Air fryer onion rings are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried onion rings. Made with a crunchy coating of panko breadcrumbs and seasonings, these air fryer onion rings are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The air fryer uses hot air to circulate around the food, creating a crispy texture without the need for excessive oil.
This means you can indulge in your favorite comfort foods, like onion rings, without feeling guilty. Making onion rings in the air fryer is quick and easy, making it a perfect snack or side dish for any occasion.
Tips and Tricks for Making The BEST Air Fryer Onion Rings
Here are some tips and tricks to make the best air fryer onion rings:
- Choose the right onions: For crispy and flavorful onion rings, choose sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla. These onions have a mild flavor and are not too pungent, making them perfect for frying.
- Cut them right: Cut the onions into uniform 1/2-inch rings. Avoid cutting them too thin, as they will not hold their shape during frying.
- Soak the onions: Soaking the onions in buttermilk or a mixture of milk and vinegar for at least 30 minutes before breading will make them more tender and flavorful.
- Use the right breading: A mixture of flour, cornmeal, and spices will create a crispy and flavorful coating for your onion rings. You can also use panko breadcrumbs or a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese for added texture and flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes before adding the onion rings. This will ensure that the onion rings cook evenly and become crispy.
- Arrange the onion rings in a single layer: Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the onion rings from getting crispy.
- Spray with cooking spray: Lightly spray the onion rings with cooking spray to help them brown evenly.
- Flip the onion rings halfway through cooking: Flip the onion rings over halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Serve immediately: Serve the onion rings immediately after cooking to ensure they stay crispy.
Which Onions are Best for making Onion Rings in air fryer?
The best onions for making onion rings are yellow or sweet onions. These onions have a mild and sweet flavor that complements the crispy texture of the batter.
Red onions are not recommended for making onion rings because they have a stronger and more pungent flavor that may overpower the taste of the batter. When choosing onions, make sure they are fresh and firm to ensure the best texture and taste in your onion rings.
How long to cook Onion Rings Air Fryer?
The cooking time for onion rings in an air fryer varies depending on the size and thickness of the onion rings, as well as the specific model of the air fryer used.
Generally, preheating the air fryer to 400°F and cooking the onion rings for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, should result in crispy and golden onion rings.
It is recommended to check the onion rings periodically and adjust the cooking time as needed based on their appearance and the level of crispiness desired.
How do you make onion rings crispy in air fryer? and why are my onion rings not crispy?
To make crispy onion rings in the air fryer, you can follow these tips:
Use Panko breadcrumbs
Panko breadcrumbs are coarser and lighter than regular breadcrumbs and will give your onion rings a crispy texture.
Use cornstarch
Dip your onion rings in cornstarch before dipping them in the egg and breadcrumb mixture. This will help the coating adhere better and make them crispier.
Preheat the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F before adding the onion rings. This will ensure that the heat is evenly distributed and the rings cook evenly.
Use cooking spray
Lightly spray the onion rings with cooking spray before air frying to help them brown and crisp up.
Flip halfway through
Flip the onion rings halfway through the cooking time to ensure that they are evenly cooked on both sides and crisp up nicely.
By following these tips, you can make delicious and crispy onion rings in your air fryer.
How long do you fry frozen onion rings in air fryer?
When cooking air fryer frozen onion rings, the general guideline is to add an extra 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. Therefore, you should cook air fryer frozen onion rings for around 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
However, it is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of the onion rings, as well as the type and power of the air fryer used. It is always recommended to check the onion rings frequently while cooking to ensure they do not burn or overcook.
Air fryer frozen onion rings VS fresh air fryer onion rings
It really depends on personal preference and convenience.
Air fryer frozen onion rings can be a quick and easy option for those who want to save time on prep work. They are also consistent in size and thickness, which can help with even cooking. However, they may not be as fresh as homemade onion rings and may contain more preservatives.
Fresh onion rings in the air fryer, on the other hand, can be made with your preferred type of onion and can be seasoned to your liking. They may take more time to prepare and may require more effort, but they can be a healthier and fresher option.
Ultimately, the decision between frozen and fresh onion rings comes down to personal preference, convenience, and dietary concerns.
Are you looking for an air fryer cookbook specific to the UK’s recipes? I recommend this cookbook for you.
This cookbook focuses on recipes from the UK and includes over +90 dishes designed for the air fryer. Despite its low price, it offers a substantial amount of content. I hope you enjoy it! You can find it HERE
You can also read:
- Make French Fries in Air Fryer you will be amazed
- Air fryer vs deep fryer, Which one is better?
- Best air fryer brands
- Which one is the best? Air Fryer vs Oven
- What are the best air fryers in 2023? unexpectedly choices
- BEST AIR FRYER CHICKEN THIGHS
- Air fryer Chicken wings (3 ways )
- Air fryer chicken legs
- How to make air fryer fried chicken
The recipe for air fryer onion rings to save or print
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make perfectly crispy and delicious onion rings in the air fryer with just a few simple ingredients and steps. Get ready to enjoy some guilt-free and delicious air fryer onion rings that your whole family will love!
Air fryer onion rings
Equipment
- Air Fryer Basket
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt divided
- 1/2 cup buttermilk see tips above for making your own
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow sweet onion sliced 1/2-inch thick and separated into rings
- Oil Spray optional
Instructions
- You need 4 shallow bowls or deep plates. In the first one combine flour, paprika, and ½ tsp salt. In the second combine buttermilk (or milk and vinegar/lemon juice) and egg, then add ¼ cup of the flour mixture from the first bowl. In the third combine panko breadcrumbs, ½ tsp salt and olive oil with a fork, until the oil is evenly distributed. Put half of the panko in a fourth bowl so you can switch to the second part after the first got sticky.
- Pat dry the onion rings with paper towels to remove excessive moisture. Using a fork, dredge the onion rings in the flour mixture, drop them in the buttermilk mixture and then dredge them in the panko mixture. (TIP: Freeze the breaded onion rings for 15 minutes on a baking sheet, this helps the panko mixture to stick better.)
- Spray Air Fryer Basket with oil spray. Place onion rings in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket. You can place smaller rings inside bigger rings if necessary, just make sure there is space between them.
- Cook at 400°F until golden brown and crispy, about 11-15 minutes. Spray with some cooking spray after about 6 minutes. You don't need to turn the onion rings.
- Carefully lift out the onion rings with a cookie spatula or fork and serve.
Notes
- Make sure to use sweet onions for this recipe! White and yellow onions don't work well with the breading.
- This recipe is messy but well worth the effort. Read all my tips before starting!
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs you could also use normal breadcrumbs but the result might not be as crispy.
- Divide the panko breadcrumb mixture in two so you can switch to the second batch after the first gets sticky.
- Use a fork and not your hands to coat the onion rings.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make your own by adding 1 Tbsp of vinegar or lemon/lime juice to ½ cup of milk.
- The cook time depends on your Air Fryer model. Keep an eye on them!
- Be careful when lifting the onion rings out of the basket! I recommend using a cookie spatula or fork to lift them out.
