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Onion Rings

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side dishes•american•vegetarian, contains gluten
45 minutes•4 servings•

Ingredients

  • 2 large yellow onions – peeled and sliced into 0.5-inch-thick rings
  • 8 cups water – ice-cold (for soaking)
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180g)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt – divided
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper – finely ground
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups lager beer – cold
  • 48 ounces vegetable oil – for frying
Onion Rings

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Separate the sliced yellow onions into individual rings and submerge them in a bowl of ice-cold water; soak 20 minutes to mellow sharpness and help them stay crisp.

  2. 2.

    Set a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat to 350–365°F, monitoring with a thermometer.

  3. 3.

    While the oil heats, whisk 1 cup of the all-purpose flour with the cornstarch, baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne in a medium bowl. Whisk in the cold lager beer until smooth and the consistency of thin pancake batter. Let stand 10 minutes.

  4. 4.

    Drain the onion rings and pat completely dry between kitchen towels. Put the remaining 0.5 cup flour in a shallow dish for dredging.

  5. 5.

    Working in batches, dredge onion rings lightly in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip each ring into the batter, letting excess drip back into the bowl.

  6. 6.

    Fry the battered rings in batches without crowding, 2–3 minutes total, turning once, until deep golden and crisp. Maintain the oil at 350–365°F.

  7. 7.

    Remove to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and immediately season with the reserved salt. Repeat with remaining rings, returning the oil to temperature between batches.

  8. 8.

    Serve hot and crisp as soon as possible.

Onion rings are a quintessential fried side: tender-sweet onion encased in a light, shatteringly crisp golden shell. The contrast of juicy onion and airy crust, plus a salty finish, makes them irresistible alongside burgers, sandwiches, or on their own with dipping sauces. Their appeal comes from the balance of mild allium sweetness and a batter that stays crisp without feeling heavy.

Though fried onions appear in many cuisines, the ring format rose to prominence in the English-speaking world. Batter-fried onion ring recipes were documented as early as the early 19th century in British cookery, and the style later flourished in North American diners and drive-ins in the 20th century. Regional adaptations emerged—beer batters, breadcrumb coatings, and different onion varieties—but the central idea of battered, deep-fried onion slices has remained a beloved staple of casual dining.