Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)
Golden, crispy onion rings air fried to perfection with a creamy tangy dip, ideal for a savory snack.
# What You Need:
→ Onion Rings Coating
01 - 2 large yellow onions, peeled and cut into ½-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 cup buttermilk
09 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
10 - Cooking spray (vegetable or canola oil)
→ Creamy Dipping Sauce
11 - ½ cup mayonnaise
12 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Slice peeled onions into ½-inch thick rings. Separate into individual rings and discard the very small center pieces.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls. In the first, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk eggs and buttermilk until blended. Place panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
03 - Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Press firmly into panko breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly.
04 - Place breaded rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each ring. Lightly coat tops with cooking spray.
05 - Cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time, until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until completely smooth. Refrigerate until serving.
07 - Transfer hot onion rings to a serving plate alongside the chilled dipping sauce. For best texture, serve immediately while crispiest.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The satisfaction of crispy crunch without the guilt of deep frying
- A dipping sauce that makes people ask for the recipe immediately
- Enough to feed a crowd or keep as your secret snack stash
02 -
- Air fryers vary wildly, so check your first batch after 8 minutes to prevent burning
- Crowding the basket leads to soggy rings, so cook in batches for best results
03 -
- Double coating the rings by repeating the egg and panko steps creates restaurant style thickness
- Let the coated rings sit for 10 minutes before air frying to help the coating set better