Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Printable)
Golden crunchy onion rings with a zesty spicy mayo, air fried for perfect crispiness.
# What You'll Need:
→ Onion Rings
01 - 2 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - ½ cup whole milk
07 - 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
10 - Olive oil spray
→ Spicy Mayo
11 - ½ cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
14 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - Salt, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Separate the onion slices into individual rings and set aside.
02 - Prepare three shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, salt, and black pepper; Bowl 2 with whisked eggs and milk; Bowl 3 with panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
03 - Coat each onion ring in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, ensuring full coverage, then press into the seasoned panko to adhere evenly.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place coated rings on a tray and spray both sides lightly with olive oil.
05 - Arrange onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, cooking in batches if needed. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
06 - While onion rings cook, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and salt until smooth and well combined.
07 - Serve hot onion rings immediately with spicy mayo on the side for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The air fryer gives you impossibly crisp crunch without gallons of oil or the greasy aftermath
- That spicy mayo hits the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and just enough heat to keep you coming back
- They reheat surprisingly well for leftovers, though they rarely last that long in my house
02 -
- Crowding the air fryer basket is the quickest way to end up with soggy, steamed onion rings instead of crisp ones
- Letting the coated rings sit for about 10 minutes before air frying helps the coating set and reduces the chance of it sliding off during cooking
03 -
- Soak the onion rings in ice water for 15 minutes before breading to mellow their raw bite
- Work with one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to keep your fingers from becoming a breaded mess