Can I bake these onion rings instead of frying?

While baking is possible, the results just can’t match the shatteringly crisp texture of frying. If you must, spray battered rings with oil and bake at 425°F until golden, flipping once midway. Still delicious, just not as light and crunchy.

What’s the best oil for frying onion rings?

Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point—vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are all great choices. Avoid olive oil, as it can burn at frying temps and add unwanted flavors.

Can I use a different kind of onion?

Absolutely! While jumbo yellow onions work beautifully, feel free to sub in sweet onions like Vidalia for extra sugariness or even try red onions for a bolder color and flavor.

How can I make the batter thicker or thinner?

If the batter seems too runny, whisk in an extra tablespoon or two of flour until it coats the onion rings nicely. Too thick? Add a splash more beer or seltzer until it’s just right—the goal is a light, pourable batter that clings.

Onion Rings Recipe - LittleSpoonBites

Description

Crispy, golden onion rings made from jumbo yellow onions are dipped in a flavorful, light beer batter and fried to perfection. This snack or side dish is wonderfully crunchy, with a hint of sweetness and spice in the batter, and can be served with your favorite dipping sauces for the perfect treat.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Onions

1 jumbo yellow onion (about 1 pound)

Dusting

1/3 cup corn starch

Batter

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Up to 2 tablespoons additional flour as needed
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (12 oz.) can beer (or seltzer water as substitute)

For Frying

48 oz. vegetable oil (or canola oil)

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Instructions

Prepare the Onion – Peel the onion and position it so the stem is facing outward (not up or down). Slice the onion into ½-inch thick rings and separate them. For best texture and less sharp flavor, optionally soak the rings in ice water for 15 minutes, then pat completely dry before proceeding.
Set Up for Frying – Place cooling racks over a baking sheet near the frying station to drain the onion rings after cooking.
Coat Onion Rings – Toss the separated onion rings in the corn starch, ensuring each ring is evenly coated. This helps the batter adhere better and leads to crispier results.
Prepare the Batter – In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the beer until you form a thin, pancake-like batter. If needed, add up to 2 tablespoons extra flour for desired consistency.
Heat the Oil – Add the oil to a deep fryer or heavy pot and heat to 365–375°F (185–190°C). Make sure oil is at temperature before frying.
Batter and Fry – Dip 4-5 onion rings at a time in the batter, shaking off any excess. Carefully lower into the hot oil; the rings should float to the top quickly if the oil is hot enough. Fry for about 1 minute and 20 seconds, flip when golden brown, and cook another 45 seconds. Remove and transfer to the prepared cooling rack.
Repeat and Serve – Continue battering and frying the remaining onion rings in batches. Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce such as ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce, or a combination.
Keep Warm (Optional) – To keep the onion rings warm and crisp while frying in batches, place the cooling rack (with rings) in a 200°F (93°C) oven until ready to serve.

Notes

Soaking onions in ice water can help make the rings crunchier and mellow out the flavor.
Shake off excess batter to avoid clumps and excess oil absorption.
The oil temperature is crucial for crispy rings—use a thermometer if possible.
Handle hot onion rings carefully; a fork works well to flip and remove them from oil.
For an easy dipping sauce, mix equal parts BBQ sauce and ranch dressing; adjust flavor as desired.

Nutrition

Serving Size: about 1/6th of recipe
Calories: ~340
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg