Description

This recipe provides an easy guide to making crispy, restaurant-quality onion rings at home. Featuring a unique batter with herbs and sparkling water, it’s a family-friendly treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large yellow onions
2 cups all-purpose flour, (For a gluten-free onion ring batter recipe, use a reliable gluten-free flour blend.)
0.25 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder, (Always use fresh baking powder; expired powder won’t provide the desired lift.)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried mint
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 large egg
1 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
6 cups neutral vegetable oil, (e.g., sunflower, canola)
1 teaspoon sumac, for dusting
2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Prep the Onions: Peel your onions and slice them into 1 cm (3/8 inch) thick rings. Gently separate the individual rings and set aside.
Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano, dried mint, and lemon zest until uniformly distributed.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the large egg until lightly beaten. Gradually add the cold sparkling water or club soda, whisking just until combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet egg mixture into the dry flour mixture. Whisk gently until just combined (a few small lumps are acceptable). If batter seems too runny, gently stir in 1-2 extra tablespoons of flour.
Heat the Oil: In a sturdy, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, pour 6 cups of neutral vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 175C (350F).
Batter and Fry: Working in small batches, dip each onion ring fully into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully lower coated rings into the hot oil.
Cook Until Golden: Fry for 3-5 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until golden-brown and crispy. Adjust heat to maintain 175C (350F).
Drain and Season: Transfer fried onion rings to a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Lightly season with a pinch of extra salt, if desired, while still warm.
Plating & Visual Styling: Arrange onion rings on a plate. Dust generously with sumac and scatter finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish.

Notes

Never overcrowd the pan to avoid lowering oil temperature and greasy rings. Ensure oil is hot enough (175C / 350F) using a thermometer. Pat onion slices completely dry before dipping for better batter adhesion. For gluten-free, use a reliable gluten-free flour blend. Use fresh baking powder for desired lift.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Deep Frying
Cuisine: American (with Mediterranean influence)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe (approx. 5-7 rings)
Calories: 400 calories
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 400 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg

Keywords: crispy onion rings, homemade, easy recipe, deep fried, appetizer, side dish, party food, savory snack, Mediterranean herbs