Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printer-friendly)
Golden, crunchy onion rings with a spicy creamy dipping sauce prepared in an air fryer.
# 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 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - ½ cup buttermilk
10 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
11 - Olive oil spray
→ Spicy Burger Sauce
12 - ½ cup mayonnaise
13 - 1½ tablespoons ketchup
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickles
16 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
17 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Separate the onion slices into individual rings and set aside.
03 - In three shallow bowls, place the following: Bowl 1 with flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; Bowl 2 with whisked eggs and buttermilk; Bowl 3 with panko breadcrumbs.
04 - Dredge each onion ring first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Place the coated onion rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
06 - Cook the onion rings at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and re-spraying with olive oil if needed until golden and crispy.
07 - While the onion rings are cooking, combine all spicy burger sauce ingredients in a small bowl, mix well, and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Serve the hot, crispy onion rings accompanied by the spicy burger sauce for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They're ridiculously crispy on the outside and tender inside, with zero deep-fry mess or guilt.
- The spicy burger sauce is addictive enough that you'll find yourself making it for everything else you cook.
- Takes less than 40 minutes from craving to plate, making it perfect for unexpected guests or late-night snacking.
02 -
- Don't skip the cornstarch—it genuinely transforms the texture from merely crunchy to unforgettably crispy in a way regular flour can't match.
- Overcrowding your air fryer basket is the fastest way to sadness; cook in batches if you need to, because steam needs room to escape.
- That halfway flip is non-negotiable if you want even browning on both sides.
03 -
- If your onion rings are slipping out of their coating during cooking, your oil spray might be too heavy—a light mist is all you need, trust me on this one.
- Save any leftover sauce in the fridge for three to four days; it's incredible on fries, burgers, or even grilled chicken.