Home » Deep Fryer Recipes » Old-Fashioned Deep-Fried Onion Rings Recipe

Old-Fashioned Deep-Fried Onion Rings Recipe

A secret-ingredient batter plus flour and seasoning is all you need for these extra-crispy onion rings. Perfect for topping a burger or piled next to a sandwich.

One of the most delicious appetizers in the world, you’ll love this super crispy recipe. Just like your favorite restaurant, but made at home.

cropped-onion-rings-recipe-feat.jpg

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

Delicious! –They’re crispy and flavorful, better than restaurant onion rings

Simple ingredients – No crazy ingredients (you don’t need bread crumbs, and you can use cream if you don’t have evaporated milk!) If you grow your own onions, (or even if you don’t) you can make your own onion rings for pennies a batch.

Ready in 30 minutes –Quick and easy. Dealing with hot oil can be a pain, but it sure makes the cooking time fast!

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

eggs, onion, flour, milk, and seasoning on counter

You’ll need the following

  • large sweet onion (a Vidalia onion is perfect!)
  • eggs
  • evaporated milk
  • all-purpose flour
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • cooking oil (I prefer peanut, but vegetable oil will work)
  • mixing bowl
  • deep fryer or Dutch oven
  • paper towels
  • candy thermometor

🍴Instructions

Step One

large onion cut into thin slices

Heat up the oil in your Dutch oven or deep-skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheat the oven to 200° to keep the onion rings warm while you finish cooking.

Step Two: Prep the batter

eggs and milk in bowl, flour in another bowl for dipping

Beat together eggs and evaporated milk in a small bowl until the mixture becomes smooth. In a separate medium bowl, add flour along with the spices.

Step three: Dip and fry

onion rings dipping into batter and being fried in dutch oven

Coat each fried slice lightly in the wet ingredients, then in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.

Fry one handful of onion slices for about 3-5 minutes each, until golden brown. Carefully remove them with a skimmer or slotted spoon, then shake off any excess oil and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain.

Step FouR: Finish frying in batches

dutch oven filling with cooking oil

Place them in the oven (paper towels and all) at 200 degrees to keep them warm.

Bread and fry the remaining onions. (You’ll have 4-5 batches to cook)

Serve right away and enjoy.

🥫 Storage instructions

Once cooled completely store in an airtight container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator for up to four days. 

For best results when reheating, reheat cooked onion rings in an air fryer, or in the oven. It will crisp them up nicely again.

🔍 FAQs

Do you need breadcrumbs for onion rings?

Nope! These are super crispy just with a classic breading. Flour is all you need.

Can I make these in the oven or air fryer?

They won’t be the same. Deep frying is magic!

Can I use a skillet to deep fry?

Yes, absolutely! Just be careful because it’s more likely to spill and splatter.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • For extra crispy onion rings, keep your slices thin. Thick slices will be softer. We love extra thick slices, but they won’t be quite as crispy.
  • The breading is great with just salt and pepper, but feel free to add a pinch of garlic powder, paprika, or seasoned salt to the flour.

🍽 Serve it with

📘 Related Recipes

🍅 Make it along with me

Follow along step by step. The slides will turn every 7 seconds, or you can click ahead.

crispy onion rings on white plate

📖 Here’s the recipe

plate of homemade onion rings
4.86 from 7 votes

Old-Fashioned Deep Fried Onion Rings

Print Recipe
A secret-ingredient batter plus flour and seasoning is all you need for these extra-crispy onion rings. Perfect for topping a burger or piled next to a sandwich.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
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Equipment

  • Deep fryer or Dutch oven
  • strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 large white sweet onion sliced into ¼ inch rings
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • quarts cooking oil such as peanut or canola

Instructions

  • Heat the oil. Add the oil to a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep skilllet and heat to 350°F. Preheat oven to 200° to keep onion rings warm.
  • 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.
  • Fry. Once the oil has heated to 350° drop the onion rings in carefully. Move around with a frying spatula so they don’t stick together. Fry for about 3-5 minutes. Turn if needed.
  • Continue in batches until done. Keep warm in a warm oven while you continue cooking the rest of the onion rings. Serve immediately.

Notes

It’s best to use a sweet onion like Vidalia, but if you can’t find one, soak your onion slices in water for an hour before breading.
Don’t have evaporated milk?  Substitute buttermilk or cream.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 356mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: deep fried onion rings, onion rings without breadcrumbs
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 189kcal
Author: Katie Shaw
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2 thoughts on “Old-Fashioned Deep-Fried Onion Rings Recipe”

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    Reply

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