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These Crispy Baked Onion Rings are a healthier, yet just as delicious, version of the deep-fried kind you get at fast food restaurants. Serve them as a snack, appetizer or alongside The Best Turkey Burger or Easy Chicken Nuggets.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Healthier Than Deep Fried: Once of my favorite things is coming up with healthier versions of fast food favorites, and these crispy baked onions rings totally deliver! They get super crispy in the oven so there’s no need to deep fry them in tons of oil.
- Easy to Make: Just bread the onion rings, give them a quick spritz of oil, and bake. That’s it! No messy oil splatters and no standing over the stove. Mix them with oven baked fries for the perfect at-home diner-style side dish.
- Kid-Approved: My kids are obsessed with these onion rings! If your little ones are hesitant about onions, this recipe is a great place to start. Once they’re hooked, try Crispy Green Bean Fries and Baked Zucchini Slices!
The Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make the best onion rings ever!
- Large Sweet Onion: Opt for Vidalia or Maui onions for this recipe. They get even sweeter and caramelized as they bake!
- Buttermilk: This helps the breadcrumbs stick and gives a slightly tangy flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: These create the crispy, crunchy coating everyone loves. I use plain breadcrumbs (whole wheat if possible), but seasoned breadcrumbs or adding your own spices work great too.
*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the recipe card below.*
Variations and Substitutions
- No Buttermilk? Mix 3/4 cup milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. Plain milk works too. For dairy-free baked onion rings, use unsweetened almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free panko for crispy gluten-free baked onion rings.
- Seasoning Ideas: Add extra flavor to the breadcrumbs by adding 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or Parmesan cheese.
How to Make Crispy Baked Onion Rings
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut onions into 1/2 inch rounds and separate into rings.
- Whisk buttermilk and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Mix breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl. If adding extra seasonings, stir them in here (about 1 teaspoon total).
- Thoroughly submerge the onion rings in the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides completely. Use one hand for the wet mixture and one hand for the dry mixture to avoid soggy, clumpy breadcrumbs. Use a fork to place onion rings on a oil sprayed baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the tops of the onion rings with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve with dipping sauce like ketchup, mayonnaise, or ranch.
Storage & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers: Keep any leftover baked onion rings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 5-10 minutes to help them stay crispy. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep them crunchy.
- To Freeze: After breading, place the onion rings on a cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a labeled Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 4 months. When ready to bake, cook as directed, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time for best results.
Tips & Tricks
For extra crispy onion rings, these are my top tips!
- Coat generously with buttermilk: Make sure each onion ring is fully coated so the breadcrumbs stick and form a crisp, even crust.
- Press the breadcrumbs on firmly: Gently pressing helps the coating adhere and keeps it from falling off while baking.
- Use enough oil spray: A light but thorough spritz helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp without deep frying.
FAQs
Can I make these onion rings in an air fryer?
Yes! Air fry the onion rings in batches at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, making sure they’re in an even layer for perfectly crispy results.
How do I make baked onion rings extra crispy?
This recipe is the perfect answer to the crispiest onion rings. Make sure you fully coat each ring in buttermilk, press the breadcrumbs on firmly, and give them a light spray of oil before baking. Baking at a high temperature (425°F) and giving the rings some space on the pan also helps them brown evenly.
More Crispy, Kid-Friendly Sides
These crispy baked onion rings are easy, crunchy, and totally addictive! Perfect as a side, snack, or anytime treat. Give them a try, and if you make them, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment and leave a rating below!
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Crispy Baked Onion Rings
These crispy baked onion rings are golden, crunchy, and healthier than deep-fried. Easy to make in the oven, they're totally kid-approved and perfect as a snack, appetizer or side.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet, Vidalia or Maui onion
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Cut onions into 1/2 inch rounds and separate into rings.
- Whisk buttermilk and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Mix breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl. If adding extra seasonings, stir them in here (about 1 teaspoon total).
- Thoroughly submerge the onion rings in the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides completely. Use one hand for the wet mixture and one hand for the dry mixture to avoid soggy, clumpy breadcrumbs.
- Use a fork to place onion rings on a oil sprayed baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the tops of the onion rings with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve with dipping sauce like ketchup, mayonnaise, or ranch.
Video
Notes
- To Freeze: After breading, place onion rings on a cookie sheet and freeze for 30 minutes then place in ziploc bags, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, bake as instructed, adding 1-2 minutes to the cook time.
- Coat generously with buttermilk: Make sure each onion ring is fully coated so the breadcrumbs stick and form a crisp, even crust.
- Press the breadcrumbs on firmly: Gently pressing helps the coating adhere and keeps it from falling off while baking.
- Use enough oil spray: A light but thorough spritz helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp without deep frying.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Air fry the onion rings in batches at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, making sure they’re in an even layer for perfectly crispy results.
Nutrition
Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1513mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 2mg
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Thank you so much for the sweet words! Glad to hear these recipes are hits in your house!
These are amazing and “healthier” like all of your recipes. I cook from many blogs and cookbooks and by far your dishes are the best!!! From mexican pulled pork tacos-very berry muffins-turkey pesto meatballs-beef with broccoli-to side dishes you run the gamut of deliciousness!!!
Hi, Great recipe. I was wondering if these could be made non-dairy.
My 8 year old asked if she could try a raw onion off the cutting board last night and loved it! My brain is still trying to wrap itself around that one.
We’ll have to see if Vidalia’s are at our market this weekend.
Thanks for another great recipe.
I made these Onion Rings last night (along with the homemade Chicken Nuggets, which have been a staple in my family’s dinner rotation for several months). My 4 year old had a riot helping. You rock my culinary world Catherine McCord! So easy and delicious.. Keep these amazing recipes coming.
You don’t use egg for the recipe. The onions are dredged in Buttermilk.
I’m looking forward to trying this but I still don’t see the egg in the recipe. How many and what do I need to do with it?
My 2 1/2 year old loved eating “rings”! These were excellent with veggie dogs and napa cabbage slaw.
The crust is more savory than sweet. But then again, once you cook onion, they do get sweeter. I’m so happy your family is getting away from fast food!
Doe the crust have a sweet taste? My daughter loves the crust from sonic’s onion rings and they are really sweet. We are getting away from fast food…slowly.
We fixed the problem! Thanks for letting us know! 🙂
The description says “egg” but there’s no egg in the ingredients list. How many eggs do you use? Thanks.