Make perfectly crispy onion rings in your air fryer using a simple three-step breading process. This recipe avoids excess oil while delivering a satisfying crunch.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:12 min
Total Time:27 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Appetizer
Method:Air Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 large yellow onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
Cooking spray (oil-based)
Instructions
Slice the onions into 1/4-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and set aside.
Prepare the dredging stations: In the first shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. In the second dish, whisk together the eggs and milk. In the third dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each onion ring: Coat it first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it completely into the egg mixture. Finally, press it firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs, ensuring full coverage. Place the coated rings on a plate.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
Lightly spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded onion rings in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
Spray the tops of the onion rings lightly with cooking spray.
Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the rings halfway through the cooking time. Continue spraying lightly with oil spray during the flip to promote browning.
Remove when golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For extra crispiness, chill the breaded rings for 15 minutes before air frying.
If you want a slightly thinner coating, use regular breadcrumbs instead of Panko, but Panko yields the best crunch.
To prevent breading from falling off, press the Panko onto the rings firmly after the egg wash.
Serve with a simple mix of mayonnaise and ketchup for a quick dipping sauce.