Homemade Onion Rings
on Sep 03, 2021, Updated Aug 22, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Classic Onion Rings are great for any occasion. These crispy onion rings are dipped in a simple batter and then fried to perfection.
Onion rings can be found on most restaurant menus in the United States. They are really popular and for good reason. Learning how to make onion rings at home is quick, easy, and delicious. You slice the onions, prepare the batter, dip, and then fry. Anyone can whip these up in no time flat.
Homemade onion rings make a fun appetizer to serve at a gathering or they make a great snack to munch on while watching football with friends. I have also used them as a side dish for easy air fryer hamburgers or turkey burgers.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better Taste: By making onion rings at home, you can control the quality of ingredients and end up with fresher and more flavorful onion rings.
- Fun to Make: Impress your guests with homemade onion rings or get the whole family in on the fun and make them together.
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper than dining out – onions and some pantry staples that are super budget friendly.
Ingredients
- Onions
- Cornmeal
- Flour
- Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Eggs
- Whole Milk
- Light oil for frying
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Homemade Onion Rings
Step #1: Slice onions into rings and separate them.
Step #3: Mix dry batter ingredients, then add eggs and milk to create batter.
Step #2: Heat oil to 350-375°F in a deep pan, such as a Dutch oven.
Step #4: Dip onion rings in batter, then fry in batches until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Recipe FAQs
I prefer to use yellow or white onions for onion rings. They fry up really well and I usually have them in the pantry.
For onion rings, you will want to slice the onion into large rings that are 1/4 inch thickness. Instead of throwing the smaller sections away, save them for other recipes.
If the onion rings are covered in too much batter they won’t crisp up. Over battering causes the onion rings to retain too much moisture so they tend to get soggy once they are out of the fryer. Aint nobody want a soggy onion ring.
Expert Tips
- Sweet onions, like Vidalia or Walla Walla, are ideal for onion rings due to their mild flavor. However, yellow onions can also be used for a more robust taste.
- When slicing your onions, aim for consistent thickness (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch). This ensures even cooking and optimal texture.
- Maintaining the oil temperature between 350-375°F is crucial. If the oil is too hot, the batter will brown too quickly without fully cooking the onion and if it’s too cold, your onion rings will be too greasy.
What to Serve With Onion Rings
Onion rings make a great side dish for hamburgers, slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, or any type of BBQ. They would also be so good as a salad topper or eaten like French fries with ketchup. Easy onion rings made in the air fryer are also really simple to whip up too.
More Appetizer Recipes to Consider
Appetizer Recipes
Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe | Sweet & Spicy Holiday Dish
Vegetable Sides
Zucchini Fritters
Salads
Caprese Salad
Sandwich Recipes
Hawaiian Roll Sliders
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Homemade Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 2 large white or yellow onions
- 2 quarts light oil for frying, such as canola, vegetable, or corn oil
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
Instructions
- Prepare your onions by slicing off the root and stem end. Remove the outer few layers of the onion skin. Slice the onion into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices, it’ll normally be 4-5 slices per onion. Use your hands to separate the onion slices from each other, without breaking them and keeping them in rings.
- Add your oil to a large Dutch oven or high walled cast iron skillet and place it over medium-high heat to start heating your oil. If you have a paddle thermometer, you can clip it to the side to see the temperature (I recommend using a thermometer for best results).
- In a medium mixing bowl add the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
- Add the eggs and milk and stir to combine well.
- When your oil has reached 350 degrees to 375 degrees F., drop one onion ring into the batter. Press it into the batter with a fork and use the fork to remove it from the batter. Hold it over the bowl and allow the extra batter to run off a bit. Add the battered onion ring carefully to the hot oil.
- Repeat with a few more pieces of onion so that you have 4-6 in your pan, depending on the size (don’t crowd the pan or add too many).
- Let the onion rings cook for 3-5 minute or until they are a deep golden brown. Use a spider strainer or a wire skimmer to remove the onion rings from the oil and place them on a paper towel lined baking sheet.
- Repeat with remaining onion rings until they are all cooked, adjusting your burner temperature as needed to help maintain a steady oil temperature.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla, are preferred for their mild flavor, making them perfect for onion rings. Yellow onions can be used for a more pronounced onion flavor.
- Aim for slices about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick for the best balance between crispy batter and tender onion.
- Keeping the oil consistently between 350-375°F is crucial. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature closely. If the oil is too cool, the onion rings will absorb too much oil and become soggy. If it’s too hot, the batter may burn before the onion is cooked.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature. Fry in small batches for the best results.
- Onion rings are best enjoyed fresh and hot right after frying for maximum crispiness.
Mmmmm Perfect batter. The sugar in the recipe works great if you don’t have sweet onions. Don’t skimp! I added a little extra milk to make dipping easier. Still tastes amazing!!!! Home run on this one! Sending to all friends now….🥳🙏🏻😍
Is it baking soda or powder? Ingredients say one and directions say another.
It’s baking powder, thank you for asking, I have corrected that mistake.
Made these tonight and used walla walla sweets and they were fantastic. Family really enjoyed them.
I just divided the recipe in half and made a small batch. They were absolutely delicious! Thanks such a great and simple recipe.
Great recipe, but it came out thick, had to increase milk by at least double. I swapped out the regular AP flour for Gluten Free, swapped sat out with my Mix up Salt, it still worked out my rings are light.