Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings

There's something about the smell of onions hitting hot air that just stops me in my tracks—that golden, almost caramelized aroma that fills the kitchen before you even open the air fryer. I discovered these crispy air fryer onion rings on a random Tuesday when I had a bag of onions going soft and absolutely no patience for deep frying. What started as a practical solution turned into something I now make whenever I want that crack of crunch without the oil splatters and cleanup headache.

I made these for my friends on game day last fall, and honestly, they disappeared faster than I could pull the second batch from the air fryer. Someone asked if they were from a restaurant, which felt like the highest compliment I could get in that moment.

Ingredients

• Large yellow onions: Two whole onions give you enough rings to feel generous; slice them into rings thick enough to hold the coating but thin enough to stay tender inside.
• All-purpose flour: This is your base layer, and mixing it with cornstarch keeps the coating from getting gummy.
• Cornstarch: The secret to extra crispiness—it fries up even crunchier than flour alone.
• Garlic powder and smoked paprika: These two do the flavor work, giving you that savory depth before the sauce even comes into play.
• Eggs and buttermilk: The buttermilk adds tang and helps the coating stick; the eggs bind everything together.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Bigger crumbs than regular breadcrumbs, which means bigger pockets for air to create that perfect crunch.
• Olive oil spray: You need just enough to help browning; too much and they get greasy instead of crispy.
• Mayonnaise: The base of the sauce—creamy, rich, and ready to take on spice and flavor.
• Ketchup, Dijon mustard, and pickles: These three give you sweet, tangy, and briny notes that balance the heat.
• Hot sauce: Start with one teaspoon and taste; some brands are wickedly hot while others just whisper.

Instructions

Get your air fryer ready:

Preheat to 400°F for three minutes. This matters more than you'd think—a cold air fryer gives you soggy rings instead of crispy ones.

Separate and prepare your onions:

Peel and slice your onions into ½-inch rings, then gently separate them so they're individual pieces ready for coating. Some rings will fall apart and that's fine—they still taste amazing.

Set up your breading station:

Line up three bowls: flour mixture in the first, whisked eggs and buttermilk in the second, and panko in the third. Having everything prepped means you can move quickly and keep your hands from getting too messy.

Coat each ring with intention:

Take an onion ring, drag it through the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg bath, and finally roll it in panko—press gently so the crumbs stick. This is where patience pays off; rushy coating means flaky results.

Arrange and spray:

Place coated rings in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. A light spray of olive oil helps them brown evenly.

Cook in batches:

Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again if needed. You'll know they're done when they're golden brown and the coating sounds crispy when you tap it.

Make the sauce while they cook:

Combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, hot sauce, and spices in a small bowl. Taste and adjust—more hot sauce if you like heat, more mustard if you want tang.

Serve immediately:

Crispy onion rings are best within minutes of coming out of the air fryer, served with that spicy sauce for dunking.

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There was this one time I made these for my sister after she'd had a rough week, and watching her face light up at that first crunchy bite reminded me that food is just another way of saying I care. These onion rings feel humble, but they land so much harder than their simplicity suggests.

The Air Fryer Advantage

Air fryers have this remarkable ability to mimic deep-frying without the oil volume, and onion rings are one of the best arguments for owning one. You get that shattering exterior and tender-but-not-mushy interior in a fraction of the time and mess of a stovetop deep fryer. The circulating hot air reaches every angle of the ring, browning it evenly without any of the babysitting you'd need with traditional frying.

Customizing Your Sauce

The burger sauce as written is spicy but balanced, but this is where your preferences take over completely. Some people I know add a pinch of cayenne for more heat, while others stir in a little honey to round out the kick. Greek yogurt can replace the mayo if you want something lighter, though the sauce loses a bit of richness—I usually go half and half if I'm aiming for healthier.

Making Them Last (Or Not)

Crispy onion rings are at their absolute best eaten hot and fresh, but life happens and you might have leftovers. Reheat them in the air fryer for three to four minutes at 350°F to restore crunch; the microwave will make them soft and sad, so avoid that route. If you're meal prepping, coat the rings the day before and store them in an airtight container in the fridge, then air fry them straight from cold—add a minute or two to the cooking time.

• Store any leftover sauce separately in a sealed container for up to five days.
• Uncoated onion rings can be frozen for up to two months if you layer them between parchment paper.
• Always reheat in the air fryer, never the microwave, to keep them crispy.

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These onion rings are the kind of recipe that proves simple ingredients in the right hands become something memorable. Make them once and I guarantee you'll be reaching for this one again.

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do I make the onion rings crispy?

Use panko breadcrumbs and spray with olive oil before air frying to ensure they turn out golden and crispy.

→ Can I use a different sauce?

Yes, you can substitute the spicy burger sauce with any dipping sauce of your choice, such as ranch or marinara.

→ How long should I air fry the onion rings?

Air fry the onion rings at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crispy.

→ Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

→ How do I store leftover onion rings?

Store leftover onion rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.