These thick, golden Onion Rings Recipe with their shatteringly crisp double-battered coating and sweet, tender centers taste just like the ones from your favorite diner. The smell of them frying that hot, savory scent that fills the whole kitchen takes me right back to Friday nights at the little burger joint near my high school. I didn't think I could recreate that at home until I tried this recipe on a random Tuesday, and now I make them whenever I need something that feels a little indulgent but comes together in half an hour.
If you're in the mood for more easy comfort food, you'll want to check out these breakfast recipes, and my Tiramisu Brownies are always a hit when you need something sweet.
Why You Will love this Onion Rings Recipe
Quick and simple You can have fried Onion Rings Recipe on the table in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for game day, burger night, or whenever the craving hits.
Double-battered perfection The twice-dipped coating creates those thick, Onion Rings Recipe with serious crunch factor that stays crispy even as they cool.
Sweet and savory Sweet or yellow Onion Rings Recipe become tender and almost caramelized inside that golden Onion Rings Recipe coating, creating the perfect balance.
Better than takeout These pub-style Onion Rings Recipe rival anything you'd get at a restaurant, and you control the seasoning and freshness.
That sauce The creamy, tangy dipping sauce with a little kick makes every bite even better.
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Onion Rings Recipe Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this best Onion Rings Recipe from scratch.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
For the Onion Rings
Large sweet or yellow onion: Sliced into thick half-inch rings, sweet onions give you tender, mild flavor that won't overpower the crispy coating.
Milk: Combines with vinegar to create a quick buttermilk that helps the batter stick and adds tang.
White vinegar: Curdles the milk slightly to mimic buttermilk, which makes the coating cling better and adds a subtle brightness.
Sour cream: Thickens the wet batter and adds richness, helping create that thick, clingy coating.
All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dry coating and creates that classic crispy texture when fried.
Salt: Seasons the batter and enhances the natural sweetness of the onions.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the coating.
Garlic powder: Brings a savory, slightly sweet flavor that makes these taste like classic onion rings from your favorite restaurant.
Oil for frying: Canola oil works best because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor, letting the onions shine.
For the Awesome Blossom Dipping Sauce
Real mayonnaise: Creates a creamy, rich base that holds all the flavors together.
Sour cream: Adds tang and makes the sauce lighter and more balanced.
Ketchup: Brings sweetness and a touch of acidity to round out the flavors.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami depth and a savory complexity.
Creamy horseradish or hot sauce: Gives the sauce a gentle kick without being too spicy.
Ground paprika: Adds mild sweetness and a subtle smoky note.
Fine sea salt: Brightens all the flavors and brings everything together.
Equipment FOR Onion Rings Recipe
- Dutch oven or deep fryer: A Dutch oven works perfectly for frying and holds heat well.
- Cooking thermometer: Ensures your oil stays at the right temperature for crispy, non-greasy rings.
- Medium mixing bowls (2): One for the wet mixture, one for the dry coating.
- Whisk: Blends the wet and dry mixtures smoothly.
- Fork: Helps with dipping and keeps your hands clean.
- Plate: Holds the coated rings before frying.
- Paper towels: Drains excess oil and keeps the rings crispy.
How to Make Onion Rings Recipe
Follow these simple steps for perfectly Onion Rings Recipe every time.
Heat the oil: Pour about one inch of canola oil into your Dutch oven and set it over medium heat, making sure there's enough to fully cover the rings. If you're using a deep fryer, follow your machine's instructions.
Make the buttermilk mixture: Whisk the milk and white vinegar together in a medium bowl, then let it sit for about five minutes until it thickens slightly. Whisk in the sour cream until smooth and creamy.
Prepare the flour coating: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until everything's evenly mixed.
Coat the onion rings: Separate your onion slices into individual rings. Dip each ring into the milk mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge it through the flour mixture until completely coated.
Double-dip for extra crunch: This is the secret to thick, battered onion rings. Dip each flour-coated ring back into the milk mixture, then dredge it through the flour again. Place the coated rings on a plate.
Check the oil temperature: Heat the oil to 375°F, or test it by dropping in a small piece of batter if it sizzles and rises immediately, you're ready to fry.
Fry in batches: Add three to four rings at a time to avoid crowding, and fry for about three minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're crisp and light golden brown on both sides.
Drain and season: Transfer the hot rings to paper towels to drain off excess oil, then sprinkle with a little salt while they're still warm so it sticks.
How to Make the Dipping Sauce
Mix everything together: Stir the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish (or hot sauce), paprika, and salt in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
Chill until serving: Pop the sauce in the fridge while you finish frying the rings so the flavors can meld together.
Substitutions and Variations
No sour cream? Use Greek yogurt in both the batter and the sauce for a similar tangy richness.
Make it spicier: Add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or extra hot sauce to the dipping sauce.
Baked onion rings: Coat the rings the same way, then bake at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
Beer battered version: Replace the milk mixture with one cup of beer and half a cup of flour for a lighter, airier coating.
Gluten-free option: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend or rice flour.
Expert Tips
Use thick slices: Half-inch rings hold up better during the double-dipping process and give you that perfect tender center.
Don't skip the double dip: It's the key to getting that thick, crunchy onion ring coating that makes these taste like they came from a restaurant.
Maintain oil temperature: If the oil gets too cool, the rings will absorb grease and turn soggy. Keep it around 375°F.
Fry in small batches: Crowding the pot drops the oil temperature and leads to uneven cooking.
Season immediately: Salt sticks best when the rings are still hot and slightly oily.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers: Keep cooled Onion Rings Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. They'll lose some crispness, but they're still tasty.
Reheat for crispness: Spread the rings on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for eight to ten minutes until they crisp up again. Avoid the microwave—it makes them soggy.
Freeze for later: Freeze uncooked, coated rings on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry them straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
Sauce storage: The dipping sauce keeps in the fridge for up to one week in a sealed container.
Serving Suggestions
These Onion Rings Recipe are incredibly versatile.
Burger topping: Pile them on top of your favorite burger for that classic diner experience they add crunch and flavor in every bite.
Game day snack: Serve them alongside wings, sliders, and your Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes for a crowd-pleasing spread.
Side dish: Pair them with grilled steak, BBQ chicken, or even a simple sandwich for an upgrade from regular fries.
Appetizer platter: Arrange them on a big plate with the dipping sauce, some ranch, and maybe some marinara for variety.
FAQ
Why soak onions in ice water before making onion rings?
Soaking Onion Rings Recipe in ice water helps crisp them up and reduces their sharpness, making them sweeter and more tender. It's optional for this recipe since we're using sweet onions, but if you want extra-crisp rings or you're using a stronger onion variety, give them a 15-minute ice bath and pat them completely dry before coating.
What is onion ring batter made of?
Onion ring batter typically includes a wet mixture (like buttermilk or milk) and a dry coating (flour with seasonings). This recipe uses milk curdled with vinegar, sour cream, flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to create a thick, clingy coating that fries up golden and crispy.
How do you get batter to stick to onion rings?
The trick is to make sure your onions are dry before you start, then use the double-dipping method wet, dry, wet, dry. The sour cream in the milk mixture makes it thicker and stickier, so it clings to the onion better. Letting the coated rings rest for a few minutes before frying also helps the batter set.
How to make homemade onion rings?
Slice Onion Rings Recipe into thick rings, prepare a seasoned flour mixture and a milk-based wet mixture, then dip each ring twice (wet-dry-wet-dry) for a thick coating. Fry them in 375°F oil until golden and crispy, about three minutes per batch. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce, and you've got perfect deep fried onion rings that rival any restaurant version.
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Pairing
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Onion Rings Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat until it reaches about 1 inch deep and heats to frying temperature.
- Combine the milk and vinegar in a medium bowl and let the mixture rest briefly before blending in the sour cream until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly mixed.
- Pull apart the onion slices into individual rings, coating each ring in the milk mixture, then pressing it into the flour mixture to coat fully.
- Repeat the dipping and flouring process once more for each ring, then set them aside on a plate until ready to fry.
- Once the oil is hot enough to sizzle on contact, carefully add a few onion rings at a time and fry for about 3 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Remove the onion rings when they are crisp and light golden, draining them on paper towels and seasoning immediately with salt.
- Stir all dipping sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and chill until ready to serve.
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