Air Fryer Onion Rings
Air Fryer Onion Rings offer a golden, crunchy, and healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried rings. Made with simple pantry ingredients and cooked quickly in an air fryer, these crispy onion rings are perfect for snacks, appetizers, or side dishes. They deliver the satisfying crunch and sweet onion flavor you love with less oil and minimal mess.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs)
Main Ingredients
- 2 large sweet or yellow onions, sliced into half-inch thick rings
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Cooking spray or oil, for misting
- Prepare the Onions: Peel and slice your large onions into about half-inch thick rings to keep them sturdy enough for coating and frying.
- Set Up Coating Stations: In one bowl, mix the flour with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Beat eggs in a second bowl. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl; optionally, mix in grated Parmesan or dried herbs if desired.
- Coat the Onion Rings: Dip each onion ring first into the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure even coverage.
- Preheat and Arrange in Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and arrange the coated onion rings in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Cook to Crispy Perfection: Air fry the onion rings for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Spray lightly with oil during cooking to help promote a golden, crunchy crust.
- Cool and Serve: Once cooked, let the onion rings cool slightly before serving to maintain their crispiness and avoid burning your fingers.
Notes
- Use sweet onions like Vidalia for a mild, pleasant flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crunch.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs.
- Check the rings after 7 minutes as cooking times may vary with onion thickness and air fryer models.
- Lightly spray oil to brown the coating beautifully without greasiness.
- Optional variations include gluten-free alternatives, adding spices for heat, mixing Parmesan for a cheesy crust, or soaking rings in buttermilk for extra tenderness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 6-8 rings)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Air Fryer Onion Rings, crispy onion rings, healthy onion rings, air fryer snack, gluten free onion rings, easy appetizers