Name: Air Fryer Onion Rings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rings; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; Cooking spray or olive oil spray

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Okay, let’s be honest, who *doesn’t* crave crispy, golden onion rings? The problem is, the deep-fried versions? Not always the healthiest choice, right? That’s where my air fryer swoops in to save the day! These Air Fryer Onion Rings give you that same satisfying crunch and flavor without all the excess oil. Trust me, you won’t even miss the deep fryer! I’m Lisa Raymond, and I’ve spent countless hours in my Seattle kitchen perfecting these. My first attempt? Let’s just say it resulted in slightly…deflated rings. But *this* recipe? Perfection!

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Onion Rings

Seriously, once you try these, you might never go back to the deep-fried kind! Here’s why:

Healthier (duh!): We’re talking way less oil, but with all the crunch. It’s a win-win.
Easy Peasy: This is one of the easiest air fryer recipes you’ll find. I promise!
Crispy Perfection: I’ve cracked the code for seriously crispy onion rings in the air fryer. No soggy rings here!
Seriously Delicious: They’re golden, savory, and oh-so-satisfying. The perfect snack or side.
Quick Cooking: Forget slaving over a hot stove. These are ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients for the Best Air Fryer Onion Rings

Okay, gather ’round, because here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen. I’m super specific about these ingredients because, trust me, it makes a difference!

1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rings. Don’t skimp on the size; we want big, beautiful rings!
1/2 cup all-purpose flour – for that first layer of crispy goodness.
1 teaspoon paprika – adds a little smokiness.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – because everything’s better with garlic!
1/4 teaspoon salt – just a pinch to bring out the flavors.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – freshly ground is always best, if you’ve got it.
1 large egg, beaten – helps the breadcrumbs stick.
1 cup panko breadcrumbs – these are the secret to extra-crispy rings!
Cooking spray or olive oil spray – for that golden finish. Woo-hoo!

How to Make Air Fryer Onion Rings: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get down to business! Follow these super-simple steps, and you’ll be munching on crispy onion rings in no time. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it!

First things first: gently separate those onion rings. You want ’em nice and loose, not stuck together. Set them aside for now.
Okay, grab three shallow dishes. In the first, whisk together your flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This is our flavor base! Make sure it’s all mixed evenly – no one wants a mouthful of straight paprika.
In the second dish, place that beaten egg. Give it a little whisk, just to make sure it’s ready for dipping.
And in the third dish? Your panko breadcrumbs. This is the crispy magic!
Now, the fun part! Take each onion ring and dredge it in the flour mixture. Make sure it’s fully coated, but shake off any extra – we don’t want it to be cakey!
Next, dip that floured ring into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. We just want a light coating here, folks.
Finally, coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to make sure they stick. This is where the crunch happens, so don’t be shy!
Now, *this* is important: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Seriously, don’t skip this step! A preheated air fryer it key to crispy onion rings.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This prevents sticking AND helps with browning (double win!).
Arrange the breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. And here’s a HUGE tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket! You’ll likely need to cook them in batches to get them truly crispy. If they’re crammed together, they’ll steam instead of crisp.
Lightly spray the tops of the onion rings with more cooking spray. This helps them get that gorgeous golden-brown color.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on them – you want them golden brown and crispy, not burnt.
Repeat with the remaining onion rings.
And that’s it! Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. I’m telling you, these are addictive!

Tips for the Crispiest Air Fryer Onion Rings

Want onion rings that are *actually* crispy and not just…sad? I’ve got you covered! These are my tried-and-true secrets for air fryer onion ring perfection.

Yellow Onions are Your Best Bet: I find that yellow onions give you the perfect balance of sweetness and that classic onion-y bite. Plus, they tend to hold their shape pretty well during cooking.
Keep it COLD!: I kinda wing it with most recipes, but here you need to remember this. Once you bread the rings, put them in the freezer for about 10 minutes before air frying. This will really help the breading adhere to the onion, so You won’t lose all that yummy goodness in the air fryer. Trust me!
Don’t Skip the Spray: That cooking spray isn’t just for preventing sticking! It also helps the breadcrumbs get nice and golden. I like to give them a good spritz before they go in and another one halfway through cooking.
Related to the previous point, Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: I know, I know, I mentioned this before, but it’s *so* important to get right (worth repeating). Overcrowding will give you sad, soggy onion rings. And nobody wants that! Want to spice them up? Check out these spicy cajun onion rings.

Serving Suggestions for Your Air Fryer Onion Rings

Okay, so you’ve got a batch of crispy, golden Air Fryer Onion Rings… now what? Well, first, pat yourself on the back! But then, it’s time to think about dipping sauces! Of course, you can’t go wrong with classic ketchup. But listen, why not get a little fancy? I *love* ranch dressing with mine. Or, if you’re feeling a little spicy, a sriracha mayo is AMAZING. Seriously, just mix some mayo with sriracha to taste. Or, you know what? They’re pretty awesome all on their own too! Sometimes simple is best, right?

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Onion Rings

Okay, let’s be real, these Air Fryer Onion Rings? They’re best served *fresh* out of the air fryer basket. I’m not gonna lie! But, if you happen to have some leftovers (lucky you!), here’s how to handle ’em. Store any leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the fridge. The trick is to reheat them in the air fryer again! A few minutes at 350°F (175°C) should do the trick. They won’t be *quite* as amazing as the first time, but they’ll still be pretty darn good!

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Onion Rings

Got questions about makin’ these awesome Air Fryer Onion Rings? I bet you do! Here are some of the most common questions I get, along with my super-helpful answers:

Can I use different types of onions?

Totally! While I prefer yellow onions for their sweetness, you can experiment with white onions or even red onions for a bit more of a bite. Just keep in mind that red onions can be a little more pungent, so maybe soak them in ice water for a few minutes before breading. That’ll mellow ’em out!

Can I use gluten-free flour or breadcrumbs?

Yup! To make gluten-free air fryer onion rings, swap out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend. Almond flour or a rice flour blend works great. And, of course, use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. Easy peasy!

How do I prevent the breading from falling off?

Ah, the age-old question! The secret is to really press those panko breadcrumbs onto the onion rings. Like, *really* press. Also, making sure your onion rings are relatively dry before you start breading them helps. And don’t forget that tip about freezing them for a few minutes before cooking! If you are looking for more vegan options then you need to check out these vegan mozzarella sticks!

Can I make these vegan?

Absolutely! To make vegan air fryer onion rings use a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let sit for 5 minutes to thicken) instead of a chicken egg. You have to use different breadcrumbs too!

How long do they last?

Okay, these air fryer onion rings really are best when eaten fresh. BUT, if you have leftovers, they’ll last in the fridge for a day or two… maybe. Honestly, they never last that long in *my* house! Just remember to reheat them in the air fryer to get some of that crispiness back!

Nutritional Information for Air Fryer Onion Rings

Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nutritional info for these crispy delights, right? Well, here’s the deal: I’m not a nutritionist, and honestly, the exact numbers can vary wildly depending on the brands you use and the size of your onion rings. So, the nutrition information provided here is just a rough estimate. Don’t stress too much about the specifics – just enjoy those delicious onion rings responsibly!

Enjoy Your Air Fryer Onion Rings!

Alright, you’ve got the recipe, you’ve got the tips, now get in the kitchen and make these amazing Air Fryer Onion Rings! Seriously, I can’t wait for you to try them. And when you do? Let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, rate the recipe, or share a picture on social media. I love seeing your creations!