Air Fryer Crispy Onion Rings (Printable)

Golden, crunchy onion rings made in an air fryer, served with a creamy garlic aioli dip.

# What Goes In:

→ Onion Rings

01 - 2 large yellow onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rings
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 cup buttermilk
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - Olive oil spray

→ Garlic Aioli Dip

11 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
02 - Separate onion slices into individual rings and set aside on a clean surface.
03 - Establish three separate bowls: combine flour with salt and pepper in the first bowl, whisk eggs with buttermilk in the second bowl, and mix panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and smoked paprika in the third bowl.
04 - Dredge each onion ring in the flour mixture, dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres properly.
05 - Place coated onion rings in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with olive oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
07 - While the onion rings cook, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, stirring until smooth and well combined.
08 - Transfer hot crispy onion rings to a serving platter and serve immediately with garlic aioli dip alongside.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Air frying cuts the oil without sacrificing that shatteringly crisp exterior you crave.
  • The panko and Parmesan coating creates such an addictive texture that you'll find yourself making this constantly.
  • Homemade garlic aioli tastes nothing like bottled versions and turns a simple appetizer into something special.
  • Ready in 35 minutes from start to finish, perfect for unexpected guests or last-minute cravings.
02 -
  • Don't skip the egg and buttermilk dip; it's what makes the coating stick and stay crispy instead of flaking off partway through cooking.
  • The olive oil spray matters more than you think—it's the difference between crunchy and chewy, so don't be shy with it.
  • Overlapping rings in the basket creates steam and soft spots, so work in batches if you need to.
03 -
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper in the breadcrumb mixture adds subtle heat that sneaks up on you in the best way.
  • Greek yogurt can replace up to half the mayonnaise in the aioli if you want something lighter and tangier, though it changes the texture slightly.
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