Making Crispy Onion Rings

Chef John's recipe for onion rings is so easy and amazingly crispy. You can now make up for all those years of deep-fried denial by cooking these at home.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 179 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons dry potato flakes
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup chilled club soda
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs, or as needed
• 2 large onions, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices and separated into rings
• fine salt to taste
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 0.25 cup cornstarch

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Whisk together flour, cornstarch, potato flakes, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in club soda to make a smooth batter. Place bread crumbs in a shallow pan.

Step 3

Working in batches, dip onion rings into batter, then press in bread crumbs to coat.

Step 4

Cook coated onion rings, a few at a time, in hot oil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack set over paper towels to drain.

Step 5

Season with fine salt and serve hot.