Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)
Golden, crunchy onion rings air fried to perfection and served with a creamy, zesty dipping sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Onion Rings
01 - 2 large yellow onions
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/2 cup milk
10 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
11 - Olive oil spray
→ Dip
12 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1/4 cup sour cream
14 - 1 tablespoon ketchup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
17 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Peel the onions and slice into 1/2-inch thick rings. Separate the rings and set aside.
02 - Combine flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
03 - Whisk eggs and milk together in a separate bowl.
04 - Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
05 - Dip each onion ring in flour mixture, then egg mixture, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
06 - Place breaded onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray lightly with olive oil.
07 - Cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with olive oil, until golden and crispy.
08 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth, then adjust seasoning to taste.
09 - Serve hot onion rings immediately with the prepared dip.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're genuinely crispy on the outside and tender inside, no soggy middle moments.
- The dip is tangy and creamy without being heavy, so you actually want to make it fresh every time.
- Your kitchen stays clean and you're not dealing with a pot of hot oil splattering everywhere.
02 -
- Don't skip the flip halfway through, or you'll end up with one side darker and crunchier than the other, which sounds good until you're actually eating them.
- The olive oil spray really does make the difference between crispy and sadly limp, so use a proper cooking spray, not just a bottle of oil.
- Serve them immediately while they're still warm; waiting even five minutes changes everything about their texture.
03 -
- Pat your onion rings completely dry before breading them; any moisture will prevent the coating from adhering properly.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket in the name of efficiency; it's better to cook in batches than to end up with unevenly cooked rings.