Air Fryer Onion Rings

These air fryer onion rings are such a fun appetizer or snack! They're crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and filled with sweet onion flavor.

If you’re looking to refresh your repertoire of game day snacks this fall, look no further: these air fryer onion rings are exactly what you need! They’re crispy on the outside, melty in the middle, and filled with sweet and savory onion flavor that will keep you coming back for more. In my opinion, they’re just as good, no, better, than regular onion rings, and they’re way less of a hassle to make at home. Fun, tasty, and fairly healthy, too, these air fryer onion rings are one of our new favorites.

Air Fryer Onion Rings Recipe Ingredients

This recipe comes together with a handful of basic ingredients:

• Onions, of course! You’ll need 1 large yellow onion to make this recipe.
• Flour and eggs – They bind the panko breading to the onions.
• Panko breadcrumbs – They create the onion rings’ crispy, crunchy coating.
• Onion powder and garlic powder – They add savory, umami flavor to the panko coating.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – It helps the onion rings become brown and crisp as they cook.
• And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Onion Rings in the Air Fryer

The main reason I prefer air frying to deep frying? It’s just so easy. No standing over a pot of hot oil, no monitoring the temperature of said oil, no figuring out how to discard it when you’re done. Without all this fuss, my method for how to make onion rings in the air fryer is super simple:

First, slice the onions. Cut them into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Then, separate the slices into rings.

Next, dredge them. Whisk together the panko, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in one bowl. Beat the eggs in another bowl, and place the flour in another. Then, dip each onion ring into the flour, followed by the egg. Finally, coat it in the breadcrumb mixture.

Then, cook! Arrange the rings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll likely need to work in batches. Drizzle the rings generously with oil and air fry at 370°F for 8 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Repeat as necessary until you’ve air fried all the onion rings.

Tip: These onion rings are best hot. Enjoy each batch as it comes out of the air fryer, or, if you prefer to serve them all at once, place all the onion rings together in the basket after you’ve cooked the last batch. At this point, they should all be cooked, so there’s no need to worry about placing them in a single layer. Air fry them for 1-2 minutes just to warm them through. Then, dig in!

Air Fryer Onion Rings Serving Suggestions

These air fryer onion rings are an addictive treat on their own, but they’re also great with dipping sauce. Serve them with mayo, ketchup, tartar sauce, vegan ranch, or creamy chipotle sauce to take them over the top.

If you want to make the onion rings part of a meal, serve them as a side dish with any burger or sandwich. We love them with these veggie burgers, black bean burgers, and BBQ jackfruit sandwiches. Enjoy!

More Favorite Appetizers and Snacks

If you love this recipe, try one of these tasty appetizers or snacks next:

• Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower
• Air Fryer French Fries
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Sheet Pan Nachos
• French Onion Dip
• Homemade Soft Pretzels
• Jalapeño Poppers

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Air Fryer Onion Rings

rate this recipe:

4.84 from 30 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Serves 4

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These air fryer onion rings are such a fun appetizer or game day snack! They're crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and filled with sweet and savory onion flavor.

Equipment

• Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups panko bread crumbs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ heaping teaspoon sea salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 yellow onion, sliced into ½-inch rings
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Tartar Sauce, optional, for dipping

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• On a rimmed tray, mix the panko, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. In a small shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Place the flour in another small bowl.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370°F.
• Dip each onion ring into the flour, then tap to remove any excess flour. Dip it in the egg, coat with the panko mixture, and then place on a large plate.
• Drizzle the onion rings with olive oil and transfer them right into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each ring. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Work in batches if necessary. Air fry for 8 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Repeat with remaining onion rings. Serve with tartar sauce, if desired.

Notes

Tip: Once all batches are finished, toss them all back into the air fryer (no need to place in a single layer this time) for 1 to 2 minutes to warm any that got cold from the first batch.