Skip the greasy mess and serve up crispy, crunchy, veggie-based snacks or sides in no time with this easy guide!
Onions are my favorite vegetable. Pretty much every dish I make begins with onions—typically sautéed in butter or oil as a foundation for all other flavors. When I was a kid, my dad and I would snack on raw green onions dipped in salt. Once, I ate an entire raw red onion like an apple on a dare.
As you might guess, onion rings are one of my all-time fave side dishes. I’ll take them over french fries any day. And the air fryer has made it possible to enjoy light, crispy, not-at-all-greasy onion rings at home anytime I like! So I am delighted to share this guide for how to make onion rings in an air fryer with the world.
Feel free to adapt the seasonings in this recipe to your preferences. I like the mild kick of a dash of cayenne pepper, but you can omit it if you’re sharing these with kids or adults who have sensitive palates. Sub in a little paprika for peppery warmth, rosemary for brightness, or oregano for a hint of Italian zest.
Whether you serve your rings beside burgers fresh off the grill or as a snack alongside your favorite dipping sauces, your whole family will love their savory-sweet crunch!
The best onion varieties for rings
My favorite onions for making onion rings are the sweet varieties: Vidalia, Maui, or Walla Walla. They have a very mild flavor that’s naturally sweet, and their large size yields substantial rings with tender texture. However, they can run a little pricey and may not be available year-round in all locations.
My second choice is the standard yellow onion, which is typically more affordable and readily available all year. Yellow onions have robust flavor with a good balance of sweetness and bite, and their texture holds up nicely in the air fryer. The downside here is less sweetness, which might not appeal to everyone.
In third place are white onions. They’re less sweet and more pungent than the others, but their flavor runs clean and mild after frying. Plus, their crisp texture can yield rings with an extra bit of crunch.
The only variety I advise against is the red onion. I love them raw on a salad for their colorful appearance and sweet-sharp flavor, but they lack the textural substance to stand up to dredging and frying.
How do I store leftovers?
Let your onion rings cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment or wax paper. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a single layer in a preheated 350°F air fryer for about 4 minutes, flipping at the halfway point, until they’re warmed through and crispy.
Freezing this dish is not ideal, as the breading can become soggy when thawed. But if you must, flash-freeze the rings in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer as directed above, but expect less crispness.
Serving suggestions
Serve air-fryer onion rings alongside tasty sauces for dipping. Some of my faves include classic Homemade Ranch Dressing and French Onion Dip. Amp up the heat with the spicy kick of The Best Queso Ever or this Hot Corn Dip. Or play it cool with the fresh flavors of Yogurt Herb Dipping Sauce.
How To Make Onion Rings In An Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet onions
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional or to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- Cooking spray or oil mister
Instructions
- Peel the onions and slice them into 1/2-inch rounds. Gently separate them into individual rings.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: In the first, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk together the eggs. In the third, add the panko crumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Working in batches, dip each onion ring first into the flour mixture, coating all sides. Shake off any excess.
- Next, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, then coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. For extra-crispy rings, repeat the egg and panko steps a second time.
- Arrange the coated rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Air-fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer cooked onion rings to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining batches.
- Season with additional salt if desired and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Been trying different recipes in my new airfryer this definitely be the next one .
Great, let us know how it goes!
Any left overs, can they be frozen or kept in fridge? Thanks.
Yep! Store in the fridge for 3 days or freeze. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F to crisp them up!