Crispy Onion Rings

Ingredients

• 2 yellow onions (large, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rings)
• 1.5 cup all purpose flour (divided: 1/2 cup for dredging, 1 cup for batter)
• 0.25 cup cornstarch (for the batter)
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs (for the final coating)
• 1 cup club soda (or sparkling water; cold)
• 1 tbsp parsley (optional; dried or finely chopped fresh)
• 0.5 tbsp garlic powder (for the batter)
• 0.5 tbsp onion powder (for the batter)
• 0.5 tbsp smoked paprika (for the batter)
• 1 tsp chicken seasoning (for the batter)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional; for the batter)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (for the batter)
• salt (to taste, plus extra for sprinkling while hot)
• neutral oil (for deep frying (e.g., vegetable, canola, or peanut oil))
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (for the sauce)
• 2 tbsp ketchup (for the sauce)
• 0.5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (for the sauce)
• 1 tsp chili powder (optional; for the sauce)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (for the sauce)

Steps

1. 1

   Peel 2 large yellow onions and slice them into 1/2-inch thick rings.

2. 2

   Gently separate the onion layers into individual rings.

3. 3

   Prepare the batter: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tbsp garlic powder, salt to taste, 1 tsp chicken seasoning, 1/2 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper (if using), 1 cup club soda, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined and smooth.

4. 4

   Prepare the panko coating: In another shallow bowl, add 1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1 tbsp parsley, and salt to taste. Mix to combine.

5. 5

   Prepare the dredging flour: In a third bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup of flour with a pinch of salt and pepper.

6. 6

   Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp chili powder (if using), 1/2 tsp black pepper, and salt to taste. Set aside.

7. 7

   In a large pot, add enough neutral oil for deep frying. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).

8. 8

   Working with one ring at a time, dip the onion ring first into the plain flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

9. 9

   Next, dip the floured ring into the club soda batter, letting the excess drip off.

10. 10

    Finally, dredge the ring lightly in the panko breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.

11. 11

    Carefully add the prepared onion rings into the hot oil in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.

12. 12

    Fry for 2–3 minutes, or until the rings are golden brown and crisp.

13. 13

    Use a slotted spoon to remove the rings from the oil and place them on a paper towel–lined tray or a wire rack to drain excess oil.

14. 14

    Sprinkle the onion rings with a little extra salt while they are still hot.

15. 15

    Serve immediately while hot and crispy with the prepared dipping sauce.

Notes

For the best results, ensure the club soda is very cold when mixing the batter to achieve maximum crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pot while frying, as this will drop the oil temperature and lead to greasy onion rings.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• snack
• fried
• vegetarian
• side dish
• party food