined. Add in ⅓ cup of flour mixture from bowl 1 and mix until smooth.

Bowl 3: Add Panko bread crumbs, remaining salt, and oil. Toss until crumbs are well coated in the oil.

Dip one onion ring in the flour mixture, dredge the egg wash, and then coat with the bread crumbs. Place on a large plate or sheet pan until ready to air fry.

Repeat this process with the remaining onion rings.

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (4)

3. Air Fry Onion Rings

When all of the onion rings are breaded you can start the process of air frying them.

Preheat air fryer to 360°Ffor at least 3 minutes. You want to make sure the Air Fryer comes up to temperature before adding in your onion rings.

Add rings in a single layer making sure not to overlap them.You can place smaller rings inside of bigger rings to make more room.

Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping rings halfway through. Repeat this step with remaining onion rings until they are all cooked.

Keep onion rings warm between batches by placing on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a 250°F oven.

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4. Serving

Onion rings, whether baked, fried, or air-fried, taste best when they are served immediately. I’m talking absolutely ZERO downtime between the hot Air Fryer to the plate.

You can then serve them with a side of ketchup or even a homemade sriracha mayo.

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (6)

FAQs

Do I need to soak onions before making onion rings?

While not necessary, soaking the onion in water prior to cooking lessens the “bite” that many don’t love about onions. If you chose a sweeter variety, you can easily skip this step.

How to get batter to stick to onion rings.

To get the batter to stick to the onion rings, it’s crucial they are dry and that you start by dipping them in flour BEFORE the egg and milk mixture.

Recipe Tips

  • Choose wisely. Grab an onion you like the flavor.
  • Same size. Try your hardest to slice the onions into rings roughly the same width so they cook consistently.
  • Give ’em space. Don’t overload the air fryer.
  • Dig in. These are best enjoyed immediately after making.
Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (7)

More Game Day Appetizer Recipes

These onion rings make one of the BEST game day appetizers. If you want a few other easy ideas, you might also like:

  • Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
  • Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Fried Goat Cheese
  • Buffalo Chicken Wings

Tap stars to rate!

4.86 from 7 votes

Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe

Air Fryer Onion Rings are super crispy and crunchy, easy-to-make, and so much healthier for you than deep-fried! Use a 3-bowl technique to coat your sliced onions with flour, an egg wash, and breadcrumbs. You'll then cook them in the Air Fryer until golden brown and ultra crispy. They make a great game day snack or weeknight dinner appetizer or side dish!

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (8)

GF

Yield 8 servings

Prep 25 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

Total 45 minutes mins

Print Pin Comment

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet onion
  • ½ cup flour gluten-free or all purpose
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. paprika
  • 1 ¼ tsp. salt to taste
  • 1 egg large
  • cup milk cashew or almond milk
  • 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs gluten-free
  • 2 Tbsp. oil

Instructions

  • Slice the Onion: Trim ends from onion and remove the outer peel. Cut onion into rings about ½-inch thick.

    1 large sweet onion

  • Coat the Onions: In three separate shallow bowls mix together the following:

    Bowl 1: Add flour, garlic powder, paprika, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Whisk until well combined.

    Bowl 2: Add egg and milk. Whisk until well combined. Add in ⅓ cup of flour mixture from bowl 1 and mix until smooth.

    Bowl 3: Add Panko bread crumbs, remaining salt, and oil. Toss until crumbs are well coated in the oil.

    Dip one onion ring in the flour mixture, dredge the egg wash, and then coat with the bread crumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining onion rings and place on a plate until ready to air fry.

    ½ cup flour, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ¼ tsp. paprika, 1 ¼ tsp. salt, 1 egg, ⅓ cup milk, 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp. oil

  • Cook in Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 360°F for at least 3 minutes. Add onion rings in a single layer making sure not to overlap them. You can place smaller rings inside of bigger rings to make more room. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping rings halfway through. Repeat this step with remaining onion rings until they are all cooked.

    Keep onion rings warm between batches by placing on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a 250°F oven.

  • Serve immediately with a side of ketchup and enjoy!

Tap stars to rate!

4.86 from 7 votes

Notes

  • Serving size is for roughly 3-4 onion rings.
  • Keep onion rings warm between batches by placing on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a 250 degree oven.

Prep-Ahead Instructions:

Slice the onions a day or two early.

Storage Directions:

If you don’t think you’ll eat all of the onion rings in one setting, it’s better to only air fry what you think you’ll eat. Store the coated but uncooked onion rings in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Pull them out about 10-15 minutes before cooking and follow the directions for cooking. If you want to store already cooked onion rings, place them in a large plastic or glass container with a piece of wax or parchment paper between the layer of rings. Return the onion rings to a 300-325°F air fryer and reheat for a 3-4 minutes.

Recipe Tips:

  • Choose wisely. Grab an onion you like the flavor.
  • Same size. Try your hardest to slice the onions into rings roughly the same width so they cook consistently.
  • Give ’em space. Don’t overload the air fryer.
  • Dig in. These are best enjoyed immediately after making.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 402mg, Potassium: 30mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 106IU, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Made this recipe?Leave a comment below!

Categorized as:
Air Fryer Recipes, , Finger Foods, Gluten-Free, Lunch, Recipes, Side Dishes

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Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table (2024)

FAQs

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe - Evolving Table? ›

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Coat the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place the onion rings in a single layer in the basket, then mist the tops with more nonstick spray. Air fry the onion rings for 7 to 9 minutes, until golden and crisp (no need to flip them).

How to crisp up onion rings in air fryer? ›

Using an Air Fryer to Reheat Onion Rings
  1. Optional: Spray your air fryer basket with a bit of oil.
  2. Place your onion rings in the basket.
  3. Set your temperature to 350.
  4. Cook them for about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the fried onion rings when the outside of the rings are crispy and brown.

How to air fry best choice onion rings? ›

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Coat the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Place the onion rings in a single layer in the basket, then mist the tops with more nonstick spray. Air fry the onion rings for 7 to 9 minutes, until golden and crisp (no need to flip them).

Why are my onion rings not crispy? ›

Too much batter.

This is almost worse than having batter that's too thin. Instead of staying light and crisp, an onion ring with too much batter will retain too much internal moisture, and as soon as it comes out of the oil, the batter starts getting soggy.

How do you keep onion rings crispy after frying? ›

Cornstarch - A secret ingredient that helps the fried onion rings stay nice and crispy even after they have been fried for a little bit. Breadcrumbs - You want to look for Panko bread crumbs, which are a crispy Japanese-style breadcrumb that is much crunchier than traditional plain breadcrumbs.

What is the trick to getting things extra crispy with an air fryer? ›

While we wish it were possible to fry without any oil, air fryers do need a little oil to make your food crispy (but you'll use a lot less than a traditional fryer). Toss your food with a small amount of oil (around a tablespoon or less) to coat it evenly, then add it to the air fryer basket.

What is the best brand of onion rings for air fryer? ›

Nathan's frozen onion rings is my favorite brand. I find they are the best frozen onion rings for the air fryer. My next favorite brand of onion rings is Alexia onion rings. Other popular brands are Red Robin, and Ore Ida onion rings.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

How can I make my air fry better? ›

Most air fryer models will advise you to remove the cooking basket and give it a shake once or twice during the cooking process. But according to our air fryer expert Fiona Mair, you should always add an extra shake. "Definitely shake it more than advised if you want crispy, evenly browned results," she says.

What makes batter stay crispy? ›

A combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder yields a batter that's thick enough to coat whatever you dip it in but that fries into a light crisp.

Why do you soak onions for onion rings? ›

Soaking onions in water for 15-20 minutes helps to neutralize the flavors of the onion and lessen the “bite”. It also brings out a sweet flavor and makes them a bit crunchier.

What is the onion ring strategy? ›

Onion Ring Students form an inner and outer circle facing a partner. The teacher asks a question and the students are given time to respond to their partner. Next, the inner circle rotates one person to the left. The teacher asks another question and the cycle repeats itself.

Why does my batter fall off my onion rings? ›

When it comes to batter, ensure it's not too thin or it will drip right off your onion ring. Also, make sure your batter is ice cold, as this makes for a lighter coating when it's fried. In contrast, ensure your oil is piping hot at around 360 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before dropping in your battered rings.

How do you keep breading from falling off onion rings? ›

Avoid these catastrophes by ensuring the batter adheres to the surface of the onion so each bite results in the perfect combination of flavors and textures. To achieve this goal, the key is to dust your onions with a common household pantry item -- cornstarch -- before plunging them into the batter.

What is the difference between battered and breaded onion rings? ›

Breaded rings are dredged in a dry mixture of flour and seasonings. Add a liquid — like water, beer, or even eggs — to that same blend, and you create a batter. Battered rings are coated in this goopy concoction before going into the fryer.

Can you make soggy fries crispy again in air fryer? ›

Using an air fryer is an excellent and easy way to give your fries that fresh-from-the-fryer crunch. Simply set your air fryer to 350 degrees, then place your leftover fries in a single layer in the fryer basket. Heat them for three to five minutes or until they reach your desired crispiness.

Does air fry make it crispy? ›

The top section of an air fryer holds a heating mechanism and fan. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and when you turn it on, hot air rushes down and around the food. This rapid circulation makes the food crisp—much like deep-frying, but without the oil.

Why does my air fryer not crisp? ›

Why is my food not crispy in an air fryer? If your food is not crispy when coming out of an air fryer, you may not have patted it dry before putting it in to cook. Meat or proteins, or foods you may have washed, will fry better without the added moisture.

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