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Fried Onion Rings

Fried Onion Rings are a crispy and delicious appetizer or side dish that is so easy to make at home. Onions are dipped into buttermilk and a seasoned flour then deep fried.

Burgers and onion rings is one of our favorite restaurant meals but they are even better homemade and we love to serve them up with Blooming Onion Sauce.

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Fried onion rings on a platter with bowl of dipping sauce.

This crispy onion rings recipe has a light batter that doesn’t absorb so much oil like beer batter does. Extra crispy onion rings without being so greasy.

Ingredients Needed

  • Onions ~ Sweet onions are preferred, yellow onions work well too.
  • Buttermilk ~ If you don’t have buttermilk, make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a scant cup of milk.
  • All Purpose Flour ~ Creates the base for the crispy breading.
  • Creole Seasoning ~ Adds a bit of spice, garlic and a smoky kick to the batter. We have also used Lawry’s Season Salt or Mrs Dash Seasonings. Use your favorite or a combination of salt, pepper and garlic.
  • Kosher Salt ~ Seasons the flour and you can add additional salt after frying if desired.
  • Vegetable Oil ~ We almost always have vegetable oil on hand for frying. Peanut oil is even better if you have it.

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Step By Step Directions

STEP 1 Peel and slice 2 onions. Separating into rings. Save the smaller pieces for another use.

Flour and Creole seasoning in a bowl.

STEP 2 In a shallow bowl, combine flour with Creole seasoning and salt.

Sliced onions, seasoned flour, buttermilk in 3 bowls.

STEP 3 Add the buttermilk to another bowl.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Collage: breading onion rings, on a lined baking sheet.

STEP 4 Dredge onions through the flour, then dip into the buttermilk and then back into the flour, completely coating. Shake off the excess flour. Place in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. If you fill the sheet pan, place another sheet of parchment over the breaded onion rings and create another layer.

Pro Tip: Freeze the breaded onion rings for about 15 minutes. This will set the breading onto the onions so that it doesn’t fall off during frying.

STEP 5 Heat the vegetable oil in a dutch oven or heavy bottom, deep sided pan to 350° using a fry thermometer.

Line another rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack and top with paper towels.

Frying onion rings in a dutch oven.

STEP 6 Drop onion rings into hot oil being careful not to splash. Cook a few at a time, not over crowding the pan.

Frying onion rings.

Turn onion rings after about 1 minute, continue to cook until onion rings are golden brown.

Onion rings on a paper towel.

STEP 7 Remove to a wire rack to drain.

Platter of onion rings.

Serve immediately.

Dipping onion ring in blooming onion sauce.

Best Dipping Sauces for Onion Rings

  • Outback Blooming Onion Sauce is the best for dipping deep fried onion rings.
  • Ketchup is always a classic choice or try a spicy ketchup to switch things up.
  • Chick Fil A Sauce is another favorite for dipping onion rings or fries.

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • Storage: Store leftover onion rings in a zip top bag or airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 day.
  • Reheat: Place onion rings on a sheet pan in a single and bake for 3- 5 minutes at 425° or in an air fryer at 375° for 3- 4 minutes.
  • Serving Suggestions: Onion rings make a great topping for burgers and sandwiches. Serve as an appetizer or side dish for any meal.
Platter of onion rings with dipping sauce.

Southern fried foods like fried shrimp, fried chicken strips, hush puppies and fried okra are impossible to resist. However if you are looking for a healthier version, our Air Fryer Onion Rings are a great option.

Crispy homemade Fried Onion Rings are really quick and easy to make at home and are sure to rival your favorite restaurant version.

If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a comment and a five star review. Help us share on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

Fried Onion Rings on a platter.
Print Recipe
4.34 from 3 votes

Fried Onion Rings

Fried Onion Rings are a crispy and delicious appetizer or side dish that is so easy to make at home. Onions are dipped into buttermilk and a seasoned flour then deep fried.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breading for crisp onion rings, crispy onion rings, onion rings that aren’t greasy
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 374kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut each end off of each onion and remove the peeling. Slice into 3/8 inch slices, separating into rings. Save the smaller pieces for another use.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine flour with Creole seasoning and salt.
  • Add the buttermilk to another bowl.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Dredge onions through the flour, then dip into the buttermilk and then back into the flour, completely coating. Shake off the excess flour.
  • Place in a single layer on the lined baking sheet. If you fill the sheet pan, place another sheet of parchment over the breaded onion rings and create another layer.
  • Freeze the breaded onion rings for about 15 minutes. This will set the breading onto the onions so that it doesn't fall off during frying.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a dutch oven or heavy bottom, deep sided pan to 350° using a fry thermometer.
  • Line another rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack and top with paper towels.
  • Drop onion rings into hot oil being careful not to splash. Cook a few at a time, not over crowding the pan.
  • Turn onion rings after about 1 minute, continue to cook until onion rings are golden brown.
  • Remove to a wire rack to drain.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Storage: Store leftover onion rings in a zip top bag or airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 day.
  • Reheat: Place onion rings on a sheet pan in a single and bake for 3- 5 minutes at 425° or in an air fryer at 375° for 3- 4 minutes.
  • Serving Suggestions: Onion rings make a great topping for burgers and sandwiches. Serve as an appetizer or side dish for any meal.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 2166mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g

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