How to Make Crave-Worthy Deep-Fried Onion Rings
You’ll love this super crispy recipe, one of the most delicious appetizers in the world. It’s just like your favorite restaurant but made at home.
Old-fashioned deep-fried onion rings have that crispy crunch you love and are packed with flavor. The special batter guarantees these onion rings turn out golden and crispy every time.
They’re a great side dish for a burger or a snack with a sandwich. These are quick to make and delicious–one the most popular deep-fried appetizers for a reason.)
Old-Fashioned Deep Fried Onion Rings
Equipment
- Deep fryer or Dutch oven (For consistent heating and deep frying)
- strainer or slotted spoon (For safely removing the onion rings from the hot oil)
- Thermometer (To accurately measure the oil temperature)
- Mixing Bowls (Separate bowls for the wet and dry ingredients)
- paper towels or cooling rack (For draining excess oil from the fried onion rings)
Ingredients
- 1 large white sweet onion (a Vidalia onion is perfect!)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup evaporated milk see notes for substitutions
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ quarts cooking oil (I prefer peanut, but vegetable oil will work)
Instructions
- Slice the onion. Carefully slice the onion into ¼-inch slices.
- Make the batter and breading. Add the eggs and evaporated milk to a medium bowl and mix well. Add the flour to another medium bowl and season well with salt and pepper.
- Bread the onion rings. Dip in the liquid mixture, then flour mixture. Soak onion rings in the batter, then dredge in the flour until coated well. Repeat with a handful of the rings.
- Heat the oil. Add the oil to a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep skillet and heat to 350°F. Check the oil temperature with a candy or instant-read thermometer. Preheat oven to 200° to keep onion rings warm after frying.
- Fry. Carefully drop a few onion rings into the hot oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. You'll need to fry in 4-5 batches.
- Keep Warm and Serve. Keep warm in a warm oven while you continue cooking the rest of the onion rings. Serve immediately.
Notes
These onion rings are crispy, delicious, and flavorful, even better than what you get at a restaurant, and with simple ingredients and no fancy stuff (no bread crumbs needed, and you can substitute cream for evaporated milk!). So whether you grow your onions or buy them, you can make your onion rings for just pennies a batch. Dealing with hot oil can be a hassle, but it speeds up cooking! Also, it’s quick and easy to make and will be ready in 30 minutes!
What You’ll Need for the Best Fried Onion Rings
These ingredients are generally available year-round, making it easy to whip up these delicious onion rings whenever the craving strikes.
- Vidalia onions. These sweet onions are essential for the best flavor. You can find them in the produce section, usually labeled as sweet onions. If unavailable, soak regular onions in water for an hour before use.
- Evaporated milk. This ingredient helps create a rich, creamy batter. Look for it in the baking aisle near the condensed milk. You can substitute with buttermilk or cream if needed.
- Peanut oil. Preferred for its high smoke point, ensuring the onion rings fry up crispy without burning. It is typically found in the oil section of the grocery store. Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative.
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FAQs
Nope! These are super crispy just with a classic breading. Flour is all you need.
Yes, using panko breadcrumbs can make the onion rings extra crispy. Just follow the same breading process, dipping the onion rings in the egg mixture, and then into the panko breadcrumbs.
They won’t be the same. Deep frying is magic!
Yes, absolutely! Just be careful because it’s more likely to spill and splatter.
Yes, you can use various types of onions like red onions or white onions. Vidalia onions are the best onions for their sweetness, but red onions offer a sharper flavor. If you can’t find large sweet onions, soaking them in ice water before breading can help mellow their taste.
Place the onion rings on a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. This allows air to circulate and prevents them from getting soggy. Keeping them in a warm oven at 200 degrees F until ready to serve also helps maintain their crispiness.
Using an oil with a high smoke point like peanut oil, canola oil, or olive oil is ideal for deep frying. These oils can handle the high temperatures required for perfectly crispy onion rings.
These deep-fried onion rings are a delicious treat that you can easily make at home. With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, you can enjoy crispy, flavorful onion rings anytime. Perfect as a side dish, snack, or on top of your favorite sandwich, everyone will love these. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the satisfaction of making a classic favorite in your kitchen.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.