Air Fryer Crispy Onion Rings (Printable)

Golden, crunchy onion rings paired with creamy garlic aioli for a flavorful snack.

# What you'll need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Olive oil spray

→ Garlic Aioli Dip

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and set aside.
03 - Arrange three separate bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs with buttermilk. In the third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika.
04 - Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Gently press to ensure the coating adheres properly.
05 - Arrange the coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with olive oil. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
07 - While the onion rings cook, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.
08 - Transfer the hot crispy onion rings to a serving plate and serve immediately with garlic aioli dip on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that impossible crunch without the guilt or the lingering fried smell in your kitchen for three days.
  • The garlic aioli tastes like you spent actual effort, but it takes about as long as opening a jar of store-bought dip.
  • They're ready in under 40 minutes from "I want a snack" to actually eating one.
02 -
  • Don't skip the oil spray step thinking they'll be fine without it; the air fryer needs that little bit of fat to create the crispy exterior you're chasing.
  • If your onion rings are cooking too fast and getting dark before the inside softens, lower the temperature to 350°F and add a few minutes; every air fryer has its own personality.
03 -
  • Keep your onion rings in a single layer with space between them; crowding the basket is the enemy of crispiness.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, have the first batch resting on a warm plate while you cook subsequent batches so everyone gets hot rings at roughly the same time.
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