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These crispy fried onion rings are so easy to make at home. If you love homestyle onion rings you get at a diner, this recipe is a must try! The onion rings are thick, crispy and amazing.

plate of onion rings
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We call these the “good ” onion rings! If you grew up eating the really thick crispy onion rings, you know what I am talking about. Oh my they are delicious!

There are only a few restaurants that I can buy these type of onion rings. I don’t like those small frozen ones. Once you have had these amazing thick cut onion rings, nothing else will do!

One day I decided to make some at home and I was really impressed with how great they turned out. We have been making them ever since. Today, I’m going to show you how to make onion rings at home.

You may even like these Fried Zucchini Recipe. You may even like to serve this Side with Philly Cheesesteak.

plate of onion rings

My kids loved them and said they tasted just like the ones at the diner. Score for mom! Plus, I saved a bunch of money.

I can’t wait for you to try these homemade onion rings. They are so good.

ingredients for onion rings- onions, egg, milk, flour, bread crumbs

Ingredients:

  • Onion – I like to use a large onion so I can have nice big slices. I normally slice into 1/2″ thick slices.
  • Flour
  • Large Eggs
  • Milk
  • Panko Bread Crumbs
  • Vegetable Oil For Frying

plate of onion rings with ketchup

How to make Fried onion rings:

First, get out 3 small bowls. Put flour in one bowl, eggs and milk in another bowl and the bread crumbs in a third bowl.

Note: If you do not care for the strong taste of onions and want to make them sweeter, soak them in ice water before making the onion rings.

Second, take the sliced yellow onions and dip in flour, then the egg and milk mixture and finally the panko breadcrumbs. Set aside until you are ready to fry. Keep repeating this process until all of the onions have been coated in all 3 bowls.

3 bowls for dipping onion rings before frying

Next, add the oil to a small saucepan. I normally put about 2″ of oil in the pan. You will need to heat this up over medium heat until it has reached 375 degrees.

Once the oil is hot, start putting the onions in the pan. Fry on each side until they are golden brown. It does not take long. Normally about 2 to 3 minutes per side will do it.

onion rings in oil cooking

After they are finished cooking, put the onion rings on a plate with a paper towel. This will help to drain any excess grease. Add salt if you prefer.

Dipping ideas:

How to Store Onion Rings

Keep onion rings in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Onion rings, will get soggy so you will have to crisp them up when you reheat them.

Separating the onion rings with paper towels helps to soak up any excess moisture.

How to Reheat Onion Rings

The best way to reheat onion rings is in the oven. Place the onion rings on a parchment paper-lined baking tray.

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they are to your desired crispness.

pile of onion rings on plate

What are the Best Onions for Onion Rings?

You can use white or yellow onions. However, I believe yellow onions are the best for onion rings. Yellow onions are a milder flavor, but white onions seems to hold up better.

Why soak onions in ice water before making onion rings?

This is optional but some people like to take this extra step. Soaking the onion in water will help to reduce the strong onion taste in homemade onion rings. It can also make the onion sweeter.

You do not have to do this and it is based on preference.

pile of onion rings on plate

What is the best oil for frying?

Vegetable or Canola oil is best for frying. Both of these have a high smoke point which is beneficial when frying at high heats.

For example, you would not want to use an oil such as olive oil because it has a low smoke point and could cause the food to taste burnt and create a bunch of smoke while cooking.

onion ring dipped in ketchup

Variations to try:

This is a great base recipe. We absolutely love it.

If you want to add seasoning to the egg mixture to change up the flavor of these deep fried onion rings, it is very easy to do.

Some ideas include: Italian seasoning, garlic salt or garlic powder and Cajun seasoning. Any of these would be great mixed into this egg mixture.

Homemade Fried Onion Rings Recipe

4.96 from 126 votes
These crispy fried onion rings are so easy to make at home. If you love homestyle onion rings you get at a diner, this recipe is a must try!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 354

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • You will need 3 small bowls. Place flour in one bowl, eggs and milk in a second bowl (beat them together) and then the Panko crumbs in a third bowl.
  • Coat the sliced onions in the flour, then in the egg mixture and then in the bread crumb mixture. Place on a separate plate until ready to air fry.
  • Continue to do this until all of the onions have been coated.
  • Add oil to a small saucepan. You’ll need about 2? of oil. Heat on medium heat until it has reached a temperature of 375 degrees F.
  • Place the coated onions in the oil and fry on each side until the pickles are golden brown. I cooked mine for approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
  • Then transfer the fried onion rings to a plate lined with a paper towel. Allow them to cool (they will be hot). You can top them with salt to keep them crisp at this time.
  • Then serve with your favorite dipping sauce. I served mine with ranch. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Calories 354kcal, Carbohydrates 54g, Protein 15g, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 170mg, Sodium 311mg, Potassium 314mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 8g, Vitamin A 338IU, Vitamin C 4mg, Calcium 166mg, Iron 4mg

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Homemade Fried Onion Rings will be a huge hit appetizer that you will want to make again and again! These homemade onion rings with an easy batter are simple to make and delicious too! You will love this easy onion ring recipe! #eatingonadime #appetizerrecipes #homemadeonionrings

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.96 from 126 votes (85 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Richard Philabaum says:

    I’m off the chart with this question. Back in my day and being a sailor we use to have the pleasure of enjoying deep fried carrots. Does anyone have a recipe they would be willing to release.

  2. Richard Philabaum says:

    In sentence 5 you refer to pickles and not onion. Do you have a recipe for fried pickles.

  3. Carrie Barnard says:

    I do not.

  4. Jennifer says:

    Do you need to let them dry if soak in cold water before flour?

  5. falah liggett says:

    5 stars
    tried making homeadde but easier to cheat with frozen. just like ketchup to dip. ty hopin to win. ty

  6. Brenda Hayes says:

    I will be making these tonight. Sounds so good and I can control the sodium. Our favorite dipping sauce is Ketchup. I saw the link to homemade ketchup. I’m going to try it as well.

  7. Sandra Petty says:

    5 stars
    I have not made homemade fried onion rings before, but this recipe looks so easy and delicious I am going to do it. Thanks!

  8. Tonya says:

    I tried once.. not very successful unfortunately. My poor dog would not even eat them? We like ours with Ranch & Frank’s Hot Sauce

    Tonya

  9. Becky says:

    5 stars
    Yes these look delicious I use Ranch

  10. Kristy Flick says:

    4 stars
    I use a combo of dips to suit everyone’s taste. Ketchup mixed with ranch or sour cream is a good one.

  11. Kim Johnasen says:

    5 stars
    Thank you Carrie for this wonderful, simple, easy Homemade Onion rings. My family LOVES Onion ring’s alot. You make it so easy. We definitely are making some onion rings tonight.

  12. Tammy says:

    5 stars
    This recipe sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it. I dip my onion rings in honey mustard.

  13. Megan C. says:

    5 stars
    These are amazing and a crowd pleaser! We are definitely a ketchup and ranch dipping sauce family!

  14. Crystal Condon says:

    5 stars
    This sounds awesome. I have tried flour on my onion rings. Wasn’t great . This sounds better. Sometimes I dip them in barbq sauce.

  15. Lori says:

    I love onion rings but I’ve never tried to make them. This would be fun for watching football games.

  16. Carrie Barnard says:

    I get that. The double dipping keeps the breading on. and try not to touch the onion rings while they are frying and that will help.

  17. Betsy Burns says:

    I have made onion rings several times but I don’t dip them in anything. I want to just taste the onion rings that I took the time to make.

  18. Michele reed says:

    Yes I have made homemade onion they turn out pretty good and the sauce is like a fry sauce so I do mayonnaise ketchup relish some vinegar and a little bit of sugar

  19. Kara says:

    I have not tried homemade ones yet but it’s on my list now! We usually dip in mustard or fry sauce.

  20. Vicki Kirkpatrick says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe. Different than the one I used. Looks better than mine.
    I have tried making them but wasn’t good

  21. Jen S says:

    I’m going to make these for the football games this weekend. I like dipping mine in ranch dressing.

  22. Christine Metzinger says:

    I always have a problem with the breading falling off the onion rings while frying. I like to use Chik-fil-A sauce to dip in.

  23. Mary Ann says:

    4 stars
    I love onion rings with ketchup! I like to add a little cajun seasoning to them too.

  24. Vicki Kirkpatrick says:

    I have made onion rings before but didn’t turn out very good. I’m going to use this recipe. It’s different than the one I use. Can’t wait to try it!!

  25. Carole Ralph says:

    I don’t usually dip my onion rings . but , when I do I use ranch dip. As for air frying , I have not done much with my air fryer yet , but may give this a try .

  26. Marilyn Watson says:

    I make homemade onion rings alot. I don’t make a sauce for them. I also put them on burgers

  27. Tammy Kubitz says:

    5 stars
    I would dip them in Polynesian sauce

  28. Sharon says:

    I haven’t ever made homemade onion rings. These sound scrumptious! Gonna have to give ’em a try!

  29. Kathy Richard says:

    5 stars
    These are very crispy and delicious. I’ve done my own version kinda like this recipe but I used corn flakes in with my garlic flavor bread crumbs I also put garlic powder with a little salt and pepper. I never heard of using milk in it till now. I made this just a few minutes ago ? so yummy. I’m going to have to make more that for sure.

  30. Denise says:

    5 stars
    I have tried to make onion rings but failed and what a mess. This looks much better and will try it out.

    I like honey mustard dipping for my onion rings.

  31. ted silverman says:

    Have you tried making fried onion rings? Not in a long time but I will have to try this.

  32. Sandy Brese says:

    5 stars
    Yummy and not complicated! Agreed, yellow onions make the best rings too.

  33. Stephenie says:

    5 stars
    I’m excited to try to make onion rings for the first time. I like to do then in ketchup. 🙂

  34. Stacey Herrin says:

    5 stars
    These sound delicious! I do love homemade onion rings so I gave this a try! Just like my favorite restaurant. If the item is delicious, I never add condiments!

  35. Sarah says:

    Definitely like the Chic-fil-a sauce as a dip!

  36. Eric Olson says:

    5 stars
    These rings turned out great! I used canola oil instead of vegetable oil.
    They were crispy and delicious! I make a dip out of mayo and horseradish, about a 3 to 1
    mixture. Love it!

  37. Tammi Gloden says:

    5 stars
    Recipe always seemed intimidating. I like NO sauce !!

  38. Deborah Forti says:

    5 stars
    I made these and they were excellent!!

  39. Jennifer H says:

    About 30 years ago, I tried making onion rings.
    In the end, they ended up with very little batter, and weren’t crisp, or well seasoned.
    I decided I would never make them
    Again , but after reading your post, I just might give it another try !

  40. Carol G says:

    5 stars
    I serve fried onion rings with Outbacks copykat Bloomin Onion sauce.

  41. Nicole says:

    5 stars
    I have not made homemade onion rings before but this recipe makes it look easy. I would probably dip these onion rings in chick fil a sauce or just plain ketchup

  42. Patty says:

    I used to make homemade onion rings all the time. That was a long time ago though. I like the added breadcrumbs to this recipe. Will definitely try these.

    I dipped them in ketchup.

  43. Patricia says:

    5 stars
    Have you ever made these before?
    I have never made these before so I am hoping these turn out as good as they look.
    We don’t like frozen onion rings either

  44. Tammy says:

    5 stars
    Never made homemade onion rings but I recently got a deep fryer so I would like to try. And the sauce I use is ketchup.

  45. Sandi says:

    5 stars
    I have never tried to make onion rings. I’m going to try this recipe. Ranch is my favorite dipping sauce.

  46. Kim says:

    4 stars
    Always had trouble making onion rings. I’m hoping this is a winner! I do not dip onion rings and any sauce.

  47. Denise says:

    5 stars
    These are so easy to make & turn out delicious! I added garlic powder to the egg mixture & it was really good. Served it with a side of ranch & ketchup. Sometimes I use tartar sauce, too! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

  48. Donna Wharton says:

    5 stars
    That looks like the recipe I use and turns out very nice. Our favorite dips for onion rings are the good-old standby Ketchup, but also ranch. I also think sweet and sour sauce tastes nice.

  49. Darlene says:

    5 stars
    I serve mine with a side of homemade fry sauce.

  50. Darlene says:

    Love onion rings. I serve mine with a side of homemade fry sauce.

  51. Susan Reynolds says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE onion rings. I dip in ketchup or thousand island dressing

  52. Robert Gurley says:

    Cocktail Sauce (Ketchup + Horseradish)
    and/or
    1000 Island Dressing

  53. Deb says:

    I use Chic-fil-a sauce or ranch. This recipe sounds delicious!? Don’t really like the frozen ones and fresh is usually better.

  54. Sue K says:

    I have made homemade onion rings before but will definitely give this recipe a try! I usually serve with a spicy aioli dipping sauce

  55. Kara Marks says:

    I love onion rings, but I’ve never tried making them at home. My favorite sauce is comeback sauce, mainly popular in the South—it’s a mix of Mayo, Dijon and Worcestershire sauce.

  56. Joelle says:

    5 stars
    These look super yummy!! I would dip them in a remoulade sauce.

  57. LISA Chtistine Sperle says:

    5 stars
    Just made these to watch with the game. Real good and easy and I put out ketchup and ranch to dip in yummy

  58. Christine says:

    I’ve never tried to make homemade onions rings, may have to give it a try.

  59. Cindy Benson says:

    I’ve never tried making onion rings at home. Guess I’ll have to give that a try. I love to do my onion rings in a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise.

  60. Lisa Taylor says:

    5 stars
    I haven’t had good luck making onion rings, so excited to try these. My fav dipping sauce is “NOTHING”. A good onion ring doesn’t need a dip. LOL Love the emails and made a file to save them in. So not losing anything. 🙂

  61. Elizabeth says:

    Love this recipe, thanks for sharing! I usually eat my onion rings bare, but a dipping sauce of Better than Bloomin’ Onion Ring Sauce ~ with mayo – ketchup & horseradish….would make for a tasty dipping sauce!

  62. Shawna Scrivner says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe, the onion rings are crispy and delicious!!! I like to air fry them to avoid the extra oil. For my dipping sauce I’m controversial I like to mix ketchup and mustard, lol

  63. Rebecca says:

    4 stars
    Really easy and yummy recipe. l make my own onion rings and fries. We pare onion rings with honey mustard dressing or ranch dressing.

  64. Lisa Clayton says:

    5 stars
    I love a zesty onion ring dipping sauce and I’ve tried to make them vefore but not successful

  65. Jennifer Schalk says:

    I have never tried to make homemade
    fried onion rings. I like to use a horseradish-based dipping sauce.

  66. Rachel says:

    5 stars
    I would use Ranch for dip.

  67. Jill says:

    5 stars
    I love a good onion ring! Can’t wait to try and make these!

  68. Libby says:

    5 stars
    They look great. Love these instead of the frozen ones, Will be making these. Our Thanksgiving we make a veggie tray.

  69. mary avey says:

    5 stars
    I am going to be making clam chowder for New Years day and this will be an added recipe to go with it. It looks very easy, “which is right up my alley” . On Thanksgiving, I made your ham and cheese sliders with Turkey slices added to it and it was a huge hit…thanks, Mary Avey

  70. Leslie says:

    5 stars
    Looks delicious definitely going to try it and seems easy to make. I love the sauce u get at burger king whenever you order onion rings…. anyone know that recipe????

  71. Cindy Benson says:

    I’m usually a deviled egg person for Thanksgiving apps. I’ve also done bacon wrapped lil smokies. Those are always a real hit with the men in the crowd. Lol!

  72. Brandi Stockdale says:

    5 stars
    These look wonderful! Can’t wait to try them!

    For Thanksgiving appetizers, we like a cheeseball with crackers, deer meat summer sausage and cheese with crackers, hot ranch crackers, etc.

    I have tried many of your recipes, but the one I keep coming back to to make over and over is your Taco Seasoning mixture. We love it so much better than the bought packets! ? I appreciate all you do to make cooking easy, yummy and fun for everyone!

  73. Kim says:

    We like a veggie tray with broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, black at green olives and sweet pickles.

  74. Crystal says:

    My kids and I make soup on thanksgiving and have cornbread for the side. It’s a very simple meal but we enjoy it a lot. And have shared it with friends who have to work. They always enjoy it as well. Weren’t able to do it this year due to financial struggles. Hopefully this year brings a better year to my family and all who read this. I definitely look forward to trying the onion rings recipe. It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t require fancy equipment to make it. Thank you for sharing it with us. Have a wonderful day.

  75. Belinda Pearson says:

    5 stars
    I do not usually serve appetizers for the holidays. We usually eat dinner and then I have homemade dessert mixed with some bought desserts for later after everyone’s stomachs are less full. I haven’t made this onion ring recipe but I am definitely going too. I ready printed it out so that I can go buy my ingredients. I love onion rings better than French fries. Can’t wait to make these, they look so delicious.

  76. Mona Terrell says:

    These are so good& easy to make. Better than frozen onion rings.

  77. Jane says:

    I have made homemade onion rings, but I will try your recipe. Seems easier from your recipe.

    For Thanksgiving appetizer, I had chicken in a biscuit crackers, cheese, homemade avocado dip and chips and veggie tray with cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, celery cauliflower.

    I made the crock pot mashed potatoes from your recipe–easy-peezy and came out great.

    I have made several of your recipes–my fav is the easy lasagna, ravioli crock pot. Delicious and easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you

  78. Carrie Barnard says:

    yes, it would work great.

  79. Hannah says:

    These look great. I don’t like the frozen onion rings, either. They have zero onion taste–more like cardboard and a slimy center. Blek!

    Would regular bread crumbs work just as well as Panko bread crumbs?