Crispy Fried Onion Rings
Enhance your meals with crispy, flavorful onion rings. Pair this savory deep-fried treat with steaks, burgers, and more!
This post may contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy.
Crispy fried onion rings are one of those sides that make any meal feel instantly more fun. Thick, tender onion rings are dipped in a simple batter, then fried until the coating is golden and crunchy while the onions inside turn sweet and soft. They’re the perfect companion for burgers, grilled steaks, and casual cookouts.
This version keeps things straightforward with basic pantry ingredients and a shallow pot of hot oil. The batter comes together in minutes, and you can fry in batches while holding finished rings in a low oven so everything stays crisp until serving time. Add your favorite dipping sauce and you’ve got a restaurant-style treat at home.
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Classic steakhouse flavor. These onion rings taste like the crispy side you’d get with a burger or steak dinner—lightly seasoned, crunchy on the outside, and sweet on the inside without being overly heavy.
- Simple pantry batter. Flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, an egg, and milk are all you need for the coating. There’s no need to fuss with breadcrumbs, cornstarch, or specialty ingredients to get a satisfying crunch.
- Customizable seasoning. The base batter is mild and versatile, so you can keep it simple or add spices like paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne for a more assertive flavor without changing the technique.
- Perfect with dips and toppings. These onion rings pair beautifully with ketchup, ranch, spicy mayo, or barbecue sauce, and they also make an amazing crunchy topping for burgers, sandwiches, or even casseroles.
Ingredient Notes
- Onions – Use large yellow or sweet onions and slice them into even 1/4-inch rounds so they cook at the same rate. Sweeter onions (like Vidalia or other sweet varieties) will give you a milder, more naturally sweet ring, while standard yellow onions offer a bit more bite.
- Vegetable oil – Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works well for deep frying, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. You’ll want enough to give you 1 1/2 to 2 inches of depth in your pan so the rings can float and brown evenly.
- All-purpose flour – This forms the base of the batter and helps it cling to the onion rings. Measure it lightly so the batter doesn’t turn overly thick; you want a pourable consistency that still coats the rings.
- Salt and pepper – Salt seasons the batter and the onions, while a dash of black pepper adds a subtle background warmth. You can sprinkle a little extra salt over the hot onion rings as soon as they come out of the oil if you like a more assertively seasoned crust.
- Baking powder – This gives the batter lightness and a bit of lift, helping the coating fry up crisp and slightly puffy instead of dense.
- Egg – The egg helps bind the batter and gives the coating structure so it grips the onions. It also contributes to the golden color when the rings hit the hot oil.
- Whole milk – Whole milk adds richness and just enough body to create a smooth, pourable batter. You can use 2% milk if needed, but the batter will be slightly thinner.
How to Make Crispy Fried Onion Rings
- Prepare the pan by lining a baking sheet with paper towels and warming the oven so you can hold the finished onion rings while you fry the rest.
- Slice the onions into even rings, separate them gently, and set them aside so they’re ready to batter as soon as the oil is hot.
- Heat a few inches of oil in a deep, heavy pan or deep fryer until it is hot enough for frying; the oil should be shimmering and a bit of batter should sizzle immediately when added.
- Make the dry mix by whisking together the flour, salt, pepper, and baking powder in a medium bowl so the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the milk until smooth, then pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir or whisk just until a smooth, pourable batter forms.
- Working in batches, dip several onion rings into the batter, letting any excess drip off, then carefully lower them into the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp, turning as needed so they brown evenly.
- Transfer the fried onion rings to the paper towel–lined baking sheet to drain, sprinkle with a little extra salt if desired, and keep them warm in the oven while you repeat with the remaining batches.
Crispy Fried Onion Rings Tips
- Slice the onions as evenly as possible so they cook uniformly and you don’t end up with some rings overdone while others are still pale.
- Dry the onion rings lightly with paper towels before dipping them if they seem very wet; too much surface moisture can thin the batter and make it slide off.
- Check your oil temperature between batches so it stays hot enough for crisp frying; if the oil cools too much, the batter will soak up more oil and turn greasy instead of crisp.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan so the rings can float freely and brown evenly; several small batches produce better texture than one overfilled pot.
- Serve the onion rings soon after frying for the best crunch, using the warm oven only as a short holding place while you finish remaining batches.
Recipe Variations
- Seasoned batter onion rings. Add paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the flour mixture for a more robust, slightly spicy flavor. This variation is especially good with burgers or grilled meats.
- Beer-battered onion rings. Replace some or all of the milk with a light beer to create a looser, airy batter. The carbonation helps the coating puff and crisp, and the beer adds a subtle malty flavor.
- Extra-crispy double-dipped rings. Dredge the onion rings lightly in plain flour before dipping them into the batter. The thin flour coating helps the batter cling better and creates a thicker, ultra-crispy shell.
- Cheesy onion rings. Stir a small handful of finely grated Parmesan into the dry ingredients before adding the egg and milk. The cheese adds a savory note and a slightly more textured crust.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a side with burgers, fried chicken cutlets, steak, or sandwiches.
- Add dipping sauces like ranch, spicy ketchup, or garlic aioli.
- Pair with barbecue or grilled meats at summer cookouts.
- Enjoy as a snack or appetizer with cold drinks and finger foods.
How to Store
- Refrigerate: Let leftover onion rings cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container lined with paper towels and refrigerate for up to 3 days; they will soften in the fridge but can be crisped again with proper reheating.
- Reheat: Arrange the onion rings in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm them in a hot oven or air fryer until heated through and crisped, turning once; avoid microwaving alone, as it tends to make the coating rubbery.
Crispy Fried Onion Rings
Enhance your meals with crispy, flavorful onion rings. Pair this savory deep-fried treat with steaks, burgers, and more!
Ingredients
- 3 large onions, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
- Vegetable oil , for deep frying
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Dash freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and heat the oven to 175°F or 200°F.
- Separate the sliced onions into rings.
- Heat about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vegetable oil to 365°F in a deep fryer or in a deep, heavy pan over medium-high heat.
- Combine the flour, salt, pepper, and baking powder in a mixing bowl; whisk to blend.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with the milk until well blended. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to blend.
- Dip several onion rings into the batter to coat, then drop them in the hot oil. Avoid overcrowding as it will lower the temperature. Fry the onion rings for about 2 minutes or until golden brown, turning to brown both sides.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onion rings to the paper towel-lined pan. Sprinkle lightly with salt and place them in the warm oven. They will stay crisp for 20 to 25 minutes. Repeat with the remaining onion rings.
Nutrition
Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 262mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
