Description
Crispy Onion Rings Drizzled with a tangy, slightly spicy sauce offer a perfect crunchy appetizer or snack. Soaked in buttermilk for tenderness, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, and fried to golden perfection, these homemade onion rings are irresistible and easy to make. The optional drizzle combines mayonnaise, ketchup, honey, hot sauce, and Dijon mustard for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion Rings
- 2 large sweet onions (like Vidalia), sliced into 1/2-inch rings and separated
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Drizzle (optional)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Soak the Onion Rings: Place the onion rings in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge, to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat the Onion Rings: Remove the onion rings from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each ring in the flour mixture, pressing lightly so the batter clings evenly.
- Fry the Rings: Fry the coated onion rings in batches for 2–3 minutes per side or until they are golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Drizzle: In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, ketchup, honey, hot sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
- Serve: Drizzle the sauce over warm onion rings just before serving, or serve it on the side as a delicious dipping sauce.
Notes
- For ultra-crispy onion rings, double-dip by repeating the buttermilk soak and flour coating process.
- To lighten the recipe, try air frying at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Adjust the heat of the drizzle by varying the amount of hot sauce.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays steady at 350°F to ensure crispy, not greasy, rings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus at least 30 minutes soaking time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 6 rings with drizzle
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
