Onion rings are, not surprisingly, at the top of my craving must-haves list! With salt, onion powder, and a bread crumb coating, they’re crunchy and delicious, and in no way need to be fried to be amazing. Sometimes I’ll make a meal of just onion rings—I’m not ashamed to admit it!

Copyright © 2023, Kiki Nelson. Reproduced by permission of Simon Element an imprint of Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

By Kiki Nelson,

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup whole wheat flour, oat flour, or rice flour
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, plus more as needed
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs (gluten-free or regular)
  • 1 large Vidalia or other sweet onion, sliced into ½-inch-thick rings (about 18)
  • Ketchup, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven or an air fryer to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of pepper. While whisking, slowly add ½ cup water and whisk until well combined. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish and set them next to the batter.
  • Working with one at a time, dip an onion ring into the batter to coat, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge it in the panko. Place the battered onion ring on the prepared baking sheet and repeat to coat the remaining onion.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the oven or 12 to 15 minutes in the air fryer, until golden and crispy. If you like, season the onion rings with more garlic salt, then enjoy with ketchup, if desired.

Comments (28)

(5 from 9 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Elizabeth

Forgot to say I used the whole onion ring not just one ring and it was delicious

Elizabeth Downey

Did not think this would work but they were lovely and very filling . I used white onions not the brown or red .

Ben

I added about 3/4 cup water. The only complaint I got from my kitchen table is that I didn’t make enough. So here we go again. Cooking time was only 10 minutes. They are great

Arrhiannon

My family loves onion rings so I had to try these. Instead of water, I used non alcoholic organic beer and added just another tablespoon of water to the batter. I also added some smoked paprika to the batter. It worked perfectly and my family loved them I am not an onion ring fan and I had three or four small ones. Mmmmmm-mmmmmm-good!

Jeanne

Did anyone else have a problem with 1/2 cup of water being enough? I had to use just over twice that amount. Other than that, they are a great substitute for greasy onion rings!!! I will make these again.

Dawn

Yes I had the same problem. As I have never made it before was unsure about adding extra water but I did. Next time i will add even more water.

Kathleen

Preferred dipping sauce: any mayo and Greek yogurt combo, grated horseradish, sriracha Pinch of curry powder optional.

erin ryan

for me it's hot hot salsa, & Cacio e Pepe, with a dry rosé

Tracey Wheeler

looks good - I’m going to add some Trader Joe’s ‘Everything’ spice!

Ann in Vermont

I am going to try this recipe soon, in my oven -- I don't have an air fryer. I wonder whether adding some chili powder or smoked paprika might also be good. I like the comment about doing the same thing with eggplant rings -- I'll have to try that as well!

Linda Koeck

When do you add the panko bread crumbs? The recipe doesn’t say.

Linda Koeck

Never mind. Reread recipe

Debi Newton

These look so good, cannot wait ti try them!

Autoharper

Great idea but not much flavor. Air frying made them very dry. I’m

Rene

I made these tonight. They are just okay. They probably wouldn't be worth eating If you didn't put ketchup on it. A blooming onion they are not. I don't think I would make them again. Really dry and not as good as you would think.

DAS

I think GF breadcrumbs is a whole different ballgame as it absorbs so much water. Next time I will experiment with less breadcrumbs, because I've added close to 2 cups water. Think the brand matters here? Anyone else do GF? Could never get them to look like the photo above.

JR

I made GF, they didn’t look like photo either, mine seemed way too dry. Next time I’ll try adding more water and using rice flour instead of oat.

Kathy Papa

Would like to try the recipe

Deb

I used seasoned salt instead of sea salt. Tasted good too.

Leigh

The amount of water is has not be updated in the recipe

Natalie

In Step 2 it says to use 1/2 cup water.

Eric

Why are we adding onion powder to an onion recipe? Insight recommended. Thanks.

natalia

It adds more onion flavor silly... Many recipes call for onion powder in dishes that also have onions in them. Have you never heard of say, chocolate brownies with chocolate chunks?

Renee

Can I use regular flour for the batter?

Marion

when i make these i use gram ( chick pea, garbanzo) flour but i've never added onion powder....thanks Kiki for that tip! . The water needed depends on things like humidity etc but I add it slowly and keep mixing till I have a batter that looks just right to dip onion rings into. I also do this with sliced aubergine ( eggplant) and cook them together. it helps with crispness to turn aubergine halfway through.

Ann in Vermont

Chick pea flour sounds like a great idea! Thank you for sharing that tip.

Tess

How much water?

Courtney Davison

Hi Tess, It should be ½ cup water. We left that out by mistake when adding the recipe to our website, but we've updated it now. Thank you for bringing this to our attention! Warmly, Courtney Editor, Forks Over Knives

About the Author

Headshot of Kiki Nelson

About the Author

Kiki Nelson

Kiki Nelson lost 70 pounds after adopting a plant-based diet and reduced her risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Born in the Yucatán Peninsula, Kiki lives in Colorado with her family. You can find her at @PlantifulKiki on Instagram and YouTube.
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