Air Fryer Crispy Onion Rings (Printable Version)

Crispy air-fried onion rings paired with smooth garlic aioli for a tasty appetizer.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Olive oil spray

→ Garlic Aioli Dip

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and set aside
03 - Create three separate bowls: combine flour with salt and pepper in the first; whisk eggs with buttermilk in the second; mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and smoked paprika in the third
04 - Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure the coating adheres properly
05 - Place coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil
06 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding
07 - While onion rings cook, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, stirring until smooth
08 - Serve hot crispy onion rings immediately with garlic aioli dip presented on the side

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Air fryer magic means crispy outside, tender inside, without the oil splatters that haunt your stovetop.
  • The homemade garlic aioli takes five minutes but tastes like you spent an afternoon on it.
  • It's the kind of appetizer that disappears before dinner even starts, every single time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the buttermilk soak or your coating will be thick and cakey instead of staying light and crispy.
  • The oil spray makes all the difference in an air fryer, so don't assume you can skip it just because you're using less oil than traditional frying.
03 -
  • Room temperature egg mixture coats way better than cold straight from the fridge, so pull it together a few minutes before you start breading.
  • If your panko mixture is clumping, it's usually because your hands are too wet or the Parmesan is too humid, so keep everything as dry as possible.
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