Easy Air Fryer Onion Rings
Ready for a new crave-worthy snack? Say hello to crunchy, guilt-free Air Fryer Onion Rings! Golden, delicious, and so easy to make. So fire up that air fryer and dive into some seriously tasty eating.
If you haven’t jumped on the air fryer bandwagon yet, don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of room. In fact, now is the perfect time to say hello to a new appliance and say bye-bye to the age of fat-dripping, super greasy, deep-fried onion rings. If you want a guilt-free snack without skimping on all the flavors and textures, this recipe is for you.
Onion rings are such a beloved snack – right up there with french fries. And like potatoes, they can be made in so many ways – you can bake ’em, fry ’em, or even air fry ’em. But only air frying gives the perfect blend of crunch and softness.
Plus, you get to make them however you want. Think unique ingredients like panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and Cajun seasoning. However you wish to do them up, we’ll get you up and cooking… er air frying, in no time!
Are Air Fryer Onion Rings Healthy?
Air fryer onion rings provide all the taste of the old-school deep-fried variety but don’t have nearly the amount of oil. Even better, air frying locks in all the natural nutrients and vitamins, which are usually lost during the deep-frying process. So when you inhale a plate of air-fried onion rings and tell people your eating your veggies, you won’t even be stretching the truth!
INGREDIENTS
I’ve included how I like to do up my onion rings but this is by no means the definitive recipe. Have fun experimenting!
- 2 onions
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 egg whites
- spraying oil
- dip for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Peel and slice the onions into ⅓-inch-thick rings. Set them aside.
Marinate
Place the onion rings in a bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Let the onion marinate in the milk for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
Combine
In a small bowl, combine the panko, cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning.
Whisk
In a second bowl, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Dip each onion ring in the egg whites.
Dip
Dip the onion rings in the breading mixture. Place the breaded onion rings in the air fryer and spray with the oil spray.
Air Fry
Air fry the onion rings for 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove the onions from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate.
DEVOUR!
Tips & Tricks
Choose the right onions: You’re going to want large, firm onions, such as Vidalia or sweet onions. They’ll not only make for easier slicing but will taste better (in my humble opinion).
Slice evenly: Cut the onions as consistently as possible so the they’ll cook evenly. A mandoline slicer may come in handy here. Speaking of even cooking, spread the onion rings out in the air fryer; they shouldn’t be touching each other.
Prep the onions: Soak the onion rings in cold water for about 30 minutes before taking on the recipe. This will remove some of the bite and should make for a crispier batter. Pat them dry with paper towels after giving them their bath.
Variations
- Go cheesy by dipping each onion ring in a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, dried herbs and breadcrumbs.
- Add some chili flakes or cayenne pepper if you like your rings with a kick.
- Experiment with different seasonings and herbs (I mean, Cajun is awesome’ but it’s not the be-all and end-all of flavors). Garlic, paprika, dried oregano, and the standbys salt and pepper will all work.
Serving Suggestions
If you want to serve these air fryer onion rings as a side, why not make Cajun Burgers with Sweet Potato Buns (the Cajun seasoning on both the burgers and the rings is such a treat), serve a Keto Cucumber Salad for your required greens, and for dessert, some No-Bake Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs?
FAQs
Can I make gluten-free onion rings?
Sure thing! Just swap out the regular flour and breadcrumbs for their gluten-free counterparts. Rice flour or almond flour should be available at your local grocery store.
Is it necessary to marinate the onions in buttermilk?
The buttermilk softens up the onions and gives them a slightly tangy flavor. But don’t worry if you’re out of buttermilk or simply in a rush, just mix up 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, let it sit for a bit, then it’s ready to use.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer for this recipe?
Preheat your air fryer — it’s the secret to crunchy onion rings. Aim for 375°F.
How can I prevent the breading from falling off the onion rings?
I pat the rings dry before bathing them in the marinade – too much moisture will make all that breading slide right off. And really give the onion rings a good dip in the foamy egg whites before you coat them. The breadcrumbs will also need a little pressure to stick, so don’t be gentle. That said, once the breadcrumbs are on the onion, handle with care in the air fryer.
How to Store Air Fryer Onion Rings
If you only need to store the onion rings for a few hours, cool them down fully and place them on a wire rack for air circulation. Cover lightly with a kitchen towel or foil (no cling film please, we’re avoiding sogginess!). Keep them in a cool, dry spot away from direct sun or heat sources.
For anything longer, arrange them in a single layer on a plate, then cover with wax or parchment paper, followed by foil. Pop them into the fridge where they can chill for 2-3 days without losing their fab taste. Simple as that!
Easy Air Fryer Onion Rings
Ready for a new crave-worthy snack? Say hello to crunchy, guilt-free Air Fryer Onion Rings! Golden, yum, and so easy to make. Let’s fire up that air fryer and dive into some seriously tasty eating.
Servings 2
Calories 281kcal
Ingredients
- 2 onions
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 egg whites
- spraying oil
- dip for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Peel and slice the onions into ⅓-inch-thick rings. Set them aside.
- Place the onion rings in a bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Let the onion marinate in the milk for at least 2 hours in the fridge.
- In a small bowl, combine the panko, cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning.
- In a second bowl, whisk the egg whites until very foamy. Dip each onion ring in the egg whites.
- Dip the onion rings in the breading mixture. Place the breaded onion rings in the air fryer and spray with the oil spray. Air fry the onion rings for 5 minutes until golden brown. Remove the onions from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate. Serve with a dip of your choice!
Notes
To prevent the breading from falling off the onion rings, I pat the rings dry before bathing them in the marinade – too much moisture is the breading’s enemy. And really give the onion rings a good dip in the foamy egg whites before you coat them. As well, breadcrumbs need a little pressure to stick onto the rings, so don’t be gentle. That said, once the breadcrumbs are on the onion, handle with care in the air fryer so as not to disturb that fresh new coat.
Nutrition
Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 384mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1726IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
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