Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings (Print Version)

Golden crunchy onion rings air fried crisp, served with a creamy zesty dipping sauce for a light, flavorful treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/2 cup milk
10 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
11 - Olive oil spray

→ Dip

12 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1/4 cup sour cream
14 - 1 tablespoon ketchup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
17 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Peel the onions and slice into 1/2-inch thick rings. Separate individual rings and set aside.
02 - In a shallow bowl, blend flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
03 - Whisk eggs and milk together in a separate bowl until smooth.
04 - Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl, ready for coating.
05 - Dip each onion ring into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place breaded rings in a single layer inside the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil.
07 - Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through and re-spraying with olive oil, until golden brown and crisp.
08 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper to taste until smooth.
09 - Serve the hot, crispy onion rings immediately alongside the prepared creamy dip.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that deep-fried crunch without the mess or guilt of a pot full of oil.
  • The dip comes together in under two minutes and tastes better than anything from a bottle.
  • These reheat beautifully in the air fryer, so leftovers actually stay crispy.
02 -
  • If you skip the oil spray, the panko stays pale and chewy instead of turning crisp and golden.
  • Flipping them halfway through isn't optional, the bottom side needs direct heat to match the top.
  • Don't walk away during the last two minutes, they go from perfect to burnt faster than you think.
03 -
  • Use the thickest rings for the main batch and save the thin ones to snack on while you cook, they crisp up faster and are dangerous to have around.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check them at the nine-minute mark to avoid burning, every machine has its own personality.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon over the rings right before serving wakes up the flavor and cuts through the richness.

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