This post may contain affiliate links.Please read our disclosure policy.
Air Fryer Onion Rings are extra crispy and make a perfect game day snack or party appetizer. Perfectly seasoned, easy to make, and so delicious! Ditch the deep fryer in favor of this quick Air Fryer recipe!
Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings are perfectly seasoned, dipped in batter, dredged in panko breadcrumbs and then cooked to crispy-perfection in the Air Fryer! These faux-fried onion rings are tender on the inside and so crisp on the outside, just how we love them. They make a great healthier but so delicious snack or side dish. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce for the perfect party appetizer or game day snack!
We love making our favorite game day snacks in the Air Fryer like Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Air Fryer French Fries. Compared to deep frying you save a lot of oil, have a lot less mess to clean up, and save a good amount of calories. You only need a few tablespoons of oil to get similar results in the Air Fryer, which makes eating onion rings made in the Air Fryer a better-for-you choice than eating onion rings that have been deep fried.
My husband loves onion rings and orders them whenever we go out. He was amazed by how similar my homemade version tastes and how simple it is to make them. So if you’re craving Onion Rings you have to try this easy recipe!
Tips and Tricks for Making The BEST Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Using panko breadcrumbs makes these Onion Rings extra crispy!
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs you could also use normal breadcrumbs but the result might not be as crispy.
- Divide the panko breadcrumb mixture in two. The battered rings will make the mixture sticky so it’s best to half it so you can switch to the second part of the dry mixture after the first part is sticky.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make your own by adding 1 Tbsp of vinegar or lemon/lime juice to a ½ cup of milk.
- Instead of paprika, you can also add your favorite spices like a bit of garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or chili.
- Place them in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket! You can put small onion rings in the bigger rings as long as they don’t touch each other. My Air Fryer comes with an additional rack so I can add a second layer, this way I can fry a whole onion at once even though my Air Fryer is quite small.
- The cook time depends on your Air Fryer model. The onion rings take about 12-15 minutes but some models run hotter or colder so keep an eye on your first batch.
- Spraying the onion rings with cooking oil spray after half the cook time is over makes them extra crispy and browner.
- You don’t need to turn the onion rings during the cooking process! It’s just not necessary, they will get perfectly crispy on both sides.
- Depending on your Air Fryer model you might have to preheat it. Mine doesn’t require preheating!
How thick to slice Onion Rings?
I cut them into 1/2-inch thick slices and then separate them into rings.
Which Onions are Best for making Onion Rings?
Sweet onions like Vidalia, Texas, Maui, or Walla Walla are best for Onion Rings since they’re sweet and usually flatter than other onions. They don’t have that sharp and pungent taste that other onions have.
How long to cook Onion Rings in an Air Fryer?
Depending on your Air Fryer model about 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown.
Julia recommends for this Air Fryer recipe:
Air Fryer: This is the model I own. I really like it and would recommend it for smaller families. It came with a rack which doubles the space in the basket. Before buying this model I had the older XL Air Fryer which was bigger but took a lot more space to store.
Air Fryer Oven: This oven is on my wishlist! I saw it at Costco and it has great reviews. It has a lot more functions then an Air Fryer!
Want to try this Air Fried Onion Rings recipe?
PIN IT TO YOUR SNACK BOARD TO SAVE IT OR SHARE ON FACEBOOK!
Follow Plated Cravings on Pinterest for more great recipes!
[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook, Pinterest”]
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, see tips above for making your own
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow sweet onion, sliced 1/2-inch thick and separated into rings
- Oil Spray, optional
Instructions
- You need 4 shallow bowls or deep plates. In the first one combine flour, paprika, and ½ tsp salt. In the second combine buttermilk (or milk and vinegar/lemon juice) and egg, then add ¼ cup of the flour mixture from the first bowl. In the third combine panko breadcrumbs, ½ tsp salt and olive oil with a fork, until the oil is evenly distributed. Put half of the panko in a fourth bowl so you can switch to the second part after the first got sticky.
- Pat dry the onion rings with paper towels to remove excessive moisture. Using a fork, dredge the onion rings in the flour mixture, drop them in the buttermilk mixture and then dredge them in the panko mixture. (TIP: Freeze the breaded onion rings for 15 minutes on a baking sheet, this helps the panko mixture to stick better.)
- Spray Air Fryer Basket with oil spray. Place onion rings in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket. You can place smaller rings inside bigger rings if necessary, just make sure there is space between them.
- Cook at 400°F until golden brown and crispy, about 11-15 minutes. Spray with some cooking spray after about 6 minutes. You don't need to turn the onion rings.
- Carefully lift out the onion rings with a cookie spatula or fork and serve.
Notes
- Make sure to use sweet onions for this recipe! White and yellow onions don't work well with the breading.
- This recipe is messy but well worth the effort. Read all my tips before starting!
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs you could also use normal breadcrumbs but the result might not be as crispy.
- Divide the panko breadcrumb mixture in two so you can switch to the second batch after the first gets sticky.
- Use a fork and not your hands to coat the onion rings.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make your own by adding 1 Tbsp of vinegar or lemon/lime juice to a ½ cup of milk.
- The cook time depends on your Air Fryer model. Keep an eye on them!
- You don’t need to turn the onion rings during the cooking process! Don't shake the basket or the breading will fall off!
- Be careful when lifting the onion rings out of the basket! I recommend using a cookie spatula or fork to lift them out.
Nutrition
NEVER MISS A RECIPE!
PINTEREST / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER
If you’ve tried this or any other of my recipes, don’t forget to rate the recipe and to leave me a comment. I love hearing from you!
Not even 10 mins and they burnt up
That’s why the recipe notes say: “The cook time depends on your Air Fryer model. Keep an eye on them!” I’m not sure which Air Fryer you are using, some cook a lot faster and uneven than others.
Made these tonight in my air fryer and they were awesome! Definitely messy but worth it.
I haven’t tried making these yet but I am disappointed before even getting started because the tag line for this recipe was “Flourless” Onion Rings. I am diabetic and have to watch my carbs. The thought of making these in my air fryer was something I was looking forward to, until I read the recipe and saw that you have 1/2 cup all purpose flour in it. Can I substitute anything for the flour (maybe almond flour)? The panko will also add carbs but I might be able to sub something else, like crushed pork rinds. It would give the onion rings a different flavor, but I’m willing to try. Any suggestions to lower the carbs?
I’m not sure where you read flourless, I nowhere claim that this recipe is made without flour, so I’m a bit confused. I don’t have any experience with lowering the carbs of this recipe, so I sadly can’t help, sorry.
your recipe is linked in an article as flourless.
Gormandize
29 Lightened-up snacks you can make in the airfryer by Stephanie H.
Your recipe looks like it would be great.
Total failure as first flour would not stick the panko would not stick. The little coating burnt a little and onions where not cooked after 13 minutes. Will not try it again. Back to oil frying with beer batter.
Sorry, this recipe did not work for you, John. I’m not sure why the flour would not stick to the onions, I never had this problem. Also, the onions should definitely be cooked after 13 minutes, not sure why your Air fryer would burn the coating but not cook the onions.
I haven’t had onion rings in years since I had to go gluten free. This recipe was awsome! I substituted regular flour for gluten free flour (Robinhood brand) and made my own panko crumbs from gluten free chex cereal. The only time I had trouble with the batter sticking was at the end when both batches of the chex crumbs got too battery. I was more successful with handling them with a fork than using my fingers. Added some onion powder and garlic powder to the mix.
I made the Onion ring they turned out Awesome and delicious. My coatings stuck very well. I really don’t understand what others were saying about getting coating to stick.Mine had no issues. They turned out delicious and coated nicely. They must of measured poorly. I followed directions and they turned out very wonderful. Thank for the recipe. Will be making again.
Loved the flavor. HATE the execution. I followed it to the T and the panko simply wouldn’t stick to the rings.
I just bought my air fryer and haven’t tried anything yet. I’m looking for a recipe for onion rings. On other sites I found a recommendation to freeze them on a plate for 15 minutes after breading. This is supposed to make the breading stick to the onion rings. I wasn’t sure from your comment when the breading fell off. If it was immediately and not during cooking, this wouldn’t help.
I agree with the ‘freezing’ for ~15 minutes; it DOES help the batter & Panko to stick – very much so. The bigger problem is getting the dredge the best consistency & using onions that dont have that slick skin on the inside of the rings. (Nothing will stick with that on.) Also, does anyone have the recipe for [ Kroger Panko Breaded Onion Rings – Salt & Cracked Black Pepper – 16oz, in the green bag ]? THEY ARE DELICIOUS!
Thanks, Charles, Atlanta, GA
Really tasty, my first time trying out my new Kitchenaid airfryer. Thank you
Made the air fryer onion rings today. They were fantastic. Loved the crunch. Next time I will use regular bread crumbs just to see the difference. I could have used more Panko breadcrums. I had extra onions, and all the bowls of ingredients. Next time I will probably double the amount of breadcrums. Thank you for the recipe. It is a keeper.
Julia- Made your onion rings last night. Not a good experience! Followed everything to the letter as you suggested. Even had my husband check what I had done (he’s an excellent chief) It was very difficult to coat the onions with each of the bowls of ingredients. Just wouldn’t stick! Finally, managed to get a little crumbs, etc. on the onions and air fried them. I must say, they were tasty, but they just weren’t coated enough. They also looks awful! What’s the secret to onion rings that look as good as the ones featured in your recipe?
Sorry, this was not a good experience for you, Mady! I’m really not sure why some readers have problems with making the coating stick. I wish I could pinpoint the problem and offer some kind of explanation but I never had this problem. There is no secret to making them look like mine, the recipe is exactly how I make them – I shared all my tricks and tips in the post.