Crunchy, savory, and lighter than fried, these Baked Onion Rings are the most perfect side dish.
The onion ring has stood firm as a time-tested side dish, especially in America and Britain. Recipes date back as far as 1802 with a British recipe of sliced onions dipped in batter with Parmesan cheese and then fried to golden goodness. Thank you, Britain.
I am, admittedly, an onion ring fanatic. I simply cannot resist the amazing aroma of battered onions sizzling away. No matter how pungent an onion is, it will cave to the heat when it’s cooking and transform into a soft, sweet delicacy. These onion rings are baked in the oven, resulting in a classic onion ring experience without needing a dunk in a deep fryer.
With only a light spray of oil before placing them in the oven, the best part about baked onion rings is that you will not miss the additional fat from deep-frying, like with traditional fried onion rings. It is possible to get that wonderful onion ring crunch without sending the battered onions for a swim in oil. Plus, cleanup is so much better when baking instead of frying.
Are Baked Onion Rings Healthy?
Baked onion rings are much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. While they’re still high in carbs thanks to the flour and breadcrumb coating, they are much lighter in calories and fat.
Onions are rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, and other antioxidants. Since the rest of the ingredients used here are pretty nutritionally bland, most of your health benefits will be coming from the onions themselves.
Baked onion rings are made with only a few ingredients; however, you can change them up a little to coincide with special diets. For example, you could swap the regular panko breadcrumbs and flour for gluten-free varieties. For vegan dieters, you can omit the eggs and dip the onions in almond, soy, or coconut milk instead.
It Pays To Use Panko
Panko breadcrumbs are not interchangeable with regular breadcrumbs. Panko are a type of coarsely ground breadcrumbs made from crustless white bread. Because they are large and flaky, these breadcrumbs fry really well, resulting in a texture that stays crispy and airy.
Traditional breadcrumb varieties use the entire loaf of bread, including the crust. These breadcrumbs absorb oil much more easily, which can leave you with heavy, greasy fried food. So, be sure you are using panko with this recipe; it makes a big difference.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Don’t throw away your leftover onion rings! Place them in an airtight container, stacked with a paper towel between each layer, until the container is full. They will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can reheat the onion rings in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-12 minutes. You can also pop them in an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
The delightful onion ring is a fabulous snack on its own. Still, it also makes an impressive and fun side. What comes to mind when you consider onion rings? Maybe a Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog on a summer day? Or how about a Black Bean Burger, so you can indulge in a burger and onion rings with no guilt? Whatever you choose, don’t forget some homemade Onion Ring Sauce to dip them in!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 medium-large yellow onions
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs pulsed in a food processor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Peel the onions and slice them into 1/2-inch thick rings, discarding the very small inner rings or saving them for another use.
- Set up your breading station with three dishes: one with the flour and spices, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat each onion ring in flour, dip into eggs, and then press into breadcrumbs. You need to ensure full coverage.
- Arrange the breaded onion rings on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the onion rings are golden brown.
- Serve the hot onion rings with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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