Description
Crispy, golden fried homemade onion rings that are perfectly seasoned and coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust. This recipe uses sweet or yellow onions dipped in a flavorful buttermilk and egg batter, then dredged in a seasoned flour and breadcrumb mixture before frying to perfection. Ideal as a savory snack or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion and Batter
- 1 large sweet or yellow onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rings
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
Dry Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
Frying
- Oil for frying (canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil), enough for deep frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion Rings: Peel and slice the onion into 1/2-inch thick rings, keeping the rings intact. Separate the slices carefully into individual rings to be coated.
- Make the Buttermilk Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until combined. This mixture will soak the onions, helping the dry ingredients stick and adding moisture for a tender interior.
- Prepare the Dry Coating Mix: In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, place the panko bread crumbs.
- Coat the Onion Rings: Dip each onion ring first into the buttermilk batter, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coat. Dip again into the buttermilk mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep fryer or large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Use enough oil to submerge the onion rings for even frying.
- Fry the Onion Rings: Carefully place a few coated onion rings into the hot oil without crowding. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried rings to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the onion rings hot with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, or spicy aioli for extra flavor.
Notes
- Use sweet onions for a milder flavor or yellow onions for a slightly more pungent taste.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure crispy and non-greasy onion rings.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid oil temperature drop, which can cause soggy coating.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide extra crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- You can prepare the coating stations and batter ahead and assemble just before frying for efficiency.
Keywords: onion rings, fried onion rings, homemade onion rings, crispy onion rings, appetizer, snack