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.
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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. I can now say they taste 1,000 times better than cooking them in an oven.
And, if you love a good air fryer side dish or snacking 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.
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.
STEP FOUR: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F and spray the rings with a little oil using an oil mister or cooking spray.
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.
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!
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.
How to cook frozen onion rings in the air fryer
When I’m in a time crunch or just feel lazy, I love cooking frozen onion rings in the air fryer because of how quick they cook. I spread them in a single layer in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 4 minutes, and they’re done!
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.
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 my air fryer onion rings recipe 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
- Air fryer bacon
- Texas Toast in the air fryer
- Salmon in the air fryer
- Air fryer fried chicken
- Air fryer asparagus
- Air fryer turkey burgers
- Air fryer meatloaf
- Air fryer brats
- Air fryer hard boiled eggs
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Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet Vidalia onion sliced into ½-inch rings
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup buttermilk
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Peel the onion and cut it into ½-inch thick slices. Separate the slices and place them on a plate. Set them aside.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the buttermilk until well combined. In a second bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place the panko bread crumbs in a third bowl.
- Dip each onion ring into the flour, then the buttermilk mixture, and then dredge it through the breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Set them aside on a baking sheet and repeat with remaining rings. Spray the rings with a little oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 °F.
- Transfer the rings into the air fryer basket in a single layer, nesting the smaller ones inside the larger ones but leaving a little space between each ring. Don’t overcrowd the basket, and work in batches if necessary.
- Air fry for 9-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Video
Notes
- Reheat leftover onion rings in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Cook frozen onion rings in the air fryer preheated at 350 degrees F for 4 minutes.
- Make your own buttermilk by adding 2 1/2 teaspoons of white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup and then filling it up to the 2/3 cup line with milk. Stir then let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Air fry them in a single layer, but feel free to nest them with smaller rings inside larger rings.
- Slice the onions all the same thickness so they will cook evenly.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
