Crispy, crunchy, hot, and oh-so delicious—the perfect Onion Rings aren’t at your local drive-through, they’re made right in your own kitchen!
While deep-fried sides are often associated with American food, many believe that onion rings actually have their origins in British or French cuisine. One of the earliest recipes for onion rings comes from the 1802 publication The Art of Cookery Made Easy and Refined by British author John Mollard. Back then, onion rings were made with a seasoned crust of Parmesan and fried in lard.
Regardless of who invented them, these crisp, crunchy, and satisfying rings are delicious on their own, paired with sandwiches or BBQ, and dipped into all different types of sauces—my personal favorite is a creamy Aioli.
If you love onion rings, you know that ordering them from a restaurant leads to disappointment at least half the time. You’re so excited to bite into a crispy ring, only to take one nibble and realize that they’re the opposite of crunchy. Luckily, there’s one foolproof way to avoid soggy rings—make them yourself at home!
Are Onion Rings Healthy?
While onions are a vegetable, these fried treats don’t offer much in the way of vitamins, fiber, or protein. Don’t let this stop you from digging into this fan favorite—just consider enjoying them in moderation.
The secret Sauce
Order up some onion rings in a restaurant, and you might get them alongside any number of different dipping sauces. But the best is one that’s creamy, zesty, and maybe even a bit spicy. One of the best sauces for your homemade onion rings is this tasty concoction!
Combine apple cider vinegar, cayenne, ketchup, and mayonnaise to make a tangy, scrumptious sauce. Alternatively, you could mix together your favorite spicy sauces (like Tabasco and sriracha) and some mayo for a quick and easy dip.
How To Make Ahead and Store
Onion rings are easy enough to make—just dredge, fry, and dine! Though they’re best fresh, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. They do, however, require a little work to get them back to crispy and delicious appetizers after being stored in the fridge. The longer they’re refrigerated, the limper the onion rings become, which is why I recommend baking leftovers in your oven. Avoid freezing onion rings, and instead, try to make them fresh when you need them.
Serving Suggestions
Onion rings go perfectly with so many entrées; it’s no wonder so many restaurants serve them as a side option or appetizer! If you don’t want to try the secret sauce we included above, Homemade Ranch Dressing pairs perfectly with these onion rings, too. Serve your onion rings alongside a decadent Fried Egg Burger or some Baked BBQ Chicken Legs for the perfect all-American meal.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion sliced into 1/4-inch rings
- 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Slice the onion into 1/4-inch-thick rings and separate them carefully.
- Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 365°F.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another dish, whisk the buttermilk and egg. Place the breadcrumbs in a third dish.
- Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, dip into the buttermilk mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs. Place on a wire rack.
- Fry the onion rings in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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