• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Served From Scratch
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Accessibility

Home » Appetizers » Homemade Onion Rings

Homemade Onion Rings

July 28, 2017 by Tracy | Updated May 3, 2021 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

29595 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
an overhead of a plate of onion ringsa plate of onion rings and a hand dipping onion ring in sauce with Pinterest pin text.
cooked crispy onion rings from scratch on a plate
a plate of onion rings and a hand dipping onion ring in sauce with Pinterest pin text.

Crispy Homemade Onion Rings are the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to any burger or sandwich!

a plate of crispy onion rings.

In this household we eat really a well and balanced diet and we don't eat a ton of foods with refined sugar and sweets, mainly because I have a salt tooth vs. a sweet tooth. So because of that, there are a couple of things that I am completely weak to.  And by weak I mean inevitable face stuffing will occur.  Those two weaknesses:  #1 Tater Tots. #2: These Homemade Onion Rings.   

Now we love a good French Fry, don't get me wrong. But if given a choice, what crispy, crunchy side do we want with our burgers? What salty oniony snacky do we want while watching some football? The winner will always be onion rings.

Recipe Video


Ingredients Needed

flour, onions, salt, pepper, buttermilk on counter.

We love that for these guys we usually always have everything on hand:

  • All purpose flour - You could also use bread flour if your in a pinch and that's all you have. Or if you happen to have it, rice flour works great too! It's what's usually used for tempura batter, but you'll get a thinner crust.
  • Onions - For this we prefer big yellow onions, like Walla Walla Sweet Onions. White onions would work great too, but I definitely wouldn't recommend using red onions.
  • Buttermilk - No buttermilk? No problem! Did you know you can make your own?!
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Oil for Frying - You want to make sure to use a higher smoke point oil like vegetable or canola oil, but also have a neutral flavor. If you use another oil with a high smoke point like sesame, corn, or coconut, those are going to flavor your onion rings.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sliced onions soaking in buttermilk.

Step 1: Slice your onions and then let them soak in the buttermilk for about an hour. This is important because this is what helps allow the coating to stick to the onions!

Step 2: Prep your oil in a deep pot or dutch oven by adding oil about 3 inches deep and heat over medium / medium high until it's 360 degrees.

Tip: We love our instant read thermometer for checking the oil temp, but you can also check by using the end of a wooden spoon. Dip it into the oil, and if the oil bubbles around it, your oil is ready!

Step 3: Add your flour to a shallow dish or plate and dredge your soaked onions through it and drop 'em in hot oil to fry.

Tip: You'll definitely want to do this in batches because you don't want to overcrowd the pot.

Step 4: On a paper towel lined plate, remove fried rings and finish with all of the remaining onions.

a plate of crispy onion rings.

Fried to crispy perfection!

Our Favorite Dipping Sauces!

Now that you have your perfect crispy Homemade Onion Rings, what are you dipping 'em in? Here are some of our favorite homemade condiments and dipping sauces.

5 Minute Homemade Ketchup

Mayonnaise From Scratch

Fry Sauce From Scratch - A mayo / ketchup dipping sauce love child!

Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Dijon Mustard

crispy onion ring dipped in a bowl of fry sauce.

Our personally favorite is our Fry Sauce!

Ahhh Homemade Onion Rings. There's something even more satisfying about a treat that's made from scratch, you know?  Yes, it takes more time and more effort, but I liken it to when you grow your own vegetables.  Is there anything better than eating a fresh off the vine tomato that you grew yourself? Nope.  Well, except for a freshly fried from scratch onion ring dunked in a from scratch fry sauce!

a plate of crispy onion rings.

I might have eaten all of these onion rings for dinner.  With a beer.  It's been a long week - and really, if you think about it, it had everything I needed, right?  Vegetables and carbs - I'm good!   Plus, with all of the salads and other healthy snacks we make, Homemade Onion Rings for dinner every once in awhile is finnneee.  Balance, friends.  Balance.

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

baked crispy onion rings from scratch on a plate

Homemade Onion Rings

Crispy Homemade Onion Rings are the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to any burger or sandwich!
4.67 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • or Thermometer
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 2 Sweet onions
  • 2 Cups Buttermilk*
  • 2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying

Instructions

  • Slice onions 1/2 - 1 inch thick and separate the rings.
  • Add buttermilk to a bowl and add rings. Cover and store in fridge for at least an hour.
  • In a dutch oven or a large pot add approximately 3 inches deep with oil. Heat to 360 degrees or if you don't have a thermometer, just dip in the handle of a wooden spoon. When the oil bubbles around the handle, it's ready.
  • Mix flour with salt and pepper in a wide shallow bowl or plate.
  • With tongs, dredge rings in flour ensuring they are well coated (you can double coat if you want extra batter by dipping back in buttermilk and dredging again) and then add to dutch oven. Be sure to not over crowd rings - fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until rings begin to golden. Watch closely that they do not burn! They'll go from done to burnt quickly.
  • Remove from oil with tongs, shaking off excess oil and cool on a paper towel lined plate.
  • Serve immediately with Fry Sauce or Ketchup!

Notes

Make your own Buttermilk! http://www.servedfromscratch.com/5-minute-homemade-buttermilk/
Make your own Fry Sauce or Ketchup! http://www.servedfromscratch.com/fry-sauce-from-scratch/
http://www.servedfromscratch.com/5-minute-homemade-ketchup/
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @ServedFromScratch or use #ServedFromScratch!

Did you like this recipe? Sign up to get new recipes weekly!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

« 5 Minute Homemade Buttermilk
Easy Garlic Rosemary Focaccia »
29595 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Yummly
  • Mix

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mark Trealout

    December 15, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    too easy. too delicious. very good recipe

    Reply
    • Tracy

      December 16, 2021 at 5:18 am

      Too kind, Mark! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply
  2. Alex

    August 31, 2020 at 9:28 am

    So maybe I've misunderstood the recipe, but are you not making a batter to dip the onions in before frying? Are you just covering them in flour and then frying them? Does that work? I've always made a batter, but interested in new ways!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      August 31, 2020 at 10:12 pm

      Hi Alex! You're not really making a batter, you're soaking the onions in the buttermilk and then dredging in the flour and then frying (you can also dip back in buttermilk and then dredge again in flour a 2nd time).

      Reply
  3. Linda Hicks

    July 06, 2020 at 8:16 am

    Hi, Do you have any suggestions for using this recipe in an air fryer?
    Thank You

    Reply
  4. Bryan

    May 21, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    These are amazing. I was craving onion rings and gave these a try. Seriously last meal good. Bookmarked, printed, told all my friends and family.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      May 22, 2020 at 6:47 am

      Bryan! Wow SO great to hear that you love them as much as we do!! Thank you so much for letting me know.

      Reply
  5. Kim

    April 26, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    These onion rings are soooo yummy! Crispy on the outside and soft onions on the inside. They were very easy to make. We will make these onion rings again and again.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      April 26, 2020 at 8:31 pm

      SO glad you liked it, Kim!! It's on our regular rotation, too!

      Reply
  6. Mary Perry

    April 10, 2020 at 11:25 am

    I have been making these for years since moving from New England states, restaurants only serve over breaded onion rings, these are quick to make and quickly disappear. I soak at night for next day I normally use milk, just as good,

    Reply
    • Tracy

      April 10, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      Oh great tips, Mary!!

      Reply
  7. Tim

    March 15, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    1 star
    Batter didn't stick!A mess!

    Reply
  8. Karl

    November 17, 2019 at 2:19 pm

    5 stars
    For an even better result, try cake flour. It's more like real Tempura and will work with other veggies too!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      November 17, 2019 at 8:35 pm

      Oooh great tip, Karl!! Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Stephanie

    July 31, 2019 at 8:10 am

    5 stars
    These come out PERFECT and SUPER CRISPY every time! Thank you for this recipe, it's a keeper!

    Reply
  10. Dana

    February 17, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    5 stars
    These are seriously way WAY better than any restaurant-made onion rings I've ever had. They're crispy, and despite the fact that they're still fried, they don't taste like greasy and they don't feel as grease-heavy. I'm a big fan of dippin' my crispy rings too, and the fry sauce was a perfect addition.

    Reply
    • Tracy

      February 17, 2019 at 12:59 pm

      That's SO great to hear, Dana! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  11. Angela

    January 24, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    I've always been too intimidated to try homemade onion rings, but these look so delicious I'm going to have to give them a try. YUM!

    Reply
  12. Chef Mireille

    January 24, 2019 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    these look so crispy and crunchy - better looking than any restaurant onion rings I've ever seen - Wow - fantastic job on these!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 29, 2019 at 8:39 am

      Thanks Chef Mireille!

      Reply
  13. Jillian

    January 24, 2019 at 6:33 pm

    5 stars
    These are just in time for Game Day! With the 'made from scratch' fry sauce, these will not last long - guaranteed!

    Reply
    • Tracy

      January 29, 2019 at 8:40 am

      They never do!

      Reply
  14. Luci

    January 24, 2019 at 6:27 pm

    5 stars
    This looks like a very delicious recipe for onion rings. Will have to try soon.

    Reply
  15. Sharon

    January 24, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love the idea of making crispy onion rings right at home. This recipe looks so easy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Tracy!

I'm here to help take the fear out of from scratch, whole foods cooking & share easy to make, approachable recipes that you can get excited about making! Read More…

Let's Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Summer Recipes

a bowl of pineapple, watermelon, and mint.

Pineapple Melon Mint Salad

a large open jar of pickles.

Bread and Butter Pickles

https://www.servedfromscratch.com/mayonnaise-from-scratch/

Mexican Street Corn Salad

overhead of a bowl of green pasta salad

Avocado Pasta Salad

a plate of halved tomatoes with melted cheese on a plate.

Grilled Parmesan Garlic Tomatoes

cut watermelon in a blue bowl with mint

Watermelon Vodka Mint Salad

More Summer Recipes

Most Popular Recipes

a bowl of sauteed spinach and mushrooms

Balsamic Spinach and Mushrooms

cauliflower shrimp fried rice in a large saute pan cooked

Cauliflower Shrimp Fried "Rice"

green bean casserole with a spoon scooping some out.

Fresh Green Bean Casserole From Scratch

3 stacked egg cups with spinach

Spinach and Feta Egg Cups

Cream Cheese From Scratch

a stack of thin cookies.

Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies

More Popular Recipes

Get My From Scratch Starter Pack!

Ready to do more (or start!) cooking From Scratch?  Sign up to get my Strater Pack of and new recipes weekly! 

Check your email to get started!

Snacks

a plate of baked chicken nuggets on a plate next to ketchup.

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

a bowl of corn nuts with some spilled.

Healthier Homemade Corn Nuts

a bowl of crispy crackers with everything bagel toppings.

Everything Bagel Rye Crackers

a plate of pumpkin shaped bliss balls.

Cashew "Pumpkin" Bliss Balls

a kid's hand holding a fudgesicle.

Nutella Fudgesicles

a small hand holding a strawberry popsicle.

Strawberry Chia Seed Popsicles

More Snack Recipes

Categories

Search

Footer

Copyright © 2022 · Served from Scratch

29595 shares