Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)
Golden, crunchy onion rings baked in air fryer with tangy, homemade sauce. Perfect appetizer or snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Onion Rings
01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Olive oil spray
→ Burger Sauce
10 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
12 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
13 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickles
14 - 1 teaspoon pickle juice
15 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - Separate the onion slices into rings and reserve the small inner pieces for another use.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: Combine flour, salt, and black pepper in the first; whisk eggs and buttermilk in the second; mix panko breadcrumbs with smoked paprika in the third.
04 - Dredge each onion ring in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
05 - Dip the floured rings into the egg and buttermilk mixture, ensuring full coverage.
06 - Press each ring into the panko breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly coated.
07 - Place the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
08 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with olive oil, until golden brown and crispy.
09 - Combine all burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl, adjusting seasoning to taste.
10 - Serve the hot onion rings alongside the burger sauce.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're impossibly crispy outside and tender inside without deep frying or dealing with hot oil splatters.
- The burger sauce tastes like it came from a diner, tangy and slightly sweet, made with stuff already in your fridge.
- Twelve minutes from raw onions to golden rings means you can make a proper snack faster than delivery.
02 -
- Don't skip the second spray of oil halfway through—this is the difference between golden and pale, between crispy and chewy.
- Separate your onion rings individually before breading; stacked rings cook unevenly and stick together in the basket.
03 -
- Soak your sliced onions in cold water for 15 minutes before breading them—this keeps them crisp and prevents them from drying out in the air fryer.
- Mix your sauce at least 10 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to get to know each other.