Onion rings are a classic fried treat that is so easy to make homemade. This beer-battered recipe for onion rings is the perfect side dish, snack, or appetizer. With just a few ingredients you can make the best batter for dipping your onion slices into for great homemade onion rings. This recipe calls for beer along with flour and various spices for a ton of flavor and a thick batter that fries up puffy, crispy, and is so tasty. These onion rings are vegan, tasty, and much better than Burger King or Sonic.
While other recipes call for dipping the onion rings into buttermilk and then into a breading or coating, these are a traditional battered version. This is the ideal recipe for anyone that wants to make onion rings without bread crumbs. These are more old-fashioned and are like the onion rings that have been around for decades. They are then fried in a deep fryer for a quick cook that ensures the onion is cooked just right. They are way better than frozen and quick to make so make your own tasty onion rings the next time you have a craving.
What to Serve with Onion Rings
Onion rings go with so many foods and are also a great appetizer. Traditionally they are found on fast food, burger joint, or bar menus. They are also popular at fairs and festivals where fried food booths are plentiful. They are great for parties or when watching some sports at home. Ideal for when you want a great snack so you feel you are at a stadium or bar enjoying the big game.
When we make them at home it is often to go with hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers, or chicken nuggets. Below is a photo of my grain-free chicken nuggets and hot honey along with these crispy beer-battered onion rings. For these recipes, check out:
GRAIN-FREE FRIED CHICKEN NUGGETS
Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings with Grain-Free Chicken Nuggets and Hot Honey
How to Make Easy Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Here are the few ingredients you need for this quick recipe. For the beer-batter, you need a beer, preferably an ale, flour, some spices, and a large onion ( or 2 medium).
Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings Ingredients
Cutting the Onions
First, trim the ends off the onion. Next, peel the onion skin off and then slice into rings. Make each ring about ⅓" thick. If you want thicker or thinner, you can do that but keep in mind the cooking time will be altered. For this recipe, the timing for how long to fry in the deep fryer is based on rings that are ⅓" thick. It takes about 4-5 minutes for this size to cook in batches. For a ½" thick try only 3-4 minutes and for thicker, try 6+ minute total. Keep in mind, you will want to cook them on both sides and flip them using tongs once half the cooking time is over so they are golden brown all around.
Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings Dry ingredients
Mixing the Beer-Batter
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients.
To the dry ingredients, pour in the 1 cup of beer. Whisk or stir briskly together so that a smooth batter forms. It will be a slightly thick batter (think pancake batter) as seen below.
Beer-Batter is Ready
Fry the Onion Rings
At this point heat up your electric deep fryer, or vegetable oil into a deep pot on your stove. You will want at least 3" deep of frying liquid. Once it reaches 375°, the oil is ready for frying.
Dip onion rings into the batter one by one to coat. Immediately, gently place the coated onion ring into the hot fry oil. BE CAREFUL to not drop it in as it will splatter and could burn you. Depending on the size of your fryer or pot, place a few onion rings in at a time to cook together. Do not overcrowd the oil as it will bring the temperature down. About 4-5 at a time should be about right.
Dipping the Onions into Beer-Batter
Fry the onion rings in batches until all are golden brown. Remove with metal tongs. Salt them as they come out and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel so they can drain a bit. Enjoy immediately while they are still hot.
Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings
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Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings PIN
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Homemade Beer-Battered Onion Rings
Equipment
- deep fryer
Ingredients
- 1 C all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 large onion or 2 medium
- 1 C beer ale
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- First, trim the ends off the onion. Next, peel the onion skin off and then slice into rings. Make each ring about ⅓″ thick. (see information above if you want a thicker or thinner ring and cooking times)
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients.
- To the dry ingredients, pour in the 1 cup of beer. Whisk or stir briskly together so that a smooth batter forms. It will be a slightly thick batter - like pancake batter. See above for a photo.
- At this point heat up your electric deep fryer, or vegetable oil into a deep pot on your stove. You will want at least 3″ deep of frying liquid. Once it reaches 375°, the oil is ready for frying.
- Dip onion rings into the batter one by one to coat. Immediately, gently place the coated onion ring into the hot fry oil. BE CAREFUL to not drop it in as it will splatter and could burn you. Depending on the size of your fryer or pot, place a few onion rings in at a time to cook together. Do not overcrowd the oil as it will bring the temperature down. About 4-5 at a time should be about right.
- Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Make sure to flip them over using tongs while frying so both sides become brown. Should take a total of 4-5 minutes for each batch. Remove them from the hot oil with metal tongs.
- Salt them as they come out and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel so they can drain a bit. Enjoy immediately while they are still hot.
THIS RECIPE WAS SHARED ON THE WEEKEND POTLUCK!
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Charlene says
I honestly had no idea that this was something I could make at home, but then again, I'm new to the kitchen (thanks, COVID!) I love getting onion rings when I eat out. This could be a lifesaver!
Angela says
Yeah, so give this a try. I would love to hear how it turns out since you are learning.
Beth Shields says
Oh my goodness - I love a good onion ring and these look delicious. Could almost smell them as I was reading the post. Thanks so much.
Angela says
Thanks for the fun comment - they do smell amazing when you make them.
Cindy Mailhot says
Those look so good. Grab me a burger or a hot dog to go with and I am in heaven.
Angela says
Sounds perfect to me.
Katelyn says
These are mouth watering! My family loves onion rings.
Holly says
I'm so excited to try this recipe.. I have never made homemade onion rings before and this looks so easy and delicious! Pinned for later!
Angela says
Thanks for pinning.
Sabrina DeWalt says
I love onion rings with horseradish sauce. Can't wait to test this recipe.
Angela says
I have not tried these with horseradish sauce but that sounds good, thanks.
Alexis Farmer says
I need to try this recipe! I tried making onion rings in the air fryer awhile back but it was an epic fail.
Angela says
Oh no, I hope this recipe works for you and is a big tasty success.
Emily Ackerman says
Theses look soooo tasty! onion rings are def a weakness of mine!
Angela says
Ditto!
heather J Jandrue says
My husband would love these. He has been looking for the perfect onion ring to make at home. I am going to send him this. Thanks!
Angela says
I hope this is the onion ring recipe your husband has been wanting.
Kendra says
Yum! I love onion rings! Beer batter is always my fave!
Deborah says
This onion rings look really yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Angela says
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the homemade onion rings.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Hope to keep seeing you every Sunday!!
Sandra Magle says
Oh, delish. I guess we just have to learn to make our own cravings...these sound perfect! Hugs, Sandi
Angela says
A lot of homemade treats these day.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I love good onion rings and these look amazing!! I hope you stop over and share them at the What's for Dinner party.