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Onion Rings

Onions Rings are made with pantry staples and always taste delicious with Fry Sauce or Ranch Dressing. These are seriously the best onion rings that you’ve ever made at home because it is all about the ingredients and I’ll share that secret ingredient with you which will take this onion rings recipe over the top from good to fantastic.

A hand is holding an onion ring and dips it into a small bowl with vegan mayo.

Reasons to love Onion Rings

I add garlic powder and smoked paprika as seasonings to the batter for the onion rings and that makes them so amazing. Each and every bite with flavor.

However, the secret ingredient that you wouldn’t expect is mayo. It makes sure your batter won’t burn and you get that amazing crispy, crunchy texture that you love and know.

Really easy and versatile: for burgers, sandwiches, chilis (Hot Dog Chili), salads (like my Popcorn Salad or the Big Mac Salad), and casseroles such as the Cowboy Casserole.

I’ll share step by step pictures to show everything so you know it will work in no time.

Ingredients needed for making Onion Rings are collected on a wooden board.

What is the difference between regular flour and self rising flour?

I use self rising flour which is a combination of all purpose flour, baking powder and salt. It is a complete package and you do not need anything else. But if you can’t find it, it is really easy to use the following combination:

For each 1 cup all purpose flour use 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. 

What onions for onion rings?

Let me be clear you can absolutely use any kind of onions that you like and want. In my gusto yellow, white or sweet onions are most delicious.

Side by side view. Left: a bowl with floured onion rings. Right: a large mixing bowl with the ingredients for the batter.

What you need for this Onion Rings recipe

Obviously you start with onions and I like to use yellow or white onions, but you can absolutely use red onions if you love them.

As I told you before I find it really important to have a great seasoning. Just a pinch of salt and pepper in my gusto did not do the trick and even won’t make you a great tasting result. I add garlic powder and smoked paprika as I find both provide such a delicious smoky flavor.

 I use peanut oil, because it is a high temperature oil which is great for frying. You can also use canola oil just keep in mind it has a high temperature point. Olive oil is delicious, but not great for frying.

All what’s left is a great batter.

Side by side view of the bowl with the finished batter and how onion rings are given into it.

What is onion ring batter made of?

Self rising flour: a combination of all purpose flour, baking powder and salt. See my suggestions above to make your own easily. The baking powder in this will make all the difference for an amazing, crispy texture.

Dairy free mayo: this is an unexpected ingredient but it takes your onion rings to the next level and makes them better than you’ve ever had them.

Oat milk: usually one uses water, but I add oat milk to make the dough a little bit richer. You can use water, but the dough won’t be as delicious as with milk.

Side by side view of the battered onion rings before and after being given into the deep frying oil.

How to make Onion Rings

Peel the onions and cut off the top. Slice them into 1/2 inch thick rings (you can remove the small parts in the middle).

Prepare batter

Next you will need 2 bowls. Give 1/2 cup of the flour to one. In the other, mix the batter by combining the remaining flour, mayo, milk, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Coat onion rings evenly with flour in the first bowl. If you find it a bit difficult to coat them completely, you add the flour for coating into Ziploc bag with onion rings in batches. Close the bag and shake until coated.

Top view of a large plate with Onion Rings and a portion of vegan mayo.

Fry onions in batches

Next heat oil in a pot to 375F. Add onion rings into the batter and shake them properly. Shake as much excess batter as possible off.

Fry the Onion Rings in batches for around 2 to 3 minutes from each side to make sure they side is perfectly browned.

Serve and enjoy

After frying from both sides, remove them with a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels. Continue frying until all onion rings are done.

Serve hot with fry sauce or ranch.

Closeup of a large serving of Onion Rings.

Tips and tricks

For freezing: let the onion rings cool off completely, transfer into freezer bags and you can have them for 3 months best.

Onion rings are almost great in anything. Seriously there isn’t much what does not taste great.

These taste amazing hot but leftovers will be great for 3 days in the fridge. You can reheat them in the microwave for 10 seconds or in the oven for around 5 minutes until desired texture is reached (don’t forget to preheat your oven to 400F).

Collage of two pictures of the Onion Rings with recipe title text.

Know how good these Onion Rings are and share your remakes on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.

Closeup of a large serving of Onion Rings.

Onion Rings

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Onions Rings are made with pantry staples and always taste delicious with Fry Sauce or Ranch Dressing. These are seriously the best onion rings that you've ever made at home because it is all about the ingredients and I'll share that secret ingredient with you which will take this onion rings recipe over the top from good to fantastic.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium onions
  • oil for frying
  • 1/2 cup self rising flour

For the batter

  • 1 1/2 cups self rising flour
  • 3/4 cup dairy free mayo
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/3 cups oat milk
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

Prepare the onions

  1. Peel the onions and slice them into 1/2 inch thick rings. You should get 20 rings from 2 medium onions.Ingredients needed for making Onion Rings are collected on a wooden board.
  2. Give 1/2 cup of the flour into a bowl and dip the onions into it so that they are evenly coated.
  3. Pro tip: use a Ziploc bag to make things easier. Give onions in batches to flour in the bag, close it and shake it back and fourth. Side by side view. Left: a bowl with floured onion rings. Right: a large mixing bowl with the ingredients for the batter.

Mix the batter

  1. In a second bowl mix batter: add flour, mayo, milk, smoked paprika, garlic powder.
  2. Dip the flour-coated onions completely in your batter. Side by side view of the bowl with the finished batter and how onion rings are given into it.
  3. Heat oil in a pot to 375F (use a kitchen thermometer to check). Shake as much excess batter off the onion rings and give them into the oil.
  4. Fry onion rings in batches from each side for around 2 up 3 minutes. Side by side view of the battered onion rings before and after being given into the deep frying oil.
  5. Repeat until everything is fried, delicious and hot.

Serve

  1. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

    • Leftovers can be used for 3 days.
    • Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds or in the preheated oven at 400F for 5 minutes.
    • To freeze: let cool completely and add to a freezer bag and freeze for 3 months.
    • If you use all purpose flour just add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to your dough.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1 ring
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 80Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 203mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

Glo

Friday 30th of September 2022

I wonder if these can be cooked in a toaster oven/airfryer?

Florian

Friday 30th of September 2022

Hi Gio! I think you can absolutely do this and let me know how it turns out.

Lynda

Friday 13th of May 2022

Can you use dairy mayo instead of plant based mayo

Florian

Friday 13th of May 2022

Hi Lynda! Of course that will work perfectly. You can use any mayo you want and like. 😊 Let me know what you think and hope that helps.

Joy

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

Any chance I could use almond milk instead of oat milk?

Florian

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

Hi Joy! You can of course use almond milk. Hope that helps and let me know what you think. 😊

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