5.0 from 15 votes
Air Fryer Onion Rings (Homemade)
Enjoy the crunchiest fried onion rings right at home! This easy air fryer recipe has steps to make perfectly crispy onion rings from scratch or frozen.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Marinade Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 394 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- ½ cup egg whites
- Oil spray
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onion into 1/3 to 1/2 inch rings. Gently separate the onion rings and place them in a baking dish (or a large Ziploc bag.) Pour the buttermilk over the onion rings. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours to marinate.
- Once the onions have had plenty of time to soak in the buttermilk, preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Drain the buttermilk off the onion rings. Set out two bowls. In the first bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning. Mix well. In the second bowl, whisk the egg whites until very foamy.
- Working in small batches, dip each onion ring in the egg whites to coat in foam, then dunk in the breading mixture. Make sure the onion rings are mostly coated and set aside. Whip the egg whites as needed when they deflate.
- Place 5 to 8 onion rings in the air fryer basket at a time making sure not to overlap. Spray thoroughly with oil spray.
- Air fry the onion rings for 5 minutes. Then open the basket, flip them over, spray the other side with oil, and continue air frying for another 5 to 7 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Repeat with the remaining batches. Serve warm with favorite dipping sauces.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use any seasoning salt blend you like: Cajun, Adobo, Tajin, Lemon Pepper, Old Bay, or Taco Seasoning.
- Use any seasoning salt blend you like: Cajun, Adobo, Tajin, Lemon Pepper, Old Bay, or Taco Seasoning.
- Can I Make Store-Bought FROZEN Onion Rings in the Air Fryer?
- Of Course! Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, then air fry the frozen onion rings in single layer batches for 6-8 minutes, flipping once in the middle.
- Of Course! Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, then air fry the frozen onion rings in single layer batches for 6-8 minutes, flipping once in the middle.
- Onion rings are best when enjoyed freshly fried, but will keep well in the fridge for a day or two. Then it is easy to reheat them in the air fryer! Cook for 2-4 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition Information
Serving
8rings
Calories
394kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
62g
(21%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Cholesterol
20mg
(7%)
Sodium
360mg
(15%)
Potassium
613mg
(18%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
2022IU
(40%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
265mg
(27%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 394
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 8rings | |
| Calories | 394kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 360mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 613mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 2022IU | 40% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 265mg | 27% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.