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A basket of easy crispy onion rings, perfectly golden and crunchy, served with a side of ketchup. One onion ring is broken open to show the soft onion inside the crispy crust.

Easy Crispy Onion Rings Recipe (Perfectly Golden & Crunchy

Make restaurant-style crispy onion rings at home with this easy recipe. Light, golden, and extra crunchy perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party side dish. ya kasa ha
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Fast Food
Calories: 1100
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Sweet onions like Vidalia work best. Sweet onions like Vidalia work best.
  • 1 cup Sweet onions like Vidalia work best. All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Paprika Adds a beautiful color.
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt | Plus more for sprinkling after frying
  • 2-3 cups Vegetable or Canola Oil For deep frying.

Equipment

  • 2 Medium-sized Bowls| One for flour, one for buttermilk
  • 1 Heavy-bottomed Pot For stable oil temperature
  • 1 Kitchen Tongs For safely handling the rings in oil
  • 1 Wire Cooling Rack Essential for keeping the rings crispy

Method
 

  1. Prep the Onions: Slice the onion into ½-inch thick rounds. Carefully separate the rounds into individual rings.
    A top-down shot of a chef's hands using a sharp knife to separate sliced onions into individual rings on a dark wooden cutting board, the first step to making homemade crispy onion rings
  2. Prep the Onions: Slice the onion into ½-inch thick rounds. Carefully separate the rounds into individual rings.
    A top-down view of a dredging station for crispy onion rings, with a bowl of seasoned dry mix, a bowl of wet batter, and raw onion rings arranged on a dark wooden table.
  3. Heat the Oil: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F / 175°C.
    A black cast-iron pot filled with cooking oil being heated to 350°F, checked with a deep-fry thermometer, in preparation for frying crispy onion rings.
  4. Coat the Rings (The "Double Dip" Hack): Working one ring at a time, first dredge it in the flour mixture, then dip it completely in the buttermilk, and finally dredge it back into the flour mixture for a thick coating.
    A hand dipping a wet-battered onion ring into a bowl of seasoned flour, demonstrating the double-dip coating method for making extra crispy onion rings.
  5. Fry Until Golden: Carefully place 3-4 coated rings into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are deep golden brown and crispy.
    A close-up action shot of three battered onion rings frying to a perfect golden-brown in a pot of hot, bubbling oil, creating the ultimate crispy onion rings.
  6. Drain and Salt: Using tongs, remove the onion rings from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain. Immediately sprinkle with salt while they are still hot. Serve immediately.
    A chef sprinkling salt over a pile of hot, freshly fried crispy onion rings that are draining on a black wire rack to ensure maximum crispiness and flavor.

Notes

  • The Ultimate Crispy Hack: The secret to a shatteringly crisp coating is the combination of cornstarch in the flour and using ice-cold sparkling water or beer for the batter. The cold liquid and the bubbles create a light, airy batter that fries up incredibly crunchy.
  • Make the Batter Stick: The "double dip" method is key. Dredging the onion rings in the dry flour mixture before dipping them in the wet batter and again after gives the batter something to grip onto, so it won't slide off in the fryer.
  • No Buttermilk? No Problem! If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute. Simply add one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to one cup of regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • Keep Them Crispy: To keep a large batch warm and crispy while you fry, you can place the finished onion rings on a wire rack in an oven preheated to 200°F (95°C).
  • Storing & Reheating: Onion rings are best enjoyed fresh. To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. To bring back the crunch, reheat them in an air fryer or a hot oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes. Never use a microwave.