Skip the oil and make these crispy and golden Firecracker Onion Rings in the oven instead. Serve the fresh from the oven with your favorite dipping sauces as a lighter appetizer or a mouthwatering side dish for burgers, hot dogs, steaks and more. The cooking technique gives a lighter finish and you won't miss the conventional frying flavor at all.
Firecracker Onion Rings
How much do we love onion rings? Let me count the ways....we love, love, love 'em. We order them as an appetizer for dipping or stacked high on burgers, barbecue and steaks. When it comes to onion rings, there are basically two schools of thought. Onion rings are typically battered or breaded, and I've even seen both but, of course, there are countless variations. In fact, Bon Appetit has a browned butter onion ring recipe you can see here.
Skip the Oil and Oven "Fry" Instead
These onion rings are breaded and oven fried, so, they're much lighter than their usual deep fried counterparts and the panko breading makes them extra crispy. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces such as Southern comeback sauce, or homemade yum yum sauce on the side. They're easy to make and easy to love. If you're a fan of air frying checkout this tutorial from Southern Living on how to make air fryer onion rings here.
So crispy and golden!
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Firecracker Onion Rings
Ingredients
- 1 jumbo sweet onion OR 2 large onions, sliced
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce
- 3 ½ teaspoon Creole Cajun or Old Bay seasoning, divided
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cups self rising flour
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups panko bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoon canola oil
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Peel onion and slice into ¼ inch slices. Separate the rings.
- In a bowl, or large plastic storage bag, mix together the buttermilk, hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning.
- Add the onion rings. Soak for 30 minutes in the refrigerator turning occasionally.
- To prepare: Preheat the oven to 450°F and line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Spray liberally with cooking spray. (Have nearby an extra pan, if needed)
- Remove onion rings from marinade. Reserve 1 cup of the marinade. Add to beaten eggs. Discard the rest.
- On a plate, mix 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper with flour.
- On a separate plate, mix 1 ½ teaspoon seasoning, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon kosher salt into panko breadcrumbs. Toss mixture with canola oil. Mix thoroughly.
- Dip the onion rings into seasoned flour, then into egg-buttermilk wash, then into the panko bread crumbs.
- Arrange side by side on the prepared baking sheets. Lightly spritz breaded onion rings with cooking spray.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully turn and continue to bake for an additional 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Rotate pans from top to bottom shelves, if needed.
- Sprinkle with additional seasoning immediately after baking, if desired. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
- To deep fry: Follow the same procedure and cook in small batches in peanut oil or canola that is at 350-360°F.
- Place onto a baking sheet on paper towels to drain and into a 225°F oven to keep warm while frying additional batches.
Notes
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Teresa
Directions very complicated.
Melissa
Thank you Rachel!
Rachel Page
Nice and crispy onion rings. they look quite addictive
BethG@OuttaThePark
This recipe has me totally inspired! Love that you use buttermilk and that you can get that crispy result from baking. Will be trying this one for sure. Pinning it now as a reminder!
Melissa
I've never had any trouble getting the breading to stick on these onion rings when baking. However, if you should choose to deep fry these or any breaded item, it could be a bit more challenging.
Hope
May I make a small suggestion, add instant potato flakes to the egg/buttermilk wash about 2 tablespoons. Allow to sit 10 mins for the flakes to absorb, then proceed to dip onion slices in. This creates a coating that sticks better to the rings and the panko then sticks better. If you deep fry, I use a very large but heavy bottom skillet with 2 inches of vegetable oil to fry. Unbelievably crispy even after they sit, should you have any leftover. I call them crack rings. LOL
Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick
Hi! I’m new follower of your blog and would like to invite you to join me at my weekly Clever Chicks Blog Hop:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/04/clever-chicks-blog-hop-29-and-jewelry.html
I hope you can make it!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
Melissa
Hi Kathy, it's great to meet you. I just stopped by your blog, and I'm looking forward to your postings. Thanks for stopping by. ~ Melissa
Melissa
Hi Linda! Oh, I hope you enjoy them my friend..Didi's meatloaf looks spectacular. Love to you, Melissa
Linda
Hey Melissa, I'm planning on making these with Didi's meatloaf this weekend. Just need to come up with a veggie side. Can't wait to taste, my mouth is watering just looking at my shopping list. I'll report back for sure.
Melissa
Hey Linda! My fridge is almost never without buttermilk, if you lived nearby I'd send you some. 🙂 Enjoy, friend! ~ Melissa
Linda
Been waiting for you to post this recipe. They look super fabulous Melissa. Gonna get me some buttermilk (which I need for your tamale casserole anyway) and get to work. Love, love that you baked them! So up my alley. Thanks!
Vicky Elizabeth
i enjoy tyring your recipes...they are easy to follow...and always turn out <3
mzzterry
these look and sound wonderful, even now (before i have even finished morning coffee)
Melissa
Hello Vicky, thank you! I consider that high praise, so happy you're enjoying them. Thanks for stopping by to let me know, I appreciate it. ~ Melissa
Melissa
mzzterry, Thank you so much! I appreciate your visit. ~ Melissa
Melissa
Hi Jamie! Perfect for burgers, hope you like them.:) ~ Melissa
Jamie Beecham
Thank you Melissa for these good looking onion rings. I am grilling burgers today so I believe I will have this as my side