Crispy Onion Rings Air Fryer (Printer-Friendly)

Golden, crunchy air-fried onion rings served with a creamy garlic aioli, perfect as a shareable appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Olive oil spray

→ Garlic Aioli Dip

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and set aside.
03 - Arrange three bowls for the breading process. In Bowl 1, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In Bowl 2, whisk eggs with buttermilk until well blended. In Bowl 3, mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika.
04 - Dredge each onion ring first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres properly.
05 - Place coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Lightly spray with olive oil to promote crispness.
06 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
07 - While the onion rings cook, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
08 - Transfer hot crispy onion rings to a serving platter and serve immediately with garlic aioli dip alongside.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The crunch stays intact for actual minutes instead of turning soggy the moment it cools.
  • You get that indulgent fried food taste without the splatter, smell, and guilt that comes with a pot of hot oil.
  • Homemade aioli tastes so much better than bottled ranch, and it takes literally five minutes to whisk together.
02 -
  • Don't skip the buttermilk—water-based coating mixtures create texture that's more craggy and golden than anything else, and it's what separates good onion rings from forgettable ones.
  • Oil spray amount actually matters; too little and they don't brown properly, but too much and the coating gets heavy and greasy instead of crispy.
03 -
  • Don't let coated rings sit around—they get soggy as the buttermilk soaks in, so bread them right before air frying for maximum crunch.
  • If you're making multiple batches, keep finished rings warm in a 200°F oven while you cook the others so everything arrives at the table hot and crispy.
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