Onion rings are a beloved snack and side dish, offering a perfect blend of crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior. Making them at home, however, can often feel daunting, especially if you’re looking to avoid the hassle and mess of deep frying. Enter the air fryer, a kitchen marvel that allows you to achieve that perfect crispness with much less oil and fuss. This Simple and Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe will guide you through creating delicious, golden-brown onion rings right in your own kitchen. Perfect for game day, a family gathering, or a simple treat, these onion rings are sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients for Simple and Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
For the Onion Rings:
- 2 large yellow onions
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray
For Serving (optional):
- Ketchup
- Ranch dressing
- Spicy mayo
How to Make Simple and Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
Step 1: Prepare the Onions
- Begin by peeling the onions and slicing them into 1/4-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and set them aside.
- Place the onion rings in a large bowl of ice water and let them soak for about 30 minutes. This helps to reduce their sharpness and makes them more tender.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
- In one shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
- In a second shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs until well combined.
- In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Step 3: Bread the Onion Rings
- Drain the onion rings and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Working in batches, dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
- Dip the floured onion ring into the buttermilk and egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Finally, coat the onion ring with panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.
- Place the breaded onion rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Air Fry the Onion Rings
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Lightly spray the tops of the onion rings with cooking spray. This helps them achieve a golden and crispy exterior.
- Air fry the onion rings at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. They should be golden brown and crispy when done.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Once the onion rings are done cooking, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the crispy air fryer onion rings immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo.
About the Main Ingredients
Yellow Onions
Yellow onions are the preferred choice for making onion rings due to their balanced flavor and natural sweetness. They offer a mild, yet savory taste that becomes even more delicious when cooked. Soaking the onion rings in ice water before breading helps to reduce their pungency and ensures they are tender inside while still achieving a crispy outer layer.
All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is used as the base for the breading mixture. It helps to create a light and crispy coating on the onion rings. The addition of baking powder to the flour mixture ensures that the coating puffs up slightly, giving the onion rings a delightful crunch.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor to the batter and helps to tenderize the onions. It also acts as a binding agent, allowing the flour mixture to adhere better to the onion rings. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.
Panko Breadcrumbs
Panko breadcrumbs are essential for achieving the ultimate crispy texture in air fryer onion rings. They are lighter and coarser than regular breadcrumbs, which allows them to create a wonderfully crunchy exterior. Panko breadcrumbs also help to ensure that the onion rings remain crispy for longer periods.
Cooking Spray
Using cooking spray in the air fryer helps to achieve that golden-brown color and crispy texture without the need for deep frying. It also ensures that the onion rings cook evenly and don’t stick to the air fryer basket.
By following this simple and detailed guide, you can enjoy deliciously crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings that are perfect for any occasion. These onion rings are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, and they taste just as good, if not better. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear in no time!
