How to Make Onion Rings in an Air Fryer

Name: How to Make Onion Rings in an Air Fryer
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 large sweet onions; 2 eggs; 1 cup flour; 2 cups panko bread crumbs; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp cayenne pepper; salt and pepper

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You’re moments away from crunching into some seriously tasty homemade onion rings, all thanks to your air fryer! No more deep-fried guilt trip — just yummy, health-conscious munchies.

I’m a total sucker for crunchy, yummy onion rings but I can definitely do without the immediate guilt that comes when I see the greasy aftermath.

Thanks to my air fryer, I can enjoy that first part without having to suffer through the second bit. I love that it is a healthier alternative to traditional onion rings AND it’s also got room for you to play around with different spices and breadings. For those who love to dip, try pairing them with this homemade ranch dressing or this yummy yogurt herb dip.

So, pretend your kitchen is your own personal snack bar and whip up the onion rings of your dreams — with all the taste and crunch, and little of the grease and guilt.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Air frying is the superior option to deep-frying. You use less oil and gives your favorite snack a bit of a health boost, similar to how air-fried popcorn offers a healthier alternative to the traditional snack.
With less grease and a shorter cooking time, these onion rings become a solid snack-and-dip combination. You can also give your french fries a rest by siding your burgers with these babies in their place. (Or, you can be like me and put the onion rings on the burger!) For another twist on a classic side dish, why not try potato wedges?
They won’t break the bank. Onion rings are budget-friendly bites of beauty.
You haven’t experienced the crunch of onion rings until you’ve done them in the air fryer. If you’re looking for more crispy delights, consider giving air-fryer everything chicken fingers with honey mustard dip a try.

Ingredients

The last four ingredients are for seasoning, so experiment with them to see which ones you like.

3 large sweet onions
2 eggs
1 cup flour
2 cups panko bread crumbs
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper

How to Make Air Fryer Onion Rings – The Steps

Step 1: Peel and slice the onions into 2-inch rounds and separate them to make an individual onion ring (i.e., so that there is only 1 layer of the onion).

Step 2: In one bowl whisk the eggs together. In another bowl mix the flour, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper together, and in a third add the panko crumbs. Line them up so that you can go from one to the next easily.

Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

Step 4: Dip the onion ring in the flour, then in the egg, then in the panko crumbs. You can dip them in the flour and egg mixture twice if you would like them quickly and thickly coated.

Step 5: Place them into the air fryer in a single layer and fry for 10 – 15 minutes

Variations

Want to bring the heat? Pump up the cayenne pepper, or maybe even toss in some chili powder and/or paprika to take the spice to the next level. You can also add sriracha sauce to the egg mix for some real punch.
Mix in herbs like thyme or rosemary to your flour mix for a more herby taste.
Add some grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture for a cheesy crust.

Tips & Tricks

Go for those big sweet onions, such as the varieties often used in recipes like caramelized onion garlic jam ’cause when it comes to onion rings, we’re all about “go big or go home.”
To make sure my onion rings are completely coated, I like to double dip. That might be a faux pas at cocktail parties but when making air fryer onion rings, it’s totally acceptable (especially if you’re the only one who’s going to eat them!). First, coat it in flour, dunk into egg, back into flour, back into egg, and finally roll it around in some panko bread crumbs.
Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer to 350°F. If you don’t, you might not get that crunch I’ve been raving about. By the way, if you’re seeking more air fryer inspiration, check out our air fryer french fries recipe.

FAQs

Can I use regular bread crumbs instead of panko bread crumbs?

I recommend panko in this recipe because they make your rings feel lighter and crispier, but regular bread crumbs do just as well.

Do I have to use sweet onions for this recipe?

I like using Vidalia or Walla Walla sweet onions since I find they have sweet and mild vibes, but you can totally try yellow or white ones, too.

Can I make these onion rings gluten-free?

Swap the regular flour out for a gluten-free one and use gluten-free panko or other gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Why are my onion rings not crispy?

Here are a few things to check: See if your air fryer is preheated right before putting your onions in. Give the rings their space in the air fryer; the air needs room to circulate. Try prolonging the cooking time or bumping the temperature just a tad. Keep an eye on them though u002du002d you want u0022crispy,u0022 not u0022burnt.u0022

What sauces can I serve with these air fryer onion rings?

You can’t tell but my eyes just lit up at this question. Dips? It’s wide open. Wanna go classic? Reach for that ketchup bottle. Or fill that condiment cup with mayo, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. Want a spicy kick? Sriracha mayo. Feeling gourmet? Whisk up some Toasted Marshmallow Dip or this Honey Mustard Dip. You can keep it simple or go for something slightly more complex.

Serving Suggestions

Go for the Air Fryer Everything Chicken Fingers, which I recommend pairing with these onion rings for your next party. You’ll already have the air fryer out so it’s convenient; plus, the dip can be used for both the rings and the fingers.

I also mentioned a Toasted Marshmallow Dip up there; that dip is intended for Sweet Potato Fries, but you can definitely pair that with these crunchy onion rings.

And last, what sort of recipe purveyor would I be if I didn’t recommend a burger to go alongside these rings? In fact, this isn’t just any burger, it’s The Best Burger Ever.

How to Store Air Fryer Onion Rings

Let the onion rings cool until they reach room temperature so they don’t get soggy in storage. Pop them into an airtight container, separating them with some parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick together. They will be good for up to 3 days in the fridge. I really don’t recommend freezing, since they will lose their crunch when you defrost them. (You’ll want to skip the microwave for the same reason.)

To retain their crispiness, heat them up in the air fryer at 350°F. Lay out the rings so they don’t crowd each other. Heat them up for 4 minutes until they’re all warm and crispy. Flip them halfway for even heating.