Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)

Golden, crispy onion rings paired with a creamy, tangy dipping sauce for a tasty snack option.

# What You'll Need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - ¾ cup buttermilk
08 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
09 - Cooking spray

→ Dip

10 - ½ cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
12 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
14 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
15 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Peel the onions and slice into ½-inch thick rings. Separate individual rings and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and smoked paprika; whisk until evenly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with buttermilk until the mixture is uniform.
04 - Place panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl, ensuring easy access for coating.
05 - Dip each onion ring first into the flour mixture, then into the egg-buttermilk, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Arrange coated rings on a tray.
06 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and let it warm for 3 minutes.
07 - Place the coated rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spraying lightly with cooking spray. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crispy. Work in batches if necessary.
08 - Simultaneously, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, cayenne pepper if using, and seasoning with salt and black pepper until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.
09 - Serve the hot, crispy onion rings immediately alongside the chilled dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're actually crispy without being greasy, which feels like cheating when you bite into them.
  • The whole thing happens faster than ordering takeout, start to finish.
  • That tangy dip is so good you'll find yourself making extra just for snacking later.
02 -
  • Don't skip the egg-to-panko step or the coating won't stick properly—I learned this the hard way with a tray that partially fell off mid-fry.
  • If your rings are turning dark too fast, lower the heat to 375°F and add a minute or two; every air fryer has its own personality.
03 -
  • Let your panko-coated rings sit for five minutes before frying—this sets the coating so it doesn't slide off mid-cook.
  • For extra flavor depth, mix a pinch of cayenne into the panko itself rather than relying only on the dip to add heat.

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