Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable Version)
Golden crunchy onion rings air-fried to perfection with a tangy homemade sauce for a tasty snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Onion Rings
01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Olive oil spray
→ Burger Sauce
10 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
12 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
13 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickles
14 - 1 teaspoon pickle juice
15 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Method:
01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to preheat.
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and reserve the smaller inner pieces for other uses.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: mix flour, salt, and black pepper in the first; whisk eggs and buttermilk in the second; combine panko breadcrumbs and smoked paprika in the third.
04 - Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, shake off excess, dip into the egg mixture to coat thoroughly, then press into the panko blend until evenly coated.
05 - Place breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
06 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and reapplying olive oil spray, until rings are golden brown and crisp.
07 - Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, chopped pickles, pickle juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; mix well and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Serve the hot crispy onion rings with the tangy burger sauce on the side.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- They're done in 12 minutes with zero regret about the oil situation.
- That burger sauce tastes like it came from a diner, but you made it in one small bowl.
- You get the crunchy-outside-tender-inside texture everyone expects, with way less mess than traditional frying.
02 -
- Don't skip the flip halfway through or your bottom side will be pale and disappointing while the top browns too much.
- The second spray of oil is as important as the first; it's what turns ordinary breadcrumbs into crispy, golden clusters.
- Separate your onion rings carefully and use only the medium to large ones; tiny rings won't give you enough onion inside and they'll be mostly crust.
03 -
- Don't let the breaded rings sit for more than a few minutes before air frying or the coating can get soggy; breading them while the air fryer is preheating keeps everything fresh.
- If you notice some breadcrumbs falling off during cooking, it's usually because the egg wash wasn't thick enough or you didn't press firmly enough during coating, so adjust slightly for your next batch.