Description
These crispy fried onion rings are a delicious snack or side dish, sure to satisfy your cravings!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large yellow or white onions
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup sparkling water (or milk/buttermilk)
- 2–3 inches neutral oil for frying (such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil)
- Optional seasonings: Parmesan cheese, chili-lime seasoning, ranch powder, nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Prepare Your Onions: First, peel your chosen onions. Using a mandoline slicer set to its thinnest setting (or your sharpest knife), carefully slice the onions into paper-thin rings. The thinner, the better! Gently separate the rings and place them in a large bowl.
- Soak (Optional, but Recommended): For an even milder flavor, soak the separated onion rings in a bowl of ice water for about 15-20 minutes. This helps reduce their pungency and makes them even crisper. After soaking, drain them thoroughly and pat them very, very dry with paper towels.
- Whip Up the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until well combined. Gradually pour in the cold sparkling water (or your chosen liquid), whisking continuously until you have a smooth, thin batter.
- Heat the Oil: If deep frying, pour about 2-3 inches of neutral oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C).
- Batter and Fry: Working in small batches, dip a handful of dried onion rings into the batter, ensuring they are lightly coated. Lift them out, allowing any excess batter to drip off, then carefully place them into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the rings from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Season Immediately: As soon as the onion ring chips come out of the oil, sprinkle them generously with extra salt and any optional seasonings. The heat will help the seasonings adhere.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the seasoned chips to a serving platter and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, spicy mayonnaise, ranch, or BBQ sauce.
Notes
- Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so ensure the onion rings are very dry before battering.
- For baking, lightly spray coated onion rings with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg