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Homemade Onion Rings
4.9 from 132 votes

Homemade Onion Rings

This Homemade Onion Rings recipe features thick-cut sweet onion rings soaked in buttermilk and coated with a seasoned flour mixture before frying. The soaking tenderizes the onions and helps the flour batter adhere for a crispy golden coating. Frying at the right temperature ensures a crunchy exterior while keeping the onion inside soft and sweet. These onion rings are best served right after frying with sauces like fry sauce or ketchup, making them a satisfying snack or side dish to accompany a meal.

Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet onion
  • 2 Cups buttermilk
  • 2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
  • vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Slice onions 1/2 - 1 inch thick and separate the rings.
  2. Add buttermilk to a bowl and add rings. Cover and store in fridge for at least an hour.
  3. In a dutch oven or a large pot add approximately 3 inches deep with oil. Heat to 360 degrees or if you don't have a thermometer, just dip in the handle of a wooden spoon. When the oil bubbles around the handle, it's ready.
  4. Mix flour with salt and pepper in a wide shallow bowl or plate.
  5. With tongs, dredge rings in flour ensuring they are well coated (you can double coat if you want extra batter by dipping back in buttermilk and dredging again) and then add to dutch oven. Be sure to not over crowd rings - fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until rings begin to golden. Watch closely that they do not burn! They'll go from done to burnt quickly.
  6. Remove from oil with tongs, shaking off excess oil and cool on a paper towel lined plate.
  7. Serve immediately with Fry Sauce or Ketchup!

Notes

  • Use buttermilk soaking to tenderize onion rings and improve batter adhesion.
  • Maintain oil temperature at about 360°F; test with wooden spoon handle if no thermometer is available.
  • Fry onion rings in small batches to prevent overcrowding for even crisping.
  • Serve onion rings immediately for best texture; they tend to lose crispness upon standing.
  • Try homemade fry sauce or ketchup recipes for dipping alternatives.