Touchdown Crispy Onion Rings

The first time I made these for a Super Bowl party, my friend Mike actually stopped mid conversation and said wait, did you seriously make these from scratch. People expect frozen onion rings at game day gatherings, but homemade ones hit differently.

Last summer my sister was visiting and we decided to have a fancy appetizer night on the back porch. We ended up eating so many of these rings while standing over the stove that we barely had room for dinner.

Ingredients

• Large yellow onions: Sweet yellow onions work best here, they caramelize slightly while frying for that perfect sweet-savory balance
• Buttermilk: This is the secret to tender onions that do not get mushy, the acidity works magic
• Panko breadcrumbs: Japanese style breadcrumbs create that restaurant style exterior that stays crispy longer than regular crumbs
• Smoked paprika: Adds this subtle smoky depth that makes people ask what is in the coating
• Fresh herbs for ranch: Chives and parsley make the dressing bright and fresh, cutting through the richness

Instructions

Set up your dipping station:

Get three shallow bowls going: one with flour mixed with baking powder and spices, one with buttermilk and eggs whisked together, one with plain panko. The order matters: flour, wet, crumbs.

Prep the onions:

Peel those onions and slice into thick half inch rings. The thicker they are, the more satisfying the bite. Separate them all into individual rings now before your hands get messy.

Coat each ring:

Dredge through flour first, shaking off excess, then dip in the buttermilk mixture, finally press into the panko. Press firmly so the crumbs really stick.

Heat the oil:

Pour about two inches of vegetable oil into a heavy pot. You want it at 350 degrees, hot enough that a drop of batter sizzles immediately but does not burn.

Fry in batches:

Cook the rings for about two to three minutes per side. Do not crowd the pot or the oil temperature drops and you get soggy rings.

Drain and season:

Lift them out with a slotted spoon onto paper towels. Hit them with a little salt immediately while they are hot and glistening.

Whisk the ranch:

Combine mayo, sour cream, buttermilk and all those herbs and spices. Let it chill in the fridge for at least fifteen minutes so flavors meld.

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My dad has requested these for every family gathering since I first made them. Something about pulling apart a tower of crispy rings just makes people happy.

Getting Extra Crunch

Double coating these onion rings creates that armor like crunch that restaurant fries have. After the first full coating sequence, dip them back in buttermilk and panko one more time. It takes longer but the texture is ridiculous.

Making Them Ahead

You can slice and bread the onion rings up to four hours before frying. Keep them on a parchment lined baking sheet in the fridge. The ranch actually gets better after a day in the fridge, so make that the night before.

Serving Ideas

These onion rings are the ultimate crowd pleaser at parties. Set up a whole dipping station with the ranch plus some spicy ketchup or even a quick sriracha mayo.

• Season the hot rings immediately with flaky sea salt for extra texture
• Try adding some cayenne to the flour mixture if your crew likes heat
• Keep them warm in a 200 degree oven while you finish the batches

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Nothing beats that first bite through the shattering crust into the sweet onion within. These are going to disappear fast.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I achieve extra-crispy onion rings?

For extra crunch, double-dip the onion rings by repeating the flour and buttermilk steps before coating with panko breadcrumbs.

→ What oil temperature is best for frying?

Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) to ensure the onion rings cook evenly and turn golden brown without absorbing excess oil.

→ Can I add a spicy flavor to the coating?

Yes, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture provides a subtle spicy kick to the onion rings.

→ How should I store the dressing if made in advance?

The ranch dressing can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days, maintaining its fresh flavors.

→ What are the best pairings for these onion rings?

These crispy onion rings pair wonderfully with cold beer, lemonade, or any favorite beverage for a perfect snack experience.