Crispy Golden Onion Rings (Printable format)

Crispy, golden onion rings in light batter, fried to perfection for an irresistible appetizer or snack.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rings

→ Batter

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1/2 cup cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 cup cold sparkling water or cold beer

→ Coating

09 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil for deep frying

# How-To Steps:

01 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, and garlic powder until well combined.
03 - Gradually whisk in the cold sparkling water or beer until a smooth, thick batter forms.
04 - Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
05 - Working in batches, dip onion rings into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. For extra crunch, dredge battered rings in panko breadcrumbs before frying.
06 - Carefully lower onion rings into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp.
07 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sparkling water creates an incredibly light, airy batter that stays crispy longer than traditional recipes
  • They come together in just 30 minutes but taste like they came from a restaurant kitchen
02 -
  • Cold batter is absolutely crucial—warm batter won't cling properly and you'll end up with naked onions swimming in your oil
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature dramatically, leading to soggy, greasy rings instead of crispy ones
03 -
  • Let the battered rings sit on a wire rack for 5 minutes before frying to help the coating set and reduce dripping
  • Save your smallest onion rings for garnishing burgers or salads—they fry up extra crispy and look beautiful
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