Why prepare air fryer onion rings
Cooking onion rings is much cleaner than traditional frying because there is no hot oil splash. It is a faster way to get a crispy texture compared to a standard oven. You can easily control the seasoning to suit your own taste. This method also makes it easy to cook small batches whenever you want a snack.
How to prepare air fryer onion rings
Prepare onions: Peel the onions and cut them into thick rounds about one centimetre wide. Separate the rounds into individual rings and set aside the very small centres for another recipe.
Set up stations: Place the flour in one bowl and mix it with the salt, pepper and paprika. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk. Put the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
Coat rings: Dip each onion ring into the flour first, then the egg mixture and finally the breadcrumbs. Make sure each ring is fully covered in crumbs for the best crunch.
Air fry: Place the rings in the basket in a single layer and spray lightly with oil. Cook at 200C for about ten minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
Tips and tricks for air fryer onion rings
Do not overcrowd the basket when you cook your onion rings. If the rings overlap, they will not get crispy all the way around. It is better to cook them in two or three batches to ensure the air can circulate freely. You can add different spices like garlic powder or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for more flavour.
Always check the rings halfway through and give them a quick shake or turn them over. If they look dry, add another small spray of oil to help them brown. Serve them immediately while they are at their crunchiest.
You can find more inspiration in
air fryer pizza pinwheels,
air fryer duck breast or
air fryer waffles.
