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A pile of crispy, golden-brown onion rings, freshly fried.

Ultimate Crispy Onion Rings with Two Custom Seasonings

These ultimate crispy onion rings are perfectly golden and crunchy, made even better with two incredible custom seasoning blends: Smoky Paprika & Garlic, and Zesty Herb & Parmesan. They're ideal as a satisfying snack or a delicious side to any meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • shallow dish
  • large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
  • kitchen thermometer
  • wire rack
  • baking sheet
  • slotted spoon

Ingredients
  

For the Onion Rings

  • 2 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into ½-inch thick rings
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (divided: 1 ½ cups for batter, ½ cup for dredging)
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups cold sparkling water or club soda
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For Seasoning Blend 1: Smoky Paprika & Garlic

  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

For Seasoning Blend 2: Zesty Herb & Parmesan

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions
 

Onion Preparation

  • Separate your sliced onion rings and soak them in ice water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Drain the onions thoroughly and pat them very dry with paper towels.

Batter Preparation

  • In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Gradually whisk in the cold sparkling water until the batter is smooth.

Dredging Station Setup

  • Place the remaining ½ cup of all-purpose flour in a shallow dish, and have your batter bowl and a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet ready.

Seasoning Blends

  • Combine the ingredients for Seasoning Blend 1 in one small bowl and Seasoning Blend 2 in another; mix each well.

Frying Oil

  • Pour vegetable oil into a large pot to a depth of about 3 inches and heat to 350-375°F (175-190°C).

Batch Frying

  • Take a few onion rings, dredge them in dry flour, then dip them in the wet batter, and carefully lower them into the hot oil.

Cooking

  • Fry for 2-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.

Seasoning

  • Remove cooked onion rings with a slotted spoon, transfer to a wire rack, and immediately sprinkle with your desired seasoning blend while hot.

Repeat & Serve

  • Continue frying and seasoning the remaining onion rings in batches, then serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For extra crispiness, ensure your sparkling water is very cold. Do not overcrowd the pot when frying; this can lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy onion rings. Adjust cayenne pepper in Seasoning Blend 1 to your spice preference. These onion rings are best served immediately.