Crispy Fried Onion Rings, the nightmare of some and the delight of others, onion is one ingredient with no half-measures; you hate it or love it with exaggerated intensity.
I find myself among those who idolize it without reservations, and like fresh garlic, I consider it a fundamental part of my kitchen. Today's recipe is very simple, but it makes a difference when it accompanies countless meals.
I am sure that when you try it, you'll fall in love as much as my family and I did!
How to Make Onion Rings
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Peel the onions, slice them ½ to ¾-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1- ½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
(The rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch or cornmeal, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cayenne, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.
When you're ready to fry the Rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot. (A candy thermometer attached to the pot's side will help you maintain the proper temperature.)
In batches, lift some onions from the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs.
Don't crowd them! Place the finished on the baking sheet, sprinkle them with kosher salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the Crispy Fried Onions and place them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 3 large yellow onions , halved and thinly sliced on a mandoline
- 1-½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch or yellow cornmeal
- 2 cups Buttermilk , milk, or cold water
- 1- quart canola or vegetable oil for frying
- 2-½ teaspoons Kosher salt to taste , divided
- 1-½ teaspoon ground black pepper , divided
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
Instructions
- Peel the onions, slice them ½ to ¾-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.)
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, paprika, cornstarch, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cayenne, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.)
- Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them!
- Place the finished Crispy Fried Onions on the baking sheet, sprinkle with kosher salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve your Crispy Fried Onions on top of a burger, as a standalone appetizer, or as a side dish for just about any meal; the possibilities are endless!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
