My air fryer onion rings are crispy, hot, and golden brown. I use buttermilk and panko breadcrumbs to get that crunchy onion ring my whole family is obsessed with.

Crispy homemade air fryer onion rings on plate in dipping sauce

My Easy Recipe for Onion Rings in the Air Fryer

There are recipes that turn out perfectly the first time I make them, but then there are some recipes that take me quite a few tries, like my air fryer onion rings.

I remember that night I finally nailed this recipe. I switched from a wet batter to panko breadcrumbs and added buttermilk. I pulled them from the air fryer and saw that nice golden brown crusting on them.

I got so excited and just knew this was it. I took that first bite, and I don’t think I’ve gotten giddy about a recipe like this in a long time. The onion was cooked to just tender, and the breading stuck to the onion so the onion ring didn’t fall out.

My kids actually rolled their eyes when they saw them on their plate that night because they had been testing onion rings for a few months. But I managed to get them to take a bite, and they ended up eating every single one of them!

My son ate them with ketchup, his all-time favorite dipping sauce, while my daughter ate them plain, which is so like her.

And, if you love a good air fryer side dish or appetizer, try my recipes for air fryer blooming onion, air fryer french fries, air fryer tater tots, air fryer nachos, and frozen onion rings in the air fryer.

prepared ingredients for air fryer onion rings

Onion Rings Recipe Ingredients

Vidalia onion – I have also also used other sweet onions and even yellow onions
Eggs
Buttermilk – I have also mixed together whole milk and white vinegar to create my own
All-purpose flour
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder
Panko breadcrumbs – I’ve used Italian breadcrumbs too and it’s came out good

How to Make Onion Rings in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Peel the onion and cut it into ½-inch thick slices. Separate the slices and place them on a plate, then set them all aside.

STEP TWO: In a wide, shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the buttermilk until well combined. In a second bowl, combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

STEP THREE: Dip each onion ring first into the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and egg mixture. Finally, dredge it through the breadcrumbs, pressing them into the onion rings. Set them on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining rings.

dip onion rings into flour and buttermilk mixtures

STEP FOUR: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F and spray the rings with a little oil using an oil mister.

STEP FIVE: Place the onion rings in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer and air fry them for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

place onion rings in single layer in air fryer

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Onion Rings

Lay the rings in a single layer without crowding the basket. I like to nest the smaller ones inside the larger rings, but only if there’s at least a little space between each ring. I recommend working in batches if needed.
Press the panko breadcrumbs into the onion rings to get as much to stick as possible. I find this gives the best, most satisfying coating.
Slice all the onion rings to the same thickness so they’ll cook evenly. I make mine about ½-inch thick.
Spray the breading with oil before air frying. I find this helps the breadcrumbs get super crispy and that perfect golden brown color.
Use Vidalia onions for a mild and sweet flavor. I’ve also used sweet and yellow onions, and they are tasty!

Air Fry Onion Rings Substitutions and variations

Swap the panko breadcrumbs for Italian breadcrumbs. I do this when I don’t have any panko ones on hand, and it still coats the onions nicely.
Use a different flour. I like all-purpose flour, but whole wheat or almond flour would work.
Add spices like smoked paprika or garlic powder to the breadcrumb mix to really dial up the flavor.
Try different dipping sauces like spicy mayo or a honey mustard blend.
Keep the onion ring recipe low carb by swapping out the breadcrumbs for pork rinds. These work best for a similar texture to panko. Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs work too.
Add a little spice to the onion rings by sprinkling in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. I do this toward the end of breading them so I can enjoy them while my kids can have the non spicy ones.

What to Serve with Air Fried Onion Rings

I love to keep dinner more fun and add these to meals like air fryer hot dogs, air fryer chicken tenders, air fryer burgers, air fryer grilled cheese, or air fryer chicken patties. My kids feel like it’s a true kid’s night when it comes to dinner.

For dips, I switch between ketchup, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, and ranch. But I’ve even dipped them in Big Mac sauce, buffalo sauce, honey buffalo sauce, and tzatziki sauce and loved every single one of them.

Air Fryer Onion Rings FAQs

How Long to Cook Onion Rings in the Air Fryer

I air fry the onion rings in just 9 to 12 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 380 degrees F. They are done once they turn golden and crispy!

air fryer onion rings on plate with dipping sauce on the side

How to Store Leftover Air Fry Onion Rings

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. I’ve also put them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I Freeze Leftover Onion Rings?

Yes! I recommend freezing them on a baking sheet for an hour or two and then transferring them to a freezer-safe container to help them not stick together.

When I’m ready to eat them, I cook the frozen onion rings in the air fryer, preheated at 350 degrees, for about 4 minutes.

Can I Use a Wet Batter to Make Onion Rings with No Breadcrumbs?

I do not recommend using a wet onion ring batter inside the air fryer. I have tried several recipes and ways to do onion rings with a wet batter in the air fryer, and while some do have a nice taste, they are super messy to make, and a lot of the batter falls off.

plate full of air fryer onion rings with dipping sauce

What is the best type of onion for air fryer onion rings?

When I’m making onion rings in the air fryer, I always reach for large, sweet onions like Vidalias or Walla Wallas. Their natural sweetness complements the savory coating so well!

They’re also large enough to get those big rings that hold up well in the air fryer. There’s something about a big onion ring that feels extra indulgent to me!

Is it possible to make Air fried onion rings gluten-free?

I’ve made air fryer onion rings for gluten-free guests a few times, and they always turn out beautifully! I use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for the batter and use pork rinds or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to get that same crunch.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

Love air frying? Join our newsletter! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or join our free Facebook Air Frying Community.