Crunchy Onion Rings You’ll Love

When life gives you onions, why not turn them into onion rings? If you weren’t around when I first threw these together, this recipe is all about those crave-worthy, crunchy onion rings you’ll love. You know, the kind that disappear before you’ve even set them on the table. Trust me, once you’ve tasted these, you’ll be skipping over those sad, soggy rings from the drive-thru and reaching for seconds here at home. These are special because they’re everything you want in an onion ring: crispy outside, tender inside, and a little messy to make, which somehow just makes them taste even better.
Speaking of messy, you should’ve seen our kitchen the first time my husband and I made these beauties. Total disaster zone, but oh, was it worth it. Every weekend, it’s basically the same dance — kids running around, husband dodging my flying flour, and me, trying not to taste test too many straight out of the fryer. This recipe has been the unsung hero of our game-day spreads. It’s like a family ritual now; one that gets happily messier each time, just like us.
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Why You’ll Love This Crunchy Onion Rings You’ll Love
1. They’re like wearing sweatpants on a chilly day — comforting and always welcome.
2. You get that loud, big crunch that’ll make you feel like a cooking rockstar!
3. Quick to disappear but not to worry, you’ll become an onion ring-making pro in no time.
4. They pair nicely with almost anything — ketchup, BBQ sauce, or your leftover sriracha mayo.
How to Make It
Alright, strap on your aprons or just wipe your hands on your pants like I usually do. So, we start by slicing our onions pretty close to medium thickness. Not too thin, unless you want crispy air with a hint of onion, and not too thick unless jaw-breakers are your thing. Get those onion rings soaking in some milk or buttermilk for that soft, dreamy interior.
Meanwhile, mix up a flour mixture with a good dose of seasoning — go wild! I mean, don’t overdo it, but throw in some garlic powder, a pinch of paprika… maybe some cayenne if you’re feeling fancy.
Take the rings for a dip in the flour mix, then back into the milk for a good soak. I know, it sounds like an onion being pampered at a spa, right? Give them another swim in the flour mix for optimal crunchiness. Fry them till they’re golden, maybe taste one or two for scientific testing, and try not to burn your tongue like I do. Pro tip: keep an eye out on them in the fryer, they can go from golden goodness to charcoal sadness real quick.
Ingredient Notes
– Onion: Ah, the main event! Go for a sweet variety or whatever’s in the pantry. If they make you cry, it just means they’re ready to shine.
– Flour: All-purpose is your friend here. I’ve tried other kinds (out of desperation), but nothing beats the classic.
– Seasoning: Now, here’s where you get to channel your inner seasoning unicorn. Don’t be shy!
Recipe Steps:
1. Slice onions into medium-thick rings.
2. Soak onion rings in milk or buttermilk.
3. Mix flour with your favorite seasonings.
4. Dip onions in flour, then milk, then back in flour.
5. Fry until golden and drain on a paper towel.
6. Try not to devour them immediately.
What to Serve It With
A game-day marathon or just as a side to a casual Tuesday night dinner. They’re perfect with a bottle of hot sauce, some creamy ranch, or when my family’s feeling funky, a half-empty bottle of sriracha.
Tips & Mistakes
Make sure the oil is hot but not too hot, because burnt onion rings are not cool (learned that the hard way). Taste as you go — it helps with “quality control,” or that’s what I tell myself anyway.
Storage Tips
If, by some miracle, you’ve got leftovers, just pop them in the fridge in an airtight container. They won’t be as crispy but warming them in the oven brings them back a little. Eating them cold or as breakfast? Absolutely no judgment here — been there, done that.
Variations and Substitutions
Out of buttermilk? Milk with a splash of vinegar works too. Gluten-free folks, my friends rave about the miracle that is rice flour (had to trust them on that one). One time, I ran out of eggs in the middle of making, and guess what? Water worked okay-ish, just not as stick-together-y.
Frequently Asked Questions

Crunchy Onion Rings You'll Love
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 large onions
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1.5 cups breadcrumbs for extra crunch use panko
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Peel and slice the onions into 0.5 inch thick rings.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
- Dip each onion ring first into the dry flour mixture, then into the buttermilk mixture, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat until hot (about 350°F).
- Fry the coated onion rings in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain the onion rings on paper towels and serve immediately.
Notes
Featured Comments
“Super easy and turned out amazing! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“This crunchy recipe was turned out amazing — the salty-sweet really stands out. Thanks!”
“Super easy and will make again! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
“New favorite here — family favorite. quick bite was spot on.”
“Impressed! Clear steps and so flavorful results. Perfect for busy nights.”
“New favorite here — turned out amazing. grab-and-go was spot on.”