Crispy Air-Fried Onion Rings
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk (or buttermilk, if preferred)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch)
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Prepare the Onion:
- Peel the onion and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rings.
- Separate the rings carefully, discarding the smaller inner ones or saving them for another recipe.
- Coat with Flour:
- Place 1/4 cup of flour in a large bowl or a ziplock bag.
- Add the onion rings and shake or toss to coat each ring lightly and evenly with flour.
- Make the Batter:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Beat the egg and milk (or buttermilk) together, then stir into the dry ingredients until smooth. The batter should be thick enough to coat the onion rings but not overly gloopy.
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Feel free to add a pinch of paprika, garlic powder, or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
- Dip and Dredge:
- Dip each floured onion ring into the batter, allowing excess batter to drip off.
- Immediately dredge the ring in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
- Arrange for Air Frying:
- Lightly spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.
- Place the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Spritz the tops of the onion rings lightly with more cooking spray or oil for a crispy finish.
- Cook:
- Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the rings are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve:
- Carefully remove the onion rings from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, spicy mayo, or ketchup.
Notes:
- Buttermilk adds a subtle tanginess and extra tenderness to the batter, so don’t hesitate to substitute it for regular milk.
- For a spicier kick, mix cayenne pepper or chili powder into the batter or breadcrumb mixture.
- To make in batches, keep the cooked onion rings warm in a low oven (200°F) while you finish air-frying the rest.
Enjoy your homemade, crispy, air-fried onion rings—perfect as a snack, appetizer, or side dish!