Air Fryer Onion Rings
Shatteringly crisp battered rings with far less oil.
Before You Start
Crunchy onion rings without a pan of hot oil. A seasoned flour and panko coat crisps up golden in the air fryer, giving you that satisfying shatter around sweet, softened onion. Great for burgers or dunking.
Instructions
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Slice the onions 1.5 cm thick and separate into rings.
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Season the flour with paprika, garlic powder and salt. Set up flour, beaten egg, and panko in three bowls.
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Dip each ring in flour, then egg, then press into the panko. For a thicker coat, repeat egg and panko.
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Preheat the air fryer to 200°C / 400°F. Spray the rings with oil and lay in a single layer.
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Air fry for 10 to 13 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
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Serve hot with burger sauce or ketchup.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 200°C / 400°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- Spray with oil before cooking. It's what turns the panko golden and crunchy.
- Use the larger outer rings and save the small centres for cooking. They're easier to coat.
🔀 Make it your own
- Add a little cayenne to the flour for spicy rings.
- Use buttermilk instead of egg for a tangy batter.
📦 Storing & reheating
Best fresh. Re-crisp leftovers at 190°C for 3 to 4 minutes.
❓ Frequently asked
Why is the coating falling off?
The rings were probably wet, or skipped the flour step. Pat the onion dry and coat flour, then egg, then panko so each layer grips.
Can I make them ahead?
Bread them and chill for a few hours, then air fry to order. They're best eaten straight after cooking.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
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A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.