Skip to Content

Air Fryer Onion Rings

Air Fryer Onion Rings – crispy, crunchy and delicious onion rings made in your air fryer at home. So much better for you and easier to make than the deep fried ones!

I think that onion rings are probably my all time favorite appetizer. If they are on a restaurant menu, it is something that my entire family wants to order, pretty much every time without fail.

Sometimes you get some that are pre-made frozen ones and sometimes you get some over the top amazing ones! I am always on the quest to find the best.

crispy onion rings on cutting board

 

Now, let’s get this out there right away. Air Fryer Onion Rings are not the same as deep fried. They are not greasy and don’t have a batter like traditional onion rings. They have more of a breading that you spray with oil and air fry, so they are crispy.

If you have ever made baked onion rings at home, that is what these are like. Only you can get them more crispy in the air fryer. This onion ring recipe is a little more batter-like, but still not deep fried.

ingredients for onion rings

How To Make Air Fryer Onion Rings

Since you can’t use a batter when you cook in the air fryer, I am doing the next best thing. Make a thick batter that you coat the onion rings in, and then press it into the panko breadcrumbs. This gives you a thicker, crispier, and more “batter fried” texture.

  1. Slice onions into about 1/2 inch slices. Separate the rings and discard or save the little inside rings for something else.
  2. In one bowl mix together buttermilk, egg, flour, and all of the spices.
  3. In a separate bowl place the panko breadcrumbs.
  4. Dip an onion ring into the buttermilk batter and make sure to fully coat all sides of the onion ring. Gently shake off any big clumps of extra batter.
  5. Place into the panko crumbs and press the crumbs into the batter until it is evenly coated.
  6. Put the onion ring on a baking sheet. Continue this process with the remaining onions.
  7. Refrigerate the coated onion rings for 20 minutes before cooking.
  8. Spray both sides with a cooking spray (vegetable oil or avocado oil spray) and arrange onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer.
  9. Cook for 10 minutes at 370º F.
  10. Once the onion rings are browned and crispy remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
coated onion rings on baking sheet

How Long Does It Take To Air Fry Onion Rings

It takes 10 minutes at 370º F in the air fryer to get the onion rings nice and crispy. Air fryers to vary slightly, so you want to keep an eye on them the first time to make sure you get the brown enough, but don’t burn them.

Make Frozen Air Fryer Onion Rings

The process of making these onion rings can be time consuming with all of the dipping. So make a double or triple batch and freeze them!

  • Follow the recipe as written to dip and coat the onion rings.
  • Place the baking tray in the freezer for 2 hours until the onion rings are completely frozen.
  • Remove and place in a freezer safe plastic bag or air tight container.
  • When you want to cook them, remove and follow the recipe cooking instructions. Just add 1 minute of cook time!

Such an easy and fun side dish you can make ahead.

air fried onion rings in basket

Tips For The Best Air Fried Onion Rings

  • Panko breadcrumbs really help to give it the crispy and crunchy texture. If you only have traditional breadcrumbs they will work, it just won’t be quite as crunchy.
  • Make sure to arrange your onion rings in a single layer. If they overlap or are touching, they won’t get as crispy. You need the air to circulate to really get them browned and crunchy.
  • Refrigerate before cooking them! I know it seems like a pain, but it really helps to have the “batter” adhere to the onions and make them a little bit more like a traditional onion ring.
  • Make a large batch and freeze them. It can be a long process to coat all the onion rings, so if you have enough ingredients, make more. Place them on a baking tray to freeze, and then just cook them when you want them.
  • Spray the onion rings with oil. I like to use a vegetable oil spray or an avocado oil spray. This helps not only the crispiness, but gives them a little flavor as well.
  • Season your batter. Make sure to really season your batter with salt and whatever spices you like. This is what gives your onion rings flavor and make it so they don’t taste like plain flour and breadcrumbs.
  • No turning required. Normally in air fryer recipes you need to flip the food half way through, but the onion rings are thin enough and there is enough space for the air to circulate that you don’t need to do this. Just leave it close for 10 minutes, and your onion rings are done.
  • Use a smaller sized onion when working with the air fryer. It is hard to fit a lot of onion rings in the basket, but if you use a smaller onion you can arrange them better to fit more.
air fryer onion ring in dipping sauce

What Are The Best Onions For Onion Rings

You want to use a sweet onion. Vidalia onions are the best, but really any sweet onions work.

Serve onion rings with your favorite dipping sauce. We like Canes Sauce and that is what is pictured.

To make this recipe I used a Cosori 5.8 Qt Air Fryer. It is big enough that you can fit plenty of food in, and the basket comes out so you can easily shake, stir, or flip whatever you are making.

onion rings made in the air fryer collage for pinterest

More Air Fryer Recipes

Yield: 4

Air Fryer Onion Rings

close up of air fried onion rings

Air Fryer Onion Rings - crispy, crunchy and delicious onion rings made in your air fryer at home. So much better for you and easier to make than the deep fried ones!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 sweet onion, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 whole large egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable or Avocado Oil Cooking Spray

Instructions

    1. In a bowl mix together buttermilk, egg, flour, and all of the spices.
    2. In a separate bowl place the panko breadcrumbs.
    3. Dip an onion ring into the buttermilk batter and make sure to fully coat all sides of the onion ring. Gently shake off any big clumps of extra batter. onion ring getting coated in batter
    4. Place into the panko crumbs and press the crumbs into the batter until it is evenly coated. onion ring sitting in bowl of panko breadcrumbs
    5. Put the onion ring on a baking sheet. Continue this process with the remaining onions. coated onion rings on baking sheet
    6. Refrigerate the coated onion rings for 20 minutes before cooking.
    7. Spray both sides with a cooking spray and arrange onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer. onion rings in air fryer basket
    8. Cook for 10 minutes at 370º F.
    9. Once the onion rings are browned and crispy remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 449Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 49mgSodium 1709mgCarbohydrates 77gFiber 5gSugar 11gProtein 16g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a picture on social media!

I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!

Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP
? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee
to say thanks!

.

Erin S
Follow me
Latest posts by Erin S (see all)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Patricia @ Grab a Plate

Tuesday 13th of April 2021

These are one of my favorite sides! I don't eat them often because, fried!, but an air fryer is the perfect solution! They look amazing!

Catalina

Wednesday 7th of April 2021

I love how crispy these onion rings are! Yes, please!

Beti | easyweeknightrecipes

Tuesday 6th of April 2021

Oh my, these look SO GOOD! I can't wait to try them!

katerina @ diethood.com

Tuesday 6th of April 2021

YUM! These Air Fryer Onion Rings are amazing!!

Michelle

Tuesday 6th of April 2021

Oooh, I need to try these! I love onion rings but I try to avoid deep frying.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe